Date: 2017-08-24
From: Ore Hill Campsite

To: NH 25, Hikers Welcome Hostel
Miles today: 7.3

8/24Ore Hill Campsite to NH 25, Hikers Welcome Hostel 7.3 miles Total miles:  1791.1Note: I was able to upload the photos from Burlington to Ore Hill Campsite today.We got up early this morning, because we wanted to get to the hostel as soon as we could. Before I left, I went to use the privy and finally understood why it gets top billing on the sign along the trail. I wondered at that when I first arrived, because the sign reads "Privy" in large letters with "& Tent sites" added in smaller letters below it.  The privy is a castle with "Castellum Excrementi" proudly displayed above the door.  The toilet is truly a throne, and the word "Dungeon" appears above the clean out screen in the back. Using it, I felt a bit like Ned Stark from Game of Thrones before he lost his head. We were on the trail by 7:15. It turned out to be our easiest day of the four that Dustin hiked with me.  We encountered a large pile of moose scat beside a lake but saw no sign of the animal.  The climb up Mist Mountain, the last one that Dustin and I did together, went well.  On the way up, I met my long lost son.  I stopped and chatted awhile with a sobo and made sure he knew about the upcoming Omelet Man. Just before we parted ways, I asked him his trail name. "Twig," he answered. "Son!" I exclaimed.  We both laughed as we parted ways. Near the end of our hike today, I came across the number 400 on the trail. As I crossed it, I had less than 400 miles to go. Once we got to the road, it was a short walk down to the Hikers Welcome Hostel, where we would spend the night. They have a great set up, and it is obvious that the hostel is run by thru hikers. There is a checklist of things to purchase. Near the top of the list is the "Hiker Special." A pizza, soda, chips, and ice cream for $5.00. Yes, they know what we want.  Dustin and I decided to tent instead of staying in the building, and we took advantage of their clothes line.  I met Bag of Tricks, a wonderfully funny man who works at the hostel.  He does perfect owl impressions: "Who bakes for you, who bakes for me." He also tells very funny jokes: "What is the difference between a thru hiker and Bigfoot?  One is a hairy, dirty, smelly creature that lives in the woods, and the other is a myth." It was great sharing time with him. He hiked with Earl Shaffer in 1998 and is a true AT character.  Well met, Tricks!  The shower, laundry, and toilet set-up is located outside and quite unique. It was one of the best showers I have had on the trip and having clean clothes again is almost heaven. With true hiker trash humor, there is a brown blaze painted on the toilet seat. At 5:00, we took the shuttle to Warren to resupply and to eat at the Roadside Grill, a wonderful local diner where we ate outside. On the way into town, we passed a random ICBM missile standing near town. I suppose it has been decommissioned, but stands there silently safeguarding the town. Live free or die! After returning to the hostel,  I sorted my food and then relaxed with Bag of Tricks, Dustin, Spills, Scout, Gandalf, Jelly Bean, and a few others while watching some movie and listening to stories from Bag of Tricks. A bat joined us for awhile, but we opened the door and it decided to leave. Dustin and I headed for bed. We'll share in the hiker breakfast in the morning, before Dustin gets a shuttle to the airport and I head out for Mount Moosilauke and the beginning of the Whites.  It has been a wonderful four days for me hiking with Dustin. Safe travels home, my friend!