Date: 2004-08-30
From: Frye Notch Lean-to

To: East B Hill Road - Andover Guest House
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: overcast clouds

August 30 - Magic, MagicIt rained all night. The Frye Notch Lean-to leaked in the back left corner and got my sleeping bag wet. This is the first time my down bag ever got exposed to rain. Was sleeping in my silk liner with the bag opened on top. I woke feeling like I must be sweating a lot. Upon checking I discovered the real problem. Dried everything the best I could with camp towel and went back to sleep. In the morning I could not find my Map 7 for this section. Must have lost it somewhere back on the trail.Even though I have a cold and fairly bad cough the past two days and nights, I felt like hiking this morning. I led out at about 6:50 and kept a decent pace. We passed thru beautiful thick woods with lots of green everywhere. Finally, after about 1 1/2 hours, Boonie and Palm Tree caught up and passed me but we stayed together for most of the morning. Had to cover only 4.5 miles to get to Maine Highway, East B Hill Road and then hitch 9 miles to town.On the way to the road saw Dunn Notch Falls. Very impressive. Extreme drop. Took picture. We crossed the Ellis River above the falls and proceeded to climb. Puzzled a little later as was expecting to descend to the road. We passed another stream and noticed cans of ice tea in the rocks and a bag of oranges. Welcomed treats. And the road was just ahead about 30 yards. Up on the road we found the Andover Guest House van where Ms. Sandra, the manager/innkeeper was off loading three hikers at the trailhead. (Our friends, Allegany, Suffering Bastard, and Postcard). Perfect timing for us as we had reservations at the Guest House. Sandra took us in with no time delay at all. (This area is remote and we anticipated possible difficulty in getting to town.)I took the single room to avoid giving my cold to others. Boonie and Palm Tree took the double. This is a great place to stay. Very comfortable. Andover is small - two stores and one restaurant. Small, but still a good supply point. Got our mail drops from the Post Office, took showers and chilled out, eating good 'town food lunch'. Followed up with 1/2 pint of Ben & Jerry's. What more could you ask for? Well I needed a map and medicine for my cold. With bad cough, I decided to contact home and get my personal Doctor to prescribe something. Long history with him on tendency to proceed to bronchial infection. (Thanks, Dr. Theriot) All worked out. Mary Ann got prescriptions overnighted to Rangeley, ME. Will get medicine in three days. Mean time I've got over-the-counter medication from the store across the street and chance to rest in a good room. Great to be here. I asked Sandra if she had any ATC maps and she just happened to have one extra Map 7. Gave it to me! ... "Ask and you will receive." Got bag and liner dried out in the afternoon before it started raining again.Good news from home. Son John and his Aimee are getting married in October after I get back home and before son Mark goes to Iraq.Now, if my body can just hold together till we get to Rangeley, I'll soon be at 100% in all systems. Checked weight today. Its stable at 150 pounds. Even with cold and cough I feel great. Noticed in bathroom mirror that my eyes are clearer than I can remember. Absolutely no signs of blood vessels in the whites. Guess its that clean mountain air.