大熊山州立公园

1．

公园，是一个美丽的词汇，也是一个再普通不过的词汇，可以说是尽人皆知，因为无论在世界的什么地方，大到国家，小到城镇，乃至乡村，到处都有各具特色的公园。

然而，如果问一问，公园是否分成种类和等级，恐怕并非每个人都知道。就我所知，如果说种类，公园的种类至少可以分成天然公园和人造公园；如果说等级，至少可以分成国家公园，以及地方公园两个等级。其实这些概念并非难以理解，因此不谈也罢。但是公园的等级，似乎应该稍加说明。

顾名思义，国家公园是由国家级机构负责建造或管理的，地方级公园则是由地方机构建造或管理的。

美国是世界上最早建立国家公园体系的国家，这项工作对于保护自然环境和野生动物至关重要。美国到底有多少国家公园，如果有人告诉您，美国有61个国家公园，那么他说的并不准确，因为只是这61个公园的名字里有“国家公园”的字样。其实，美国目前一共有419个国家公园、国家保护区和国家森林，分布于美国的各个州以及美国属地，面积超过8400万亩，而且国家公园的数量还在增加。

美国国家公园都各有特色，有的美丽、有的险峻、有的荒芜，是居家旅行和悠闲娱乐最佳选择。

至于地方级公园，那更是不胜枚举。就我生活和工作过的纽约和新泽西地区而言，州立天然公园中，名声显赫者，非大熊山公园莫属。

2.

大熊山州立公园位于大纽约和新泽西北部地区，于我而言具有天然的亲和力，故而早已如雷贯耳，只是一直无缘与之亲近。也因此游览大熊山公园，一直是我的一个梦想。遗憾的是，这个梦想迟迟没有实现。

然而，迟迟未能实现，并不等于永远不能实现。只要时机成熟，梦想自然会实现。而这种梦想的实现，有时会如天降甘霖，来得美妙，来得突然，来得惊喜。
这不是，这久久没能实现的夙愿，在2021年7月4日就突然实现了，着实令人惊喜至极。

那天上午10点左右，热心的朋友萍萍及其美国友人盖瑞开车来到我家楼下，接我们去实现畅游大熊山公园的美梦。

大熊山州立公园（Bear Mountain State Park），因为此山外形酷似一只卧熊而得名。这个占地5000多英亩的公园离纽约市不远，是大纽约和新泽西北部地区徒步者的最爱。大熊山本身是一座1200英尺高的山峰，位于纽约市以北45英里处，俯瞰哈德逊河，可以了望曼哈顿北边的天际线。

公园里山峦起伏，树林茂密，山与山之间有明镜一般的小湖和蜿蜒的溪流，春夏季峰峦叠翠，郁郁葱葱；秋冬季红叶如火，云海悠悠。

如果在秋季，那可是最佳旅游季节。微风吹过，五彩缤纷的树叶细细地、簌簌地飘落，如梦如幻，美妙至极。如果在黄昏，夕阳之下的山顶观景塔显得格外壮丽，从塔上可眺望纽约曼哈顿和西点军校。那份美好与浪漫只有置身其中方能体会到。

这里为游客提供各类活动。最吸引驾车游客的就是可以从大熊山的山麓驱车直达山顶，俯瞰哈德逊河谷。如果不想驾车直达山顶，游人可以徒步登山。从山脚下的小湖边开始爬，两小时往返，再加上照相和中途休息的时间，小半天刚刚好。

此外，骑车、划船、游泳、越野长跑、高山滑雪、滑冰等等，也都是炙手可热的活动项目。再者，园中还有旅店和度假村，故而一年四季游客不断。

3.

其实，游客到大熊山公园，最大的亮点就是烧烤野餐。在这一点上，热心的萍萍与他人相比，毫不逊色。这次出行，总人数一共是六位。从我家启程的时候，车里只有四人，除了我和太太，以及萍萍之外，还有驾车者，即萍萍的美国友人盖瑞。抵达大熊山之后，我才得知，和我们一起游览大熊山公园的还大有人在，那就是萍萍的先生和读高中的儿子，只是他们早已到达那里打前站，选择最佳野餐地点。

显然，我们这次大熊山之旅的核心项目自然就是烧烤野餐。野餐地点选在大熊山东侧的湖边。具体而言，就是在湖东岸面对大熊山的草地上。开始的时候，游人并不太多，但随着时间的推移，游人越来越多，尤其是天气放晴之后，真是游人如织。我想，由于疫情影响，人们都闭门自隔，早已像被警察跪毙的非裔弗洛伊德那句名言所说“我不能呼吸”了。于是，大批游客蜂拥而至，而且早已忘记疫情尚未结束，因此几乎人人都不戴口罩，有戴者也是少数。

尤其到接近中午时分，简直是在赶庙会。每一个游览群体大都是一个家庭。野餐者，乃野外用餐之谓也，因此居家过日子用的锅碗瓢盆都被搬到美丽的大熊山湖畔来了。野餐烧烤，烧的是牛羊肉，烤的是瓜果蔬菜，饮的是啤酒果汁，美味佳肴，无与伦比。游人面对美丽的自然风光，大快朵颐，真乃神仙过的日子！

4．

人有种种，种种个别。而这位个别者，就是我这个笔者。也许我是得了便宜卖乖，观赏了美景，饱了口福，却还心存芥蒂。也许吧，但我心有块垒，不吐不快。

何为块垒？块垒者，乃郁积之物也。具体而言，块垒就是比喻胸中郁结的愁闷或气愤。《世说新语·任诞》载：王孝伯问王大：“阮籍何如司马相如？”王大曰：“阮籍胸中垒块，故需酒浇之”。阮籍心怀不平，经常饮酒浇愁。后来经常用这个词来指代有才华得不到施展，无可奈何，借酒消愁。

诚然，我在这里所指的心中的块垒并非愁闷和气愤，而是一种环保忧患意识。此话怎讲？其实从一到大熊山湖滨那一时刻起，我心中就隐隐地产生一种忧虑，因为我举目观看湖对面的大熊山时，突然发现在郁郁葱葱的林木之间，有为数不少的枯树。那一株株干枯僵直的枝干，犹如令人毛骨悚然的骷髅。由于颜色的鲜明对比，显得格外刺眼。

我心中暗自思忖，何以在诸多翠绿欲滴的树木之间会出现死亡的骷髅？是因为天气太过干旱，还是因为缺乏水分？亦或别的什么原因？一时间我还想不通，也许永远也不会得到答案。然而，有一点是可以肯定的，那就是这里的自然环境，一定受到了什么负面影响。

然而，此时此刻，我突然把目光转向身边不计其数的野餐烧烤点，不仅感慨万分。我们人类在这里推杯换盏，口福大饱之际，对置身烟熏火烤之中所受的伤害却麻木不仁。我们手撸肉串，满嘴流油之际，周遭的绿草红花，以及波光粼粼的湖水，还有远山翠绿欲滴的林木，都该有何感受？呜呼，我们人类在享受大自然恩赐的礼物时，只顾自己闷头忘情地享受，而对于自然环境的污染，考虑得是何其少啊！

面对这片美丽的湖水，我情不自禁地想起位于马萨诸塞州的世界级游览景点瓦尔登湖。我曾经翻译过梭罗传世名著《瓦尔登湖》。我在译序中就曾经对环境污染大发感慨。

我写道：自上个世纪初以来，由于人类活动所造成的生态破坏，瓦尔登湖已经遭遇严重的水体富营养化，也就是氮磷等营养物质大量进入水域，导致藻类及其他浮游生物迅速繁殖，使得水质恶化，水中生物大量死亡。

究其原因，五花八门。除了19世纪的火灾、伐木和20世纪的杀虫剂三次重大劫难，还有生活废料的滥排滥放、滨湖产业的快速发展、有机农药的排放，以及气候变暖等。然而，这只是全部原因的一小部分，另一大部分原因则是游泳者的尿液。

统计显示，每年夏天，大约有五十万游客和游泳爱好者前往瓦尔登湖。假设在六、七、八这三个月份中，一共有二十七万游客，其中 80% 是泳客，泳客中 50% 在湖中小便，而他们在湖中的排尿量占到每日总排尿量的 10%，一年时间下来他们就向湖中输送大约 290 公斤的氮和 8.7 公斤的磷。

远方的瓦尔登湖遭到包括人尿在内的污物之污染，使我联想到眼前的大熊山湖。这里虽然没有人在湖中游泳，也就没有人在湖中撒尿，但却有众多的游客在乘坐游艇，快乐地游弋在明镜一般的湖水中。我望着排队等候乘船的游客排成的长龙，不禁为这片湖水捏一把汗。但愿这里不会发生瓦尔登湖那样的污染悲剧。

5．

本文写到此处，本可做结。然而还有一个关于盖瑞的故事，令我再次慨然命笔。

盖瑞，何许人也？盖瑞，乃美国退休警察是也。警察，并非稀罕之物，因为在世界各地，凡有人群的地方，恐怕都不会有警察缺位。何为警察？警察乃以正制邪之群体也，因此完全应该受到社会和人们的尊重。

然而，在当今的美国，却别是一番“美丽风景”（美国众议院议长佩洛西评论香港乱象时的评语），原来不啻香饽饽的警察，现如今却成了某些社会群体人人喊打的过街老鼠。

曾几何时，有一位名叫弗洛伊德的非裔男子，被警察跪毙。他在临死前一直在呼唤“我不能呼吸”，因此发生了一场如火如荼的“黑命贵”运动。一时间，狼烟四起，打砸烧抢，乃至暴力袭警，“捷报”频传。于是乎，美国警察的境遇一夜之间一落千丈。本来受国人敬重的孔武勇猛的警察，如今却宛如受气包似的小媳妇，时常受到暴力攻击，由此造成的人员伤亡，不在少数。

于是，现在的美国警察已经变成高危职业。不少警员心灰意冷，灰溜溜，戚戚然，更为离谱的是整日里战战兢兢，如履薄冰。

盖瑞，现年65岁，远在天边，近在眼前的退休警察，即是一例。在美国，警察退休年限大致分成两类，第一类，如果工作到50岁时，已经当了20年警察，必须退休；第二类，如果做警察已经达到25年，必须退休，不论年龄多大。当然这个限制比较宽松，退休年龄到了，还可继续留任，将来退休金还会有优惠。以盖瑞为例，他所拿到的退休金每月多达8000美元。不仅如此，退休之后，还可以从事新的工作。盖瑞现已退休10年，而退休之后，一直在一家法院从事与警察相关，或相似的工作，薪资不菲。可谓是美国版的“返聘”或“补差”。

盖瑞本是个开朗的人，但在如今美国警察不受待见的大气候中，他也是心情压抑。他亲口告诉我，美国警察从前受人尊敬，现在不受待见。更有甚者，还经常受到暴力攻击。他虽然从警察岗位退下，但依然是警觉之心不改。说到这里，他稍微弯下腰，把上衣撩起来。他这一撩，非同小可，因为它着实吓着了我。天哪，原来他腰间别着一支手枪！他说，今天之所以带枪而来，怕的是景区万一发生意外，他可以持枪上阵，为民除害。

我来美国之后，几乎没有和警察接触过，尤其是没有任何人向我亮出过枪支。可万万没想到，本来温情脉脉的大自然之旅，却硬生生地出现了真枪实弹，从某种意义上讲，真令这一熊山圆梦之旅大煞风景！风景大煞！

6.

要说大煞风景，其实还有更多的原因和故事。还是继续说说萍萍及其美国友人盖瑞吧。

在这次大熊山之旅的整个过程中，他们二位的关系，在我看来都十分奥妙。盖瑞虽然言辞不多，但并非木讷之辈。他当着我的面，就对萍萍“动手动脚”，时不时地捏一把，亲一下。而萍萍则是“逆来顺受”，而且美滋滋，颇具幸福感。

起初，我以为这是因为美国人不少都很率性，在男女结交时，比较随意，不太拘谨。眼前的一幕，无需大惊小怪。

然而，随着我们之间接触的深入，萍萍便逐渐吐露真言。其实，这背后还真有惊天好戏呢！原来，盖瑞是萍萍的现任男友。她和那位打前站的先生，其实早已离婚。

离婚的原因令人唏嘘。萍萍和前夫都是东北人。前夫先期来到美国拼搏。读书工作，十分自然。但就在这自然的情况下，他和萍萍的夫妻关系，却因为种种原因，自然而然地逐渐发生疏离，最后另寻新欢。于是乎，萍萍和儿子来美国之后，没过多久，这个家庭便宣布解体。萍萍和儿子一起艰难度日，前夫没多久便重新另立门户，好不快活！

萍萍凭借自己的毅力和手艺，开了一家按摩店。一直以来，生意不错，不久便买房购车，儿子也已读到中学。
就在这中间，盖瑞作为一名按摩客人，逐渐闯入萍萍的生活。如上所述，盖瑞是一名退休警察。然而何以与萍萍打得火热？其中另有辛酸。

盖瑞有个弟弟，也是警察，但不幸在一次执勤时遭到一名歹徒的枪击，以身殉职，被追认为烈士，因为弟弟生前未婚，而盖瑞便成了烈士家属。

虽然家中出了英雄，但毕竟是一件不幸的事。然而，中国的俗语“祸不单行”真乃放之四海而皆准。盖瑞的妻子后来不幸罹患癌症，已经接近晚期。妻子为他考虑，鼓励他另外建立新家。但美国法律规定，癌症患者患病时间未满5年，对方不得离婚。因此，盖瑞虽然按照妻子的愿望计划离婚，但仍处于等待时期。

可喜的是，就是在这个等待离婚的时段，盖瑞便和不幸的萍萍邂逅相遇。虽然盖瑞比萍萍大22岁，但两人同病相怜，而且真正的爱情，并不受年龄所限。

这就是萍萍的故事。听到萍萍的不幸遭遇，我对她那位前夫，油然而生一种厌恶！这不就是地地道道的现代陈世美吗？

提起现在陈世美，令人感概万分的是，这种人何止萍萍前夫一人？就我所接触的来美华人里，至少有两位现代陈世美，而且令人唏嘘的是，这两人都是当代女版陈世美。

这样的例子不在少数，现在就先说这两例吧。第一位，是我的同事。我在美国中文电视任新闻编辑时期，台里来了一位上海的男生新同事。他来美国是当妻子的陪读生。妻子在美国读书，他在上海和女儿一起度日如年，期盼夫妻早日团圆。于是妻子在美国为他办好了来美的一切手速，连工作都找好了。他和女儿兴冲冲地来到美国，但一见面，女方就摊牌，提出离婚。自认为她为丈夫和女儿在美国做好安排，并没有什么对不起他。就这样，我的这位新同事，刚一踏进美国的大门，迎接他的就是一纸离婚书！这位女陈世美啊，心可真够狠！

第二位女陈世美，就是我的朋友张迈克之妻。迈克在来美国之前，已经结婚生子，但妻子为了读书来到美国。这位成功的女士也像我新同事的妻子一样，如法炮制，同样是在美国为迈克办好相关手续，而且也找好了工作。迈克一踏进美国的大门，等着他的也是一纸离婚证书！

俗话说，有鱼没鱼市上看。中国的留学生里竟然有如此之多的陈世美，而且不乏女版陈世美，令人大跌眼镜！诚然，结婚离婚，个人自由，外人无权置喙。然而无论什么原因，恐怕都是悲剧！您说呢？

7.

说到这里，此文才真正可以结束了。但就在结束之前，尚需补充几句，说明一下我写此文的原因。

记得当时在大熊山吃烧烤的时候，我曾乘兴和萍萍说，回家之后我会写一篇文章，记述这一次美好的大熊山之旅。

说者无心，听者有意。当然我并非“说者无心”。只是没成想，萍萍一直没有忘记我的承诺。当然，我回家之后，的确想写一篇文章，倒不是为了兑现承诺，而是出自内心的愿望和习惯。但因为我觉得要把文章写好，必须有好故事，可萍萍的好故事，是否适于写进文章呢？我当时十分纠结，因为这涉及到萍萍和盖瑞的个人隐私。但如果不写这些故事，文章岂不是一篇旅游广告？这样的文章还是不写为妙。

就这样，拖了将近一个月，昨天晚上萍萍突然打来电话，要看我的文章！我一时间酷似被萍萍当头一棒。但我又不愿辜负萍萍的热心，更不愿爽约，于是我当即答应，立即动笔。

好在亲身经历，书写自己，难度不大。两三个小时左右，初稿完成。

但就在我应太太要求，为她朗读一遍之后，电脑突然出了一点小故障。整篇文章转眼之间消失得无影无踪，我的脑子嗡的一下，简直要晕倒了！我心想，这下可糟了，可能是我没有另建新页，更没有点击存档，因此才丢失。我查找好久，依然徒劳无功。

我已经心灰意冷，准备停止寻找，而后向萍萍说明，并致以歉意。然而，天可怜见！就在我心痛之际，突然打开另一篇《山居涤灵记》的散文。天啊，原来《大熊山游记》就写在那篇文章之后，好端端地在那里向我招手呢！
于是乎，我转悲为喜，立即又对初稿做了精心修改和充实，然后连续数次点击储存，生怕再度丢失。也于是乎，才有了现在这篇文章的模样，但愿萍萍能够喜欢。

2021年8月2日美国新泽西

A Journey to Bear Mountain State Park

by Song Deli

1．

Park is a beautiful word, but also a common word. It can be said that everyone knows this word, because no matter where a place is in the world, or how big or small a place is, big as a country, or small as a town, or even a village, there are parks with their own characteristics everywhere.  

If I ask, however, whether parks are divided into categories and grades, I don’t think that everyone can give me a right answer.  As far as I know, the species of parks can at least be divided into natural parks and man-made parks and the grades of parks can at least be divided into national parks and local parks.  These concepts are not hard to understand, so let's put them away.  But it seems to me that we should say something about the grade of the park.

As the name suggests, national parks are built or managed by national agencies, while local parks are built or managed by local agencies.  

The United States was the first country in the world to establish a national park system, and this work is critical to protecting our natural environment and wildlife.  How many national parks does the United States have? If someone tells you that there are 61 national parks in the United States, that's not accurate, because they just have "National Parks" in their names.  In fact, there are currently 419 national parks, national monuments, and national forests in the United States and territories covering more than 84 million acres. And the number is still growing.  

America's national parks are beautiful, rugged, and barren in their own way. This made them perfect places for travel and leisure.  

As for local parks, there are too many to account. In New York and New Jersey, where I've lived and worked, one of the most famous state parks is Big Bear Mountain.  

2.

Big Bear Mountain State Park, located in greater New York and northern New Jersey, has a natural affinity for me that I have long known, but have never been close to.  So visiting Big Bear Mountain Park has always been a dream of mine.  Unfortunately, this dream has not been realized.  

However, delay does not mean that it will never be achieved.  When the time is right, the dream will come true.  And the realization of this dream, sometimes as rain from heaven, comes wonderfully, comes suddenly and comes pleasantly with a great surprise.
So you see, this long-overdue dream finally came true, on July 4, 2021, suddenly and pleasantly.  

At about 10 o 'clock that morning, my warm-hearted friend Ping Ping and his American friend Gary drove to my house and picked my wife and me up to realize my dream of visiting Big Bear Mountain Park.  

Bear Mountain State Park is so named because the mountain resembles a lying Bear.  The 5,000-plus acre park, not far from New York City, is a favorite for hikers in greater New York and northern New Jersey.  Big Bear Mountain itself is a 1,200-foot peak 45 miles north of New York City that overlooks the Hudson River and offers a view of Manhattan's northern skyline.  

In the park, hills are rolling and woods are thick with small mirror-like lakes and meandering streams between them. Peaks are green in spring and summer; leaves are red as fire in autumn and winter with everything, sometimes, wrapped in a vast sea of clouds.  
Autumn is the best time to visit here.  With a breeze blowing over, colorful leaves are fluttering and falling, like a wonderful and magical dream.  At dusk, the hilltop viewing tower looks particularly magnificent under the setting sun, with views over Manhattan and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.  That beauty and romance can only be experienced by being in it.

There are a variety of activities for visitors.  One of the biggest attractions for motorists is the drive from the foothills of Big Bear Mountain to the top overlooking the Hudson Valley.  If you don't want to drive to the top, you can hike.  Starting from the small lake at the foot of the mountain, two hours round trip, with time for photography and rest, half a day is just right.  

In addition, cycling, rowing, swimming, cross-country running, alpine skiing, skating and so on, are also popular activities.  Moreover, there are hotels and resorts in the park, so there are tourists all year round.  

3.

In fact, for visitors to Bear Mountain Park, the biggest highlight is the barbecue.  In this point, the warm-hearted Ping Ping is not inferior compared with others.  The total number of people on this trip is six.  When we started from my home, there were only four people in the car, including my wife and I, and the Ping Ping, and her American friend Gary who was driving.  After arriving at Bear Mountain, I learned that there were still more people who visited Bear Mountain Park with us. They were Ping Ping's husband and her son who was a high school student. But the father and the son had already arrived there to choose the best picnic place.

Obviously, the centerpiece of our trip to Bear Mountain was the barbecue.  The picnic site was chosen at the lake on the east side of Bear Mountain.  Specifically, on the grass on the east side of the lake facing Bear Mountain.  At the beginning, there were not too many visitors, but as time went on, more and more visitors poured in, especially after the weather cleared up, it was really crowded with visitors.  I think, because of the epidemic, people are closed from each other, already like the famous words of Floyd who was killed after being knelt down for a long time by a policeman, "I can't breathe".  As a result, tourists had flocked to the area because they had long forgotten that the epidemic outbreak was not over, so almost everyone did not wear masks, except for only a few people did.
Especially near noon, it was simply like a temple fair.  Each group of visitors was mostly a family.  Picnickers were called outdoor meals, so the pots and pans used for family life had been moved to the beautiful lake of Bear Mountain.  Barbecue - roast beef and mutton, roast fruits and vegetables, beer and juice, in a word, all kinds of delicious food were peerless.  Visitors in the Facing the beautiful natural scenery and enjoying an excellent feast, every visitor really had the day of the gods!  

4．

Among people there are various specific individuals.  And one of them is me, the writer.  Maybe I got a good deal and enjoyed the beautiful scenery, but still feel bad. Nevertheless, there was really something, which was named lump, in my heart that I needed to talk about.

What is a lump?  A lump is a smoldering thing.  To be specific, a lump is a metaphor for depression or anger in the chest.  The ancient book New Anecdotes of Social Talk said, Wang Xiaobo asked Wang Da, "What is Ruanji like Sima Xiangru?"  Wang Da said, "Ruan Ji has a lump in his chest, so he needs to pour it with wine."  Ruan Ji was unsatisfied and often drank to drown his sorrows.  Later, the term of lump was often used to refer to people who were unable to use their talents, and who resorted to drinking.  

Indeed, what I am referring to is not sadness and anger, but a sense of environmental concern.  What do I mean?  As a matter of fact, from the moment I arrived at the lake shore of Bear Mountain, a vague anxiety had crept into my mind. When I looked up at Bear Mountain across the lake, I suddenly noticed a large number of dead trees in the lush forests.  The dry and stiff branches were like skeletons.  Because of the sharp contrast of colors, it was particularly dazzling.

Why, I thought to myself, were there skeletons of death among the green trees?  Was it because of the drought, or the lack of water?  Or something else?  I could not figure it out for a while, and I might never get an answer.  One thing was certain, however, that there must be some negative impact on the natural environment.  

However, at this moment, I suddenly turned to the countless barbecue spots around me. My heart was filled with emotion.  We humans here pushed cups and changed plates in the feasts but at the same time we were suffering the harm resulted from the pollution of smoke. But unfortunately, we did not care it at all because we already became callous about it. We were happily watching and appreciating the green grass and red flowers, the sparkling water of the lake and the green trees of the distant mountains. We were eating our meat on skewers and our mouths were full of oil. But what were the above mentioned things thinking about? Alas, when we human beings enjoy the gift of nature, we only think of ourselves but completely ignore the pollution of the natural environment!

Looking at this beautiful lake, I couldn't help but think of Walden Pond, a world-class tourist attraction in Massachusetts.  I once translated the book Walden Pond, a masterpiece of Thoreau.  In the preface, I once lamented about environmental pollution.  

I wrote that since the beginning of the last century, as a result of ecological damage caused by human activities, Walden Pond had experienced severe eutrophication, namely, nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus entered the water, and this caused rapid growth of algae and other plankton, which deteriorated the water quality and killed a lot of life in the water.  

The reasons are various.  In addition to fire and logging in the 19th century and pesticides in the 20th century, there is also the indiscriminate release of domestic waste, the rapid development of lakeside industries, the release of organic pesticides and climate change.  However, this is only a small part of the story. A large part of the story is swimmers' urine.  

Statistics showed that about half a million tourists and swimmers visited Walden Pond every summer.  Assuming that in June, July and August there were 270,000 visitors, 80% of whom were swimmers, and 50% of whom urinated in the lake, and they urinated in the lake every day for 10% of the total, over the course of a year they pumped about 290 kilograms of nitrogen and 8.7 kilograms of phosphorus into the lake.  

Walden Pond in the distance, polluted with filth including human urine, which reminded me of Bear Mountain Lake.  Although there is no one swimming in the lake, there is no one urinating in the lake, but there are many tourists in the yachts, happily cruising in the mirror-like lake.  As I looked at the long line of tourists waiting to get on boats, I couldn't help but sweat about the lake.  Hopefully there won't be a pollution tragedy here like Walden Pond.  

5．

This article could have been concluded here.  But there is another story about Gary that made me to write continuously.

Gary, who is that?  Gary is a retired policeman in the United States.  The police are not rare, because in all parts of the world, where there is a crowd, there will probably be no police vacancy.  What is police?  Police are a group of people who use good to control evil,

so they should be respected by the society and people.  

In today's America, however, there is another kind of "beautiful scenery" (Remarks by Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives, on the chaos in Hong Kong). The police, who used to be in demand, are now looked down upon by some people.  

Once upon a time, there was an Afro-American named Floyd, who was killed under the knee of a policeman.  He died crying, "I can't breathe," which led to the "Black Life Matters" movement.  For a time, burning and robbing, and even attacking police violently could be seen.  As a result, the situation of American police took a nosedive overnight.  Originally respected by the people, but now, a brave policeman sometimes is just like a doormat who is often subjected to violent attacks, or even casualties.

As a result, working as a police in America has become a high-risk profession.  Many police officers are disheartened and even more outrageous. Some of them are just like treading on thin ice all the time.  

In the United States, the retirement age of police officers is roughly divided into two categories. In the first category, if they have worked for 20 years by the age of 50, they must retire.  Second, if they have been a cop for 25 years, then they have to retire, no matter what their ages are.  Of course, this limit is relatively loose, retirement age can be prolonged, and pension will be preferential in the future.  

Taking Gary as an example, he is a 65 year old retired policeman, is one example. His pension amounts to $8,000 a month.  Moreover, after retirement, he can still be engaged in a new job.  Garry has been retired for 10 years now. Since retirement, he has been working in a court of law for a good pay.  It's the American version of "rehiring" or "making up for the shortfall."  

Gary is a cheerful man, but he is also depressed in the present political climate where American cops are frowned upon.  He told me himself that American cops used to be respected, but now they're not.  What is more, they are often subjected to violent attacks.  Although he retired from the police, he remained vigilant.  Here he bent slightly and lifted up his coat.  It was a big hit, because it scared me.  Good heavens, he had a pistol strapped to his belt!  He said that he brought his pistol that day because he thought he could fight with his weapon for the people in case of an accident in the scenic area
Since I came to the United States, I've had very little opportunities to contact with the police, and especially no one has ever flashed a gun at me.  In addition, I have never ever expected that during a soft-hearted nature journey, a real weapon should suddenly appear! In a sense, it really made this Bear Mountain journey covered by a wet blanket!

6.

The reason I said “made this Bear Mountain journey covered by a wet blanket” was that there are more stories. Let's continue to talk about Ping Ping and her American friend Gary.  

Throughout this trip to Bear Mountain, in my eyes, their relationship seemed to be very mysterious.  Gary didn't say much, but he wasn't dull.  In front of me, he touched Ping Ping, from time to time, or even pinched or kissed her.  But Ping Ping was resigned happily.
At first, I thought this was because many Americans were very spontaneous. When making friends with men and women, they are more casual and not too formal.  There is no need for us to be surprised.  

However, with the deepening of our contact, Ping Ping gradually revealed the truth.  In fact, there really was an amazing drama behind this!  It turned out that Gary was Ping Ping's current boyfriend.  She and her former husband were already divorced.  

The reasons for divorce are sad.  Both Ping Ping and her ex-husband came from northeast China.  Her ex-husband came to the United States earlier.  Studying and working were natural.  But in this natural situation, the husband and wife relationship of this couple, because of various reasons, naturally and gradually estranged. And Ping Ping’s ex-husband finally found a new love.  Therefore, after Ping Ping and her son came to the United States, it was not long before the family was declared to be disintegrated.  Ping Ping and her son live hard together, while her ex-husband set up another family not long very happily!  
Relying on her own perseverance and craft, Ping Ping opened a massage shop.  Business has been good all the time, and soon she bought a house and a car, and her son went to middle school.  

Just at this critical moment, as a massage guest, Gary gradually entered Ping Ping's life.  As mentioned above, Gary is a retired police officer.  However, why to hit hot with Ping Ping?  There is also bitterness.  

Gary had a brother who was also a policeman, but unfortunately he was shot to death by a gangster while on duty. He was considered a martyr. Because his brother was unmarried, Gary became a martyr's family member.  

Although a hero existed in the family, yet after all, it is an unfortunate thing.  However, the Chinese saying "it never rains but it pours" is true everywhere.  Gary's wife later had cancer, which was terminal.  His wife was very much concerned about Gary and encouraged him to find a new lover.  But US law prohibits a divorce if a cancer patient has been ill for less than five years.  As a result, Gary plans to divorce according to his wife's wishes, but he has to wait.

Gratifyingly, it is in the present time of waiting for divorce, Gary and the unfortunate Ping Ping encountered.  Although Gary is 22 years older than Ping Ping, they are in the same boat, and the true love is not limited by age.  

This is the story of Ping Ping. Learning her unfortunate experience, I have a kind of dislike to her ex-husband spontaneously!  Isn't that he is the real modern Chen Shimei?
Chen Shimei was a historical person. As a poor scholar, he passed the royal examination and won the first place. Then he became the son-in-law of the emperor. But in fact he had already got married and had a son and a daughter except for his wife Qin Xianglian. That means he abandoned his whole family. After learning the change of his husband, Qin Xianglian went to the royal court with her son and daughter. When the truth came out, Chen Shimei was killed.

Speaking of the modern Chen Shimei, Ping Ping’s ex-husband is absolutely not the only one. There are at least two contemporary Chan Shimei among the Chinese people in the United States I have met. And it is regrettable that both of them are contemporary female versions of Chen Shimei.  

The first one was my colleague.  When I was a news editor at Sino-vision, a young man came from Shanghai to be my new colleague.  His purpose to work in America was to accompany his wife to school.  His wife studied in the United States but she got everything necessary ready for her husband and daughter to come, and even found a job for him. He and his daughter rushed to the United States, but as soon as they met, she asked for a divorce.  She thought she had done him no wrong by making arrangements for her husband and daughter in the United States. This female Chen Shimei was really ruthless!  

The second female Chen Shimei was the wife of my friend Mike Chang.  Before he came to the United States, he was married and had a daughter, but his wife came to the United States to study.  Like my new colleague's wife, this successful woman had done the same for Mike. As soon as Mike stepped into the United States, there was a divorce certificate waiting for him.  

As the saying goes, whether there is fish or not, just go to the market to have a look. Among the Chinese students studying abroad, there are unexpectedly so many Chen Shimei, and there is no lack of female version of Chen Shimei. This really makes people surprised!  Of course, marriage and divorce belong to the problem of personal freedom. Any outsiders have no right to make improper comments. Whatever the cause, it's a tragedy!  What do you say about it? 

7.

At this point, this article can really be ended.  But before I finish, I need to add a few words about why I'm writing this article.  

I remember that when I was eating barbecue in Bear Mountain, I said to Ping Ping that I would write an article to describe this wonderful trip to Bear Mountain after returning home.  

The speaker is not intentional, but the listener is.  Of course I was not "unintentionally speaking".  I just did not realize that Ping Ping had not forgotten my words.  Of course, after I came home, I really wanted to write an article. This was not for fulfilling my promise, but from my desire and habit. Besides, I thought that if I wanted to write a good article, there must be a good story, but whether or not Ping Ping's good story was suitable to be put into this article?  I was very much tangled at that time, because it involved the personal privacy of Ping Ping and Gary.  But without the stories, wouldn't the article be a travel advertisement?  So, at the beginning, I thought it was better not to write such an article.

In this way, it has been delayed for nearly a month. Last night, Ping Ping called me suddenly and wanted to read my article!  I seemed to be hit in the head by Ping Ping.  But at the same time, I did not want to ignore Ping Ping's enthusiasm and break the appointment, so I immediately agreed to write. Fortunately, with my own personal experience, I finished the first draft in about two hours.

But just after I read it aloud to my wife at her request, there was a glitch in the computer.  The whole article disappeared in a flash, and my brain buzzed, almost faint!  I thought to myself that this was too bad and that maybe it was because I neither created a new page nor clicked on the archive button to save it. I searched for a long time, but still in vain.  

I have been disheartened and ready to stop looking for, and even wanted to make an explanation to Ping Ping and apologize to her.  But, alas!  At the time of my heartache, I suddenly opened another prose Cleaning my soul in mountain and forests. Oh, my god, this article was written after that prose. It was just in there to wave to me!  

So I went from sad to happy, and immediately revised and enriched the first draft carefully, and then clicked several times to save it, lest it be lost again.  Therefore, there is the appearance of this article. I hope Ping Ping and Gary will like it. 

New Jersey, USA, August 2, 2021 

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