A few saturdays back(in late may)I wanted to get as far away as possible from the city so I went to Blue Mountain reservation in Peekskill, NY. You can hike or bike ride (mountain bike actually) through 20 miles of trails of different skill levels and they are marked, yellow for beginners, orange for intermediate and red for advanced.It's not a stroll through the park this is for mountain and dirt bikes because you are going to go through dirt, up hills, and over rocks and branches. Make sure you have a good cushioned seat or you will regret it later. And bring at least 2 liters of water and some Off insect repellant because you'll will get thristy and there are swampy areas here(for mosquitoes).  Don't worry about getting lost because all the pathways will end up back to at least one of the parking lots or the main streets.

I took the metro-north from 42 street to the Peekskill train station. If you are taking your bike be sure to get a bike permit from window 27 at the 42 st station for 5 dollars because the conductor on the train may ask for it, espeically if the train is crowded.

Anyway after I got off at the Peekskill train station, I asked a postman who happened to be there at the time where the park was. He gave me good directions and I got to the park in 13 mintues on my bike. Once I got there it was another 2 mintues to the bike trail and I was off.

After 30 mintues I was already out of breath. It was a whole lot harder than riding in the concrete jungle and this was on the beginner trail. But at least I didn't have to worry about doors opening from cars or getting mowed down by taxis. But after a while I got used to it, and I stopped ocasionally to enjoy the sounds and sites of nature(and to catch my breath). During my ride I saw tiny frogs, a bright (almost neon colored) orange bird. I tried to take a picture of it but it was too fast (stupid camera phone!!#$#%^&!). But later on I saw a deer. I stopped and looked at it as quietly as I could. The deer stopped and looked at me for a moment and I thought it was going to bolt out of there (there is a shooting range on the other side of the park). But the Deer just looked at me flicked it's tail and ate some grass. I even moved as close as I could possibly get and took the Deer's picture. I watched the Deer for about 10 mintues (and to catch my breath). Then I rode on.

I rode through the park for four hours and I wasn't even half way through all the trails. But I certainly got a good work out, and I would visit the park again a little earlier so I could finish the rest of the trails. It was almost 8pm when I got home.  When I took a shower I had bruises in places and my chest was sore from breathing so hard but I felt great.

"You know that 'natural' insect repellant is not working when the mosquitoes are following you."

-Tigoness