Date: 2006-08-22
From: South Arm Road, Black Brook

To: Maine 17; Oquossoc, ME
Miles today: 13.3

Still at ¢The Cabin¢¢¦ Some say this ¢hiker heaven¢ kept them on the trail when they were ready to give up. Others say the owners are 2 of the nicest people you will meet and still others say it¢s one of few ¢primo places¢ on the AT. I say***** (5 STARS): GREAT accommodations, food and hospitality. A real treat situated in a broad, flat valley through which the Ellis River flows in scenic western Maine, settled by hardy pioneers who trekked through the woods and swamps almost 200 miles from Andover , Mass.    I highly recommend anyone on the trail take a break and enjoy this "homey" spot.        Sadly my security blanket will be shed in the morning for I MUST cut the umbilical chord and LEAVE this wonderful place behind...its fond memory carried with me. Especially as I have uncovered a stronger bond with the owners, Earle (Bear) and Marge (Honey) Towne¢¦Marge is a member of the ¢Cummings Clan¢ having ties to Dolly Copp for GENERATIONS!I remember them as the ¢gang¢ who took over Big Meadow, Little Meadow and any other place where they could ¢claim space¢, for the throngs of relatives that traveled annually to that sweet spot in the White Mtns. I have previously reiterated...6 degrees of separation (AGAIN)! Over time, the threads of friendship may wear thin, but the ties that bind hold strong¢¦This morning Earle brought us (Irish and Jellybean, too) back to South Arm Road, Black Brook and we hiked 13.3 miles to Maine 17; Oquossoc, ME.Most of the Appalachian Trail in Maine is not recommended for novice hikers; Maine's 281 miles are generally considered the most difficult of all fourteen states. Even the strongest hikers may average only one mile an hour in some parts. Other parts require grabbing onto tree roots and limbs to climb or descend, and are especially slippery and hazardous in wet weather. Trust me, I know all about this!¢The rain in Maine is causing sudden pain¢. The rain, combined with the many lakes, ponds, streams and bogs along the way, makes for muddy, slippery walking. ¢¦and I fell some more! 2 toes tugs over roots; 2 tosses on wet ground and 2 butt busters on slippery rocks as the ground continues wet along the entire way - Old Blue Mountain (3,600¢), Bemis Stream Trail, Beamis Range (West Peak ¢ 3,580¢), Bemis Mountain Lean-to (2,800¢), Bemis Stream (ford) 1,495¢). Again, today I left the trail lucky and unscathed. I am very careful where I step and 2 days of stumbles is not a good track record. I¢ve come thousands of miles over some rough, tough terrain and within 23 miles I¢ve taken several tosses ¢ what¢s with that? I must stay on my toes; not trip over them! Keeping my fingers crossed this is over with, I am looking forward to moving on, though it¢s hard to say good-bye to ¢comfy¢ beds and ¢hungry-man¢ meals.Tomorrow we head out for Rangeley, Maine and plan to stay at the Gulf Pond Lodge where Irish and I will share a room and Jellybean thinks she may stay at the lodge, too. Perhaps we¢ll do these final miles together.Signing off from The Cabin, Andover, ME anxious and excited, I am evermindful that it¢s one step at time.Good night¢¦This above all; to thine own self be true.   - William Shakespeare ¢