We stopped by Zhuang Yan Temple on the way to Adirandack park. It was early morning, the temple was almost empty. We were the first visitors there. It was drizzling.
7 years ago, I visited there, had Temple Lunch for $5. But this time was too early for that.
They seem like preparing a big event.
It was a nice feeling walking in the tranquil path there.
Suddenly we saw this mist rising above the lake which gave this place an extremely beauty.
Ben and Mimi
The next stop was Albany
The city Albany was empty as well. Only four of us there, Ben, Su, Mimi and me, as if we owned it.
We walked in there. The underground is connected to other buildings, bus stations were there as well.
After arrived camping site, set up our tents, we took a walk around the camping site.
We set up a fire, then we thought we needed some sweet potatoes, and corn
Ben drove us to 15 miles away, found this supermarket, got what we wanted
The next day, everybody was ready for a serious hike. Leaders were planning our routes
The day was beautiful! We arrived our start point, parking our cars there.
The parking lot was packed. Many people were up there doing serious hikes.
Dividing groups, I joined the intermediate one. This is our leader Marjorie
This is the trail we are going to do, starting from the right up point, Upper Wolfjaw, Armstrong, and Gothics are our goals.
Departing
Those are the mountains we are going to climb
Golf course
We followed the longest group, however we were called back and told we should turn right side of the trail. We said Goodbye to the other group. "See ya guys tonight!" The time was: 9:51am
We met four women from Canada, were asking for some infomation.
It was a difficult trail like this all the way to the end. This is Mandy.
The next one is CiCi.
We started to get our payoff from this point! It was 1:58pm. We were hungry and tired, but very happy to see this view.
Six of us had lunch at Upper Wolfjaw. 2:12pm (From left: CiCi, me, Marjorie, David, Mandy,Jeff and his shoes)
Marjorie took a good shot of us! I Love this picutre!
"How do I climb this one?"
Second peak Armstrong.
It was overwhelming.
Six of us approached our second peak. I was taking the picture.
David --it was his first time serious hike. He was doing great!
Our pretty lady Mandy
Our leader Marjorie!
Marjorie, Jeff and me arrived the third peak Gothics at 4:15pm.
At the top of Gothics, (4736ft) the tenth highest mountain among 46 named ones in Adirondack park
It was late. We met only a young couple there. They told us "This is East."
We made it!
Me at Gothics
We wish we could stay there a little longer, and stop this moment, forget about work, worries, and dating guys, etc..thoroughly enjoy this pure peaceful nature.
We still have 5.5 miles to descend. We don't expect any easier than the way up. We have to say "Goodbye" to this beautiful scenery. It was 4:40pm.
I didn't take many pictures when we were descending because it was getting dark. The way down was as hard as up, some parts were even harder. The good thing was we rejoined Nancy and HY. Lee's group whom we started with. It put a big smile on my face.
Rainbow Fall
This is the last shot I got. We arrived the end of trail at 8:45pm. It was the first time I used my head lamp on trail. Jeff's car was waiting for us (Nancy, Ben and me). We couldn't imagine if we had to walk another 0.5 mile to our parking lot. Thanks Jeff!! Our group were still waiting for us in the dark at the parking lot with joy. It was nice to see them all again after a long day, to share our experences afterwards.
The third day (9/1) morning, I got up early, some people were still in their tents. I was sneaking around
My little tent. The house on the back was washing place.
Chung was preparing their breakfast.
I was checking out different cooking tools for camping.
There is an old lady Branda who has been this camping site for 76 years. This is her mobile home
Here is Branda
Packing again ready to go back
I offered to take group pictures as I had mosquito bites all around my eyes.(It is not all peopel attended,some people left already. We had over 30 people this time.)
Mimi was saying Goodbye to Branda
On the way home, we got bonus from our driver Ben again, visited Saratoga.
It is hard to imagine this beautiful place used to be a bloody battle scene 230 years ago.
We had our picnic there.
Mimi was trying the old weapon. "This is heavy!"
Su was taking pictures.
Hudson river was the entrance for British soldiers to get here.
I was told that they buried dead soldiers there. This place used to be a hospital, was packed thousands of people. Can you picture this from 230 years ago? Trip ends here.
