Coxing Kill Trail

In the Mohonk Preserve outside New Paltz, NY, there are a number of beautiful and challenging trails. It’s about an hour and a half north on Rt 209 from Pecks Pond, Pa. I had been there before, in the Catskill Mountains, many years ago at a difficult time in my life. 1985 was the year my first marriage was coming unglued and so was I. I drove up from Quakertown and X-Country skied about 20 or so miles all by myself on some icy trails. Many with dangerous dropoffs. One slip and I could have terribly injured myself or more.

Anyway, today was TOTALLY different! My beautiful wife is in South Africa. I miss her terribly. She is the love of my life, but I digress. Today was a scouting out hike. There is an amazing swimming hole just 100 yards down the Yellow (Coxing Kill) trail.

The water is only 4 or 5 feet deep but so clear. Frigid now but clear. It’s not very large so I bet it gets really crowded on a hot summer weekend.

But downstream is why I came here:

There is a clothing optional section!!! I love clothing optional! There was no one there today. Just me.  🙂

So I crossed “Doug’s Bridge,

found a perfect spot on the warm granite and de-clothed. I blew up a mattress an pillow and got high on Nature. Naturally. It was AMAZING. Ever since I was a kid I have loved to be outside in my b-day suit. I just never did it. Now I do.  🙂

What a stunning spot and during the week it’s never crowded. They patrol to keep the visitors from doing stupid things. Cool. It’s $12 for the day to hike or/and swim.

What a great day. In 4 days I have my surgery. Ugh. It will slow me down for a bit but I will get to spend time with my big brother John. He’s going to help me through the op, since Landi is away.

Today was just what the doctor ordered. What a great life I have.  🙂  🙂  🙂