Date: 2003-08-22
From: Rattle River Shelter

To: Gorham, NH (US 2)
Miles today: 1.9
Weather: light rain

We woke early, packed up and hiked the 2 miles out of the woods in a snappy 40 minutes. Amazing how we can zip when the Trail is flat.At the Trailhead, we hung out our thumbs and a great guy named Raypulled his car over. Turned out his son hiked the AT a while back: he understood. "I'm always looking for you guys," he said.As we were loading our packs, Cobra and Splash came out of the woods. We looked at Ray and he shrugged. We stuffed them in too.We all checked into The Hiker's Paradise in Gorham. The town is spread out, so they "sell" you a bicycle for a buck (for liability purposes). I haven't ridden a bike in a while, but they say you never forget... The cars whiz by at warp speed. Wouldn't it be ironic if I broke something pedaling to the PO?As always, a hot shower is pure pleasure. From the very beginning of the hike, I and every other hiker I've asked has been plagued by butt pimples, little red bumps. I have been carrying a small tube of anti-fungal for my feet, to ward off the rampant athlete's foot of public showers; I also use flip-flops. But Art told me that the bumps too were caused by a fungus, and the same treatment (ointment, not flip-flops) would clear up bumps. Skeptical, I am conducting a controlled experiment. Lotrim on the right butt cheek, nothing on the other. The results will be published the the Journal of American Medicine (JAMA) for peer review.I worry about my return to "civilization" sometimes, I really do. After chores, I went for supper at a local steak house. Maybe I waited a bit too long, for I really fell upon the juicy, flame-broiled meat. And the cheese-stufffed potatoes, and a skillet of grilled vegetables...A man came over and slid into my booth across from me. He was smiling. "Don't take this wrong, he said. "Are you a hiker? You're crackin' me up. You're eating too fast, you know..."He introduced himself as Brooks, chatted a bit about the hike, then he returned to his party.Ah... Urp!We are a day out of Maine. On Sunday morning, 9 am, I will step across the NH-ME border and enter my 14th state. This is the most remote and, some say, beautiful state on the AT. As I set off for Maine, I want to mention again that I am using my hike as a fundraiser for Hospice. They tell me that if I make it to Mt. Katahdin, almost $15,000 will be raised, every nickel going for direct patient care. Consider a pledge. (THANKS to those who have already).A penny a mile is $21.73, two cents is scarcely over forty bucks, a nickel is a little over $100. If you wish, you can make either an outright donation to the fund, or pledge online and make me sweat the last state for it.Hospice works to ensure no one dies alone or in agony, that people may die with dignity in their own homes. They do AWESOME work.If you want to make a pledge, just send Carole White an e-mail with your name, address, amount, e-mail address and phone number to foundations@firsthealth.org or call (910) 695-7500. If you'd like to check out their website, the URL is: http://www.firsthealth.org/foundation/hiker.htmOkay, commercial over. Good night, and thank you for your support.