Date: 2016-09-20
From: Grafton Notch/US 26

To: East B Hill Rd
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Grafton Notch 1921.9 to East B Hill Road mile 1932.2 for 10.3 miles.Highlights: Baldpate West & East peaks 3662' & 3810', Dunn Notch and Falls at 1249'We had a rain free night, nice surprise after 2 sleeps with rain. Slept in until about 6:30. Pancakes, coffee & visit with Liz as Jay & Katie were off before I could meet them. Big Cypress & Animal hit the trail about 9am. I didn't look. Just as I was about to leave to head to Liz's campsite, Wildfire showed up. He was asking about Andover & what direction it was. Well....I was heading that direction, so cleared the front seat & off we went to Little Red Hen Diner & Bakery. We had breakfast & used WiFi. Miss Hunter, our server was a delight & I had the best omelette in my life!! Yes...I'm serious!! It was a Greek omelette, but out of feta cheese, so I said just whatever cheese will do. So basically it was a veggie omelette. Perfect!! Not greasy, not wet, veggies not soggy!! Plus, homemade bread! I had a grilled homemade english muffin. That's a thing I noticed few states back...grilled toast, instead of toaster toasted. L o v e it!! I gassed up at the General Store and while pumping, there's Ruth, arriving at the corner. She pulled in and we chatted a minute. She's at South Arm Campground tonight. Chasing Freedom & Hipbelt are a day ahead of us. The campground is listed as open until Oct 1, but they are closing today, but letting Ruth stay there, On the cheap, because they are turning of the water & electric. Ruth has water & generator, so is fine with that.I saw Bob/Great at 58, pop out of the woods near the meeting spot for today. He's done 10 miles by 1-ish and 10 more to go today. I asked him to tell Liz, I'm sorry I didn't show up at her camp this morning. (If he sees her before I do) I feel bad I told her I was coming for water & shower, but unplanned trip with Wildfire and in the opposite direction from her camp spot.Now 2:09 pm. Hot water made for foot soaking. Visit with Sarah/Lil Scooby, an off the grid homesteader, that gives rides to hikers from this parking spot to the hostel in Andover. She checks the parking spot daily, while she gets multiple buckets of water for home. Her husband is a disabled retired Marine, 29 years old and they have a 1 & 2 year old. Their dream is to off the grid homestead in Alaska, but he's born & raised here, so.... She stayed only a few minutes and was off like a gust of wind. It's great meeting so many interesting people!! I love it!!Big Cypress saw Omega and Omega recognized Big and he blurted out "Big Cypress, what are you doing here??" We last saw him in Massachusetts. Wow!! Crazy!!Drove back into Andover. After Big Cypress took a dip in a pool of a stream flowing next yo the trail and calling his name! He walked back to the trail after dropping his pack with me. We had an amazing Lobstah Roll at the General Store and a everything pizza. Animal had a Double Double Burger and a slice of our pizza. We saw Spuknik and Babushka, then Quiet and Chupacabra. Walked back aross the street to our sleep spot at Little Red Hen's back yard. Hiker friendly, let's hikers sleep in the back yard. Shower in morning $5, laundry $5 a load. We'll have breakfast there in the morning!! My guys loved the pumpkin whoopie pies I got them from LRH's bakery. Critter Report: Lots of Turkey and Northern Flickers, spotted by Moonbeam. Big Cypress saw, a doe, Chipmunks, Squirrels, grass snake and variety of birds, and Canada Geese. Animal saw, nearly stepped on grass snake, blue jays, woodpeckers and lots of crows. Caacaahh!!