Date: 2005-10-10
To: Driving to TN (Carver's Gap, TN on the trail)
Miles today: 0.0

Zero miles todayDrove all nightHeading back to TnCarver's Gap, Tn on the trail This morning started out with the thought of having lots of time before we met up with Frogcaller, Lew and Zulu in Skowhegan, Maine. Amoeba and I walked up to Dunkin Donuts and had coffee and breakfast, then went back and packed up to start heading over towards Maine. On the way, we stopped at the Gorham trailhead and hiked up to Rattle River Shelter which was 1.6 miles one way. It was a nice walk with plenty of water running after the flooding rains we had this weekend. The leaves were beautiful and in plenty of color. That with the darker, wet tree trunks really made for a beautiful scenery while we walked. I had planned on signing the register just to mess with the minds of any friends that might be walking by here. They would know that I'm in Tn on the trail, but signed in here in NH. Oh well. I took some pictures of Rattle River and some waterfalls, then we walked back to the car. It was about 10am and we only had about 80 to 90 miles to drive by noon. That was a good plan, but I always forget that when you drive in Maine, it always takes longer to get anywhere than what you plan on. We were about 20 minutes late getting to Ken's Restaurant in Skowhegan where we met Zulu, Frogcaller and Lew. I pulled up and saw my truck, but didn't see them at first. They were across the parking lot. It was really great to see all of them again. They had waited on us for about 45 minutes...sorry, we should have skipped that short hike and came right over to Maine instead. We waited for another 15 minutes to be seated. I was good today and only ordered the fried fish, but Lew had a challenge in mind. He ordered the Monster Seafood Feast. That's a huge plate of seafood. I knew Lew would finish it though because I've watched him down one earlier this year. :-))) We spent a couple hours chatting and catching up on what happened over the summer. It turns out that Amoeba had run into Frogcaller on the trail in Shenandoah earlier this year. Amoeba and Frogcaller were catching up on trail stories while Zulu and I were watching Lew devour his Monster Seafood Feast. I can't believe Lew passed on having desert. :-))) It was time to leave, so I said goodbye to Zulu and Lew, then gave Frogcaller and Amoeba hugs goodbye. I guess it will probably be next year before I see any of them again. :-((( Hey Amoeba, Thanks so much for hauling my butt all the way over to Skowhegan. She never complained once that it was really ouy of her way, since she didn't have to go up and help out with Shaw's in Monson while Kieth Jr is on his honeymoon...thanks. Oh yeah, thanks for letting me practice driving your car before I got to my truck. It's been 3 months since I drove. It was tough leaving, but I knew Miss Janet and Kaitlyn were waiting on me to pick them up in Hanover, NH, so I headed over that way. It was dark when I got to Baltimore Jacks place. Miss Janet had left a note for me to meet her at EBA Restaurant. I talked to Jack, Jester and Dave for a few minutes before I left. When I walked into the pizza place to pick up Miss Janet and Kaitlyn, they looked relieved to see me. I met Mad Bowler who offered to let us spend the night at her place, but we were all ready to start heading south and see how far we could get. We gathered up all their stuff and loaded it in the truck and I turned the truck towards Tn and started driving. I had no idea how far we were headed for the night, but we were still driving at midnight and not ready to stop. One of these days I'm going to find time to sleep. :-))) Thanks again Frogcaller and Lew for letting my truck sit at your cabin all summer and thank you Amoeba for getting me from Hanover, NH to Skowhegan, Maine when it turned uot you didn't have to go to Monson after all.You are all very good friends. :-)))