Date: 2007-06-23
From: Andover,ME

To: Andover,ME
Miles today: 60.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I have had an interesting last couple of days. Where to begin? Let's start back in Stratton. Those of you keeping up with my entries know that I had to replace my sandles shortly after completing the 100 mile wilderness. I invested in some crocs, and for the most part they get the job done. Shortly before departing Stratton I headed down to the ATM to pick up some cash when I stepped on a small stick about six inches long and somehow (lord knows how) managed to pierce the bottom of my foot. It jammed in there pretty hard, and hurt obviously. I'm chuckling though. I've hiked some 200 miles in some fairly tough terrain and had little to no problems of the foot variety only to get stabbed by a stick walking in town. Amazing. Fast forward a few days to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain. I hiked about 13 to get to this cool ski shelter that they allow hikers to squat at during the off-season. I was in heaven; I had an amazing 360 degree view of Maine, a hot plate to cook my dinner, a furnace to keep warm and a radio to get my jive on. Life was good. My socks were soaked from the long day of hiking and I placed them near the furnace to dry them. Easy enough right? I went to cook dinner only to come back and find my socks burnt to a nice brown crisp. So apparently, fire burns socks, who knew? Thankfully I had an extra pair to get me to Rangeley (the next town) so no harm. On my way to Rangeley, however, I encoutered another strange trail moment. It would seem that I am having some poor luck. I arrived at a lean-to shortly after leaving the lodge atop Sugarloaf and proceeded to set up my tent, placing my hiking poles (which I am in love with) against a nearby tree. Perhaps from fatigue I forgot they were there. In the morning I awoke to find that something (I'm guessing a porcupine) had decided that my poles would serve as a delicious midnight snack. The handles, composed of tough foam rubber, were chewed to shreds. Damn you porcupines!!! I imagine, or speculate, that they were after my delicious accumulation of sweat soaked in the handles. Hard to blame them I suppose. So anyway, it has been an interesting and bizarre couple of days. These things happen however, and I am living and learning. What more can you do? It makes for good journal fodder at the very least. So currently I am in Andover, ME with only 30 miles to the Maine/New Hampshire border. Why Sean, you must be so excited! I am indeed excited. But the next section is some of the toughest hiking on the AT complete with a mile that is notorious for taking hikers half a day to pass. It's a patch called the Mahoosics and right now it is all us hikers can talk about. So I am looking forward to them and dreading them simultaneously. After that it is on to New Hampshire and the Whites. Again, something I am looking forward to and dreading. Maine and New Hampshire are considered the two toughest states on the AT amongst hikers. The way lots of people make it sound, after those two states it's relative smooth sailing. Anyway, that's what is new on the trail these days. I am still staying positive, still keeping the legs pumping, and trying desperately to avoid hungry porcupines. Love you all, thanks again so much for the words! You guys are awesome! New Hampshire here I come....!!!Peace out!SeanStill no trail name---but my continued strange luck will surely lend itself to one shortly...