Date: 2005-09-02
From: Little Baldpate Mountain

To: The Cabin, Andover, ME
Miles today: 5.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Up and gone this morning by 8:20. The sunrise, as was the sunset, was one of the best I have seen in quite a while. I believe now, looking back, that it may have something to do with hurricane Katrina since it just passed through the area. All in all over my lifetime I have seen plenty of sunrises and sunsets. Not many compare to those that I have seen in Colorado when I lived along the "Front Range" however, these past two experiences rated right up there among the best. Before leaving I completed a good stretch there in the morning sun while the day warmed. I was not in a rush because Andover and the Cabin was not far away at all. I did not know if I was going to spend the evening. I did want to stop in to see Phoenix Rising (she talked so fondly of the cabin).   I walked to the East B Hill Road just 5.6 miles away, Forever North and his dog Buddy were there lying along the road taking a nap. He said he wasn't going anywhere and I couldn't blame him. The road was not paved where I was standing and it was 8 miles to town. I figured I would wait a while before I started walking. No traffic went my way for quite some time. Eventually a huge 18 wheeler loaded with logs came over the hill and I figured, "why not?". Sure enough the driver pulled over and gave me a ride to town. He told me he was loaded with 40 tons of logs and that he did not mind picking me up because he was not quite up to speed (he just came up over a hill). I have his business card somewhere, he is a private owner operator and his rig is his life, it was nice.    I was let out of the truck at the first and only stop sign directly in the center of town. Protieus and Buttah (who rode borrowed bicycles to town), walked over to me and could not believe I got a ride in an 18 wheeler. They said they were staying at the cabin. It took them about 1.2 seconds to convince me to join them (right after they finished telling me how good the food was) and once there I decided to stay the night. The shower was so good, the food that night was excellent and the atmosphere was relaxing. Phoenix was there as well as Crazy Legs. Leviathan came in late but made it in time for supper.      While there at the Cabin I ran into a gentleman who was about to start his odyssey driving around the United States. He said he wanted to see the back roads of our country. I told him about the book I was reading, Blue Highways, and told him I was nearly finished with it. I gave it to him as a gift and wished him well when he left the next day. That book has "good karma" all over it, It started on the LT, walked part of the AT (including the Whites) and was then about to start traveling the U.S. (published back in the late 70's early 80's, I wondered where else had it been). We talked about how he could retrace the author's route, he seemed interested in doing so. Perhaps one day I may find out if he really did do such.   I was able to make a number of phone calls. I first was able to talk to my wife and son, then my brother Dave and a friend Charley. I predicted I would be done with the trip in less then three weeks (it took 18 more days to complete). Arrangements were made for a shuttle back to the trail the next day and I placed my reservation in for the morning's breakfast. If it was anything like the food was that evening (and it was), I could hardly wait.