Date: 2006-07-26
From: East B Hill Rd -The Cabin - East Andover, ME

To: Grafton Notch- The Cabin- East Andover, Me
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: broken clouds

I woke up at 4:30 this morning and just layed in bed until about 5:30 when I figured I better get up and take Mrs Gorp her coffee. :-)))I stopped in the kitchen and said good morning to Bear and thanked him again for the great dinner last night, then I took Mrs Gorp's coffee downstairs.I sat downstairs and talked to Rambunny, Aqua, Left Fielder and Reindeer until breakfast was ready.I made another 3 egg omelette with onions, green peppers, mushrooms and cheese, then sat down and ate that and one blueberry pancake and some cantalope along with more coffee.I did better for breakfast this morning and didn't eat as much. :-)))We got ready for today's walk, then took Left Fielder and Reindeer out to East B Hill Rd.They started walking north and I walked south to go over Baldpate Mountain today.That's one of my favorite mountains on the whole AT.Mrs Gorp took my truck to Grafton Notch and parked it, then headed north.I was walking south today in hopes of running into Bassman '02.He left a note on my windshield the other day telling me he was in the area finishing up his hike. I was hoping to run into him, but I saw at the first register that he had been through this area yesterday. :-(((I had started the long climb at 7:30am.It didn't take long before I was soaked in sweat. It's so humid up here right now that it feels like Florida.I ran into Red Beard and Yoshi at Notch Falls.Red Beard said we had met earlier this year in the Smokies, but I didn't remember that.I passed Grits just before I summited Surplus Mountain.I walked on and got to Frye Notch Lean-to and signed the register.I needed water already, so I went down to the stream and tanked up and filled up my water bottle.I ran into Tennessee Sam and Preacher on my climb up Baldpate Mountain.I got up to the summit of Baldpate at 10:30am.Mrs Gorp had just gotten there and was talking to a couple peak baggers.I sat down and had some water and tried cooling down in the nice breeze.I stayed about 15 minutes before heading on down the mountain.I would have loved to climb Baldpate on a cool day. There were nice views, but the distant mountains were hazy from all the humidity in the air, so you couldn't see much today.I walked down the mountain to Grafton Notch and ran into a nobo by the name of Crazy Balls just before I got there.My truck was there waiting on me. When I opened the door to get in, it started raining....not sure if that was good timing or not. It would have cooled me off some to walk in the rain.I headed back to The Cabin and took a shower. That felt great!!This is the third night I've been here and I have to wash my hiking clothes everyday.It was quiet here, so I went upstairs and took a nap.When I woke up, Mrs Gorp was back and Rambunny was in the kitchen cleaning some Swiss chard and green beans that she had grown.I sat out back and talked to Honey, Bear, Aqua and Rambunny. Mrs Gorp had left for the evening to go see some old friends.Honey made another delicious dinner tonight...baked chicken breast, potato salad, Swiss chard, green beans and salad.We had brownies and ice cream for desert.They make sure you eat well here. That would be alright if I was walking more miles right now, but I'm not walking enough to eat this good. :-)))I called Shortcut and talked to her a while, then called my Mom and Dad, then headed up to bed for an early evening.This is a great place to stay and over the years, Honey, Bear, Aqua and Rambunny have become very good friends....thanks!!!