Date: 2010-09-19
From: Speck Pond Shelter

To: Andover, ME; Pine Ellis Hostel
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: clear sky

HEY EVERYBODY!! It's me!! I am finally at a computer!! Thanks so much to Turner for posting those pictures and to everyone who has left me messages in the guest book! I will get back on tomorrow as it is almost 10p and the Colts are playing Eli!! :D I am doing great! There has obviously been some ups and downs but in town...always great! I am with Mt. Dew, ice cream and a big warm hoodie! Today was long but pretty easy terrain for a change! I am going to zero tomorrow so once I get my chores done (PO, resupply, laundry etc.) I will get on here and get you some more news! I will also label some of those pictures! Twizzler...you guys made the cut, hehe! Twizzler is my trail angel! I section hiked with her, Bambi and Roadrunner and now she is determined to keep my spirits up and my needs met! I am picking up a package from her tomorrow! God Bless her! ok, better go...stay tuned for more info! I MADE IT TO MAINE PEOPLE!!! Can you believe it??? My slogan "1 more day = Maine" has now been revised to "1 more day = Katahdin!" Hell ya!!! I'm going all the way baby!! Peace and love to you all!!Here's my written journal for the day:What a day! I got up at 6-feeling great! Weather was warm and I couldn¢t pack up fast enough! I was ready to get hiking! I wanted 15 mi and was anxious to get at it! 1st climb right off the bat went well until I got to the top and misread the signs. The .3 to the summit was a blue blaze! 40 min later I was back on track and cruised down 3-4 miles to Grafton Notch where I met 2 visitors who gave me their Mt. Washington Hotel goodie bag-turkey sandwich, apple, granola bars and water! PLUS there was a trash can! I had 6 days worth so that was an unexpected treat! The extra food was needed with my bigger appetite. I was calling it close this leg. We had a nice visit while I ate and I was off! I busted up the next climb, Baldpate and blew right past the shelter! I did see a grouse right on trail! Next, through the ¢col¢ and over and to the 2nd peak (up all rocks!) I wondered if I¢d have enough time to make it to Andover?! I knew I¢d make it, but could I before sundown? I hauled up the last climb by Frye Notch where I busted thru my ¢wall¢ and began the 4-5 mi decent. Going fast down the nice graded, not so rocky trail I hit the Cascade Falls at 5:30 and had less than a mile! Sweet! At the road with no signal to call the shuttle I was graced with a camper who emerged from the woods and asked if I needed a ride?! Yes! A little leery but comfy we took off! Seems he¢s a good friend of Slightly Inappropriate! Cool! 10 mi later we arrived at the hostel! Met David and Ilene and they gave me the hostel run down then jetted off for dinner! The only restaurant in town was closing soon! I walked the 1/4 mi to town and found Two of a Kind, Ziggy and the Mint and T-Bone at the restaurant! I¢m always so glad when I cross paths with Lisa and John (Two of a Kind!!) I joined them to eat, bought some goodies and back for the Manning vs. Manning ball game! I was also excited to learn that LR¢r is back on trail! He was going to start a couple miles ahead at the next road which also goes to Andover. Can¢t wait to see him!