Always a glutton for punishment, the day after I drug Kevin all over lower Manhattan, Beth and I planned a hiking trip with our friend Amy. This little adventure had been set into motion weeks before and, no matter how tired I was, I wasn't getting out of it. Besides, I really wanted to get out of the city.

I took them up to one of my favorite hikes in Harriman State Park. I nice little ridge scramble with fantastic views of Bear Mountain to the north and the Hudson River Valley to the east. The payoff is a gentle downhill return along an old fire access road. Years before, I had sent Beth and Amy on an unguided attempt of this trail but, they got lost and ended up riding the carousel at the Bear Mountain Lodge. No detours this time — everything went off without a hitch. Outside of some turkey vultures tearing apart a recently departed ground hog and higher than expected temperatures, a good time was had by all.