(Fri. 6/15/12) Perkins Memorial Tower on Bear Mtn., NY (Phone Update)

This was one of the few days that I was able to actually talk to Brett for a while. He was on top of a mountain looking at the New York City skyline off in the distance. Brett said he hoped to walk 12 miles to a campsite that was supposed to have a good view of the skyline. He said that having a shorter day of hiking should be worth seeing the city skyline at night. Brett said he got a little emotional looking at the skyline. He was looking at a big spot on the map, a place that everyone knows and he walked all the way there.

Brett was at Perkins memorial Tower and said he would cross the Hudson River the next day. He would also be hiking through a zoo (Trailside Museum and Zoo-the trail goes right through it, so there is no fee for hikes just passing through). He would hike about 12 miles to stay in the field by a monastery (Graymoor Spiritual Life Center).

(Tue. 6/12/12) NY (Phone Update)

I apologize for those who may have been waiting to hear updates from from Brett for the past month. I have not had easy access to a computer during that time. In addition, I have not had very much communication with Brett. Most of the problem has been cell phone reception. But Brett also may not have called as much because he did not want to interrupt my time with family, and finding time when he was not hiking and when I was at home to talk to him without being surrounded by family was a little difficult.

During this short phone call Brett did not let me know his location.  He crossed into New York two days before. He was staying in the basement of a church with a kitchen and was taking a walk to the grocery store to get some snacky food. He decided to take a zero day. Brett said he was ready for one; besides, it was going to be raining all day.

Brett said that there were no more outfitters around for him to easily get supplies. He asked me to start looking for some things for him. He second pair of shoes were going out. I ended up shipping him a new pair of shoes, sock liners, hiking pole tips, and a smaller pair of underwear.

Brett has lost 45 pounds and now weighs close to 195 pounds.

(Sun. 6/10/12) High Point State Park, NY (Phone Update)

Brett called fairly late (for him) from High Point State Park. The park is actually located in New York, but the trail is not quite done with New Jersey. He should cross the official NJ/NY border soon and spend about a week hiking New York. This was, sadly, a very short phone update. I think Brett was started to fall asleep on the phone. He's working hard!