Date: 2015-08-07
To: Before I hiked Katahdin
Miles today: 0.0

Before I hiked KatahdinI decided to jump ahead to the tough part of the trail. My thought was I was not getting any younger and after hiking central Virginia, Shenandoah National Park and the north end of North Carolina for over 400 miles, I would be in shape for Katahdin. I trained two different days the week before on a nearby mountain with 1200' elevation change. I hiked it three times in the same day.    I found that it was cheaper to fly Allegiant Air from North Carolina to Florida, visit my sons and fly to Maine the next day. So I flew to St Petersburg. My son picked me up from the airport and drove me to see the renters of my house. This was our first meeting. Then my son and I went out to dinner. He dropped me off at my friend's house where I spent the night. I had not seen my friend in years. My sister picked me up from my friend's house the next day. We had lunch together. At lunch, I got a text my flight would be two hours delayed. Then two more texts with two different departure times. My sister took me to the airport.    The first text was correct. The plane was two hours delayed. My plan was to fly into Bangor Maine at 5:30 pm and be on the bus for Millinocket at 6:30 pm. The bus would cost $12 and runs once a day. I arrived at Bangor at 6:30 pm and picked up my checked backpack at 7 pm. I called the Appalachian Trail Lodge where I had planned to spend the night. It was too late for them to come get me. My choices were to spend the night in Bangor and either have them drive me for $127 or take the bus at 6:30 pm. It was probably too late for Bull Moose Taxi to drive me. I told them I would call them back with what I was going to do. I called a Bangor hotel. It was full. There was a convention in town. I called another Bangor hotel. They had only one room left but needed to call me back after they figured out how to reserve it for me. I called my husband who was no help. I called Bull Moose Taxi. He said he would leave now and be there in an hour and a half, for $127. I agreed. I called my husband back to let him know my plans. I explained I would be getting in a strange man's car to drive me an hour and a half in the Maine woods to The Appalachian Trail Lodge in Millinocket. I would call him when I got there. I called The Appalachian Trail Lodge. Since I would be arriving so late (after 10 pm), the staff would be sleeping and not be able to check me in. I was given directions to my bunk and I would check in the following morning.   I gathered my belongings and went outside the airport to wait for Bull Moose Taxi. A taxi driver was there waiting for a fare. He struck up a conversation with me. He hiked the AT 35 years ago. I told him how my husband was no help with my dilemma. He said in his experience only one in fifteen are good in a crisis. In time Bull Moose Taxi arrived. We had a pleasant conversation as we traveled in the dark.   He drove to Appalachian Trail Lodge. The town seemed deserted but there were still people awake at the Lodge. I proceeded to follow the directions I was given. I walked up the stairs, when I heard a deep voice who seemed to be speaking to me. It took me three trys to realize he was talking from downstairs. Ole Man had waited up for me and was in the office downstairs to check me in. As he checked me in, my husband called. I told him I had arrived and all was well. Ole Man took me upstairs to my bunk and gave me the lay of the land.    I woke late in the morning. I had a bottom bunk. Each time the person on the top bunk went to use the facilities, he used my double bunk as a step.   The woman changing the sheets asked what were my plans for the day. The only plan I had was to buy some Gatorade at the grocery store three miles away. When I originally made the reservation, it was suggested to have a rest day between arrival and hiking Katahdin. I was so glad I did that. I was exhausted. The woman called it an emotional hang over.    I rested, had breakfast, rested and went to the grocery store. Giuseppe offered to wash my clothes with his. Giuseppe started hiking the AT from Katahdin south around this time last year. When he got to Springer, he turned around and started hiking north. He had hiked Katahdin a couple of days ago and was planning to hike the AT south again.    I arranged for a food drop in the middle of the 100 Mile Wilderness. I was given a 5 gallon paint bucket with a garbage bag liner. I put my food in it. I gave the filled bucket back. He sealed it and wrote my name on it. He asked the date I expected to pick it up. He thought the next day but he would have it there for the day I said. I could put my trash in it after I picked up my food. I was given written directions on how to find it. They said 100% of the people had found it this year.   I had a steak and potatoes dinner with broccoli. I went to bed early. The van will leave at 6:30 am to be at Baxter State Park at 7.