Backpacking By Train

This weekend we hopped a train to the Appalachian Trail stop from the Metro North railroad line, complete with our loaded backpacks and our dog and went backpacking from the City. It was such a bizarre experience to hit the trail right from a train. The train ride was less than 2 hours, and it left Harlem at 8 am, so we were on the trail hiking by 10:30 or so. We weren't really sure what to expect...but were pleasantly surprised. I am devastated to report that while I remembered the camera, and even charged the battery the night before, I ummmm left the charged battery sitting on the desk. So no pictures, even though it was an overcast day, the light was great and the changing scenery was quite beautiful.
The kids hiked the farthest they have hiked yet on a backpacking trip--3.5 miles each way. The trail went through several different environments, so it was great to have that changing scenery to keep you going. First was a wetlands area, with several sections of the trail on boardwalks to keep you out of the muck. In this section much of the foilage was so high it was over our heads--large rush type plants, grasses and bamboo-like stalks. Next was a climb through a hardwood forest. Then came a section of meadow--actually old farmland converted back to its natural state. Along this stretch we found grapes and raspberries, old rock walls covered with moss and Maya made beautiful bouquets of wildflowers. It was full of butterflies, dragonflies and birds. Then next to a huge old oak tree we crossed a road for the final climb in rocky, older growth forest with lots of frogs and a salamander or two to a shelter. We have never stayed at a backpacking shelter, but decided to just for the novelty of it. It was lovely! It had only 3 sides and a sloped roof. Wasn't quite tall enough for an adult to stand up in and it was several feet off the ground with stone steps to climb in. Didn't have to set up the tent, there was a privy and a picnic table. So it felt like pretty cushy backpacking. We did a little scramble up to the top of the peak for a view of the surrounding rolling hills and saw one other party camping on top, but otherwise there were few other people. There was an unexpected rain storm in the middle of the night, so I am really glad we had the backpacks in the shelter. Didn't get wet at all, and by the time we woke up everything was dry. We all slept about 12 hours for some reason, so it was very relaxing, but with a great workout each day. The kids enjoyed the tons of acorns on the grounds, rocks to climb on and just running around outside. Maya cried when it was time to leave for home. Banchi had the time of his life, except he wasn't such a fan of the train--he trembled the whole way there while cowering under our legs. We have a new tick removal tool, but so far haven't had to use it, despite the big warning sign at the trailhead with a great blown up picture of a tick the size of a dinner plate. Yuck.
So there is our weekend. Brett and I have to stay up until 2 am a lot to finish taxes--he leaves tomorrow for CA for 7 days then the day he returns we might get to wave to each other then the kids and I leave to pick up my parents on the return to Philadelphia from Europe. Crazy life we are leading these days.