Date: 2005-09-01
From: New Hampshire 25

To: Hiker's Welcome Hostel
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: broken clouds

It was strangely quiet when we woke up this morning. It took me a minute to realize what was missing. It was the absence of the sound of rain on the tent. In fact,the tent was almost completely dry. For joy! For joy! Unfortunately our clothes were very wet,but at last they smelled somewhat clean. We ate cold granola that was supposed to be cooked but we didn't know that until after we dumped the dry milk on it and added the water.We packed up and headed out. If our plans go as we hope,we will be at Welcome Hiker's Hostel tonight. But in front of us were a couple of mountains to climb. It was really nice to hike under beautiful blue skies. I celebrated the day by putting on dry socks. Of course they did not stay dry very long but it made me feel good for a little while. We stopped at a road crossing for lunch,and to spread our things out to dry. It did not take long for the sun to dry most of our things. We ran into the Outward bound group again. They were having more problems with their kids.They had a van there with gallons of fresh water ,we graciously accepted their offer and drank until we felt like we would burst. As we sat on the ground soaking up some warm sunshine,a man in a camo uniform came up to us with a rifle slung over his shoulder.He looked at us and asked "Is anyboby going to be hikinh in the woods up there today?"and pointed up the trail. Well ,yeah,hello,that is the Appalachian Trail and there are plenty of hikers on it right now.He was a bear hunter and today was the first day of bear season.He said he would be hunting under the powerlines.I was glad the trail went into the woods and not under those lines,but it was still disconcerting to know somwone was out there with a rifle. A friend back homes says if you want to get away with murder,just do shoot your enemy during hunting season! After a nice long break in the sun,we had a mere 5 miles between us and a hot shower. We climbed Mt.Mist today, a mere 2220 ft.and had it not been for a sign we might have thought we must have missed the summit. It was a fairly gentle ascent,then there we were at the summit. Papermaker sure missed being able to soak his feet in any stream today. I do not know how he can stand to plunge his feet into ice cold water,but he does and gets great pleasure from it. That reminds me of Muddbutt. She could do the same thing and compare it to being in heaven. We passed by Wachipauka Pond and as bad as Papermaker wanted to stop for a break,we pressed on hoping to get to the hostel in time to catch a ride to town. We have noticed that the leaves are already starting to turn colors. By the looks of the trail today,there must have been some heavy winds come through as the ground was covered in green leaves and there were several trees blown over the trail. We reached the highway,only a short half mile walk. Papermaker wanted to know if we could hitch hike. I looked at him in disgust and said "No way,hitch hike a half mile?" He fell back behind me,dragging his hiking sticks in a dejected fashion. Before we knew it we saw the sign "Hikers Welcome Hostel". It is a hostel run by 1994 thru hiker Packrat and Fatt Chapp is helping out this year.It did not take Papermaker long to settle into his first hostel experience. He opened the refrigerator door and almost shouted with delight at the sight of ice cold Pepsi. The first thing I did was grab us a bunk,while there were still some empty spaces. Then it was hot shower time for me. The shower is outside,plumbed with hot and cold running water. Wooden slat walls surround the shower stall ,and a tarp provides covering on the top,leaving a nice opening high enough for light and views of tree tops.I have always been fond of our outside solar shower,and this was every bit as nice because there was an abundance of hot water. Before long it was time for a run into town,for supplies,pizza whatever you needed. Six of us piled into a van that had the seats taken out and away we went. It took me awhile to get Papermaker focused on what he wanted for supper. He was like a child in a candy store,going from aisle to aisle looking at all the selections. Of course he was hunting some grits,but never did find any. He will have to settle for Grapenuts. We stopped and got a large pizza and back to the shelter sat around and made pigs of ourselves. We had just finished eating when a familiar face came in. I could not place her until she introduced herself. It was none other than Dorothy who is hiking with her husband Toto. I met them last year in Harper's Ferry at the outfitters. They were making plans to thru hike this year. I called them hiker wannabees in my journal. I knew they were out here hiking,but had no idea I would ever run into them. It was a real treat for me. They had been reading my journal and had wondered what happened to me after I stopped posting anything on Trailjournals.com. Well fed,with a clean body,clean clothes and a slack packing day lined up,I called it a night. Seeker is here,as well as Panda,Just Mike,History,Timshell and some others I have not met. This is by far one of the nicest hostels I have been in. It is not Holiday Inn or even Motel Six,but they understand what hikers need and want and go out of their way to help you. Bumpkin                           5 Million Steps for Polio Appalachian Trail GA-MA Bumpkin More in 2004