I arrived at Fahnestock late Saturday morning to find Sarah, Athmane and Sally having breakfast. We decided to hike a trail that leads from the campsite, and then joins another to take us around nearby Canopus Lake. It was a dense forest trail that gave us limited views of the lake and the blooming mountain laurel. We managed to find our way around to the beach where we waited for Athmane’s friends to join us. Before long, Yacine, Wabby, Mustapha, Kareem, and Athmane’s brother Moma (with his toddlers Meziane and Mokrane) made their way to the beach. We swam and played and impromptu game of soccer -- barefoot. Not having played in years, and with a younger, more experienced group, was a challenge. (I won’t be playing barefoot again anytime soon as it left my feet sore and a little swollen for a few days.)
We made our way back to the campsite and made dinner. David G arrived and joined the group. Moma, Mustapha, Kareem and the children had to leave, but Yacine and Wabby joined us for the night. Along with Athmane, they were kind enough to entertain us by playing and singing contemporary and Algerian folk songs with a guitar and drum around the campfire. It was entertaining, and much appreciated.
The next day, after we broke camp, Sarah said goodbye, but the rest of us decided to leave Fahnestock for Harriman State Park. Kayaking on one of the lakes was our goal, but after a while, Athmane, Sally and their friends decided to head home. David and I visited Lake Toriati. I was able to paddle the lake until sunset, at which time I left for home.
Ken
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