Date: 2004-07-31
From: Gorham, NH

To: Pamola Motor Lodge, Millinocket, Maine
Miles today: 0.0

Zero miles todayPamola Motor Lodge, Millinocket, MaineI didn't sleep too well last night. It's getting to be a pattern. When I sleep indoors, I just don't sleep good.I walked down to Welsh's and got there a little before 6am. I had breakfast and coffee and then walked up to The Barn to see who was staying there. I walked up to the door just as Caveman was coming out to go eat breakfast.I walked with him to Dunkin Donuts and on the way, we ran into Spot who was trying to hitch a ride back to the trail. I see him on the trail every year. We talked a while and Spot said he plans on hiking the PCT next year.Caveman said that all the Slobo's were at The Barn. Cobweb and his friend, Steve got in late yesterday. I guess he's pulling up the rear of the slow hikers. I'll try to see them all before I leave for the wilderness later today.I told Caveman to sign my guestbok about the middle of September and let me know where they're at and I'll try and do some trail magic for them on my way back from the JMT.I have heard from Skeemer (Transciber's note::http://www.trailjournals.com/liteshoe/) that the John Muir Trail hike is on for September 3rd and should take us 20 days. I plan on keeping my journal going even for that hike because it's falling in the middle of this thru hike. That should take me off the A.T. for about 30 days which should push my finish date back to late December of this year.I checked out of the motel and walked up to The Barn and found Cobweb and Steve. We went to Welsh's and ate lunch.John Galt, Hippie and Coughdrop showed up and ate lunch too. They found us because of the note I left at The Barn.We went back to The Barn so I could get my backpack and I said goodbye to Lunchbox, Giddy Up, and Commando.I also got to say goodbye to BearBait who had got there late yesterday. She was back to hike more trail. The last time I saw her was when I dropped her off at the Philly Airport to go home for a while.Death By Cotton and Lucky Dog were also there.We all loaded into John Galt's car and headed to Monson, Maine. I needed to get some stuff out of my truck and pick up a package that Mailar left at Pie Ladies for me. Thanks Mailar, for dropping that off for me.We stopped by Shaw's and said hi to everyone and John Galt bought some water purifier.Keith Shaw said that the number of nobos were down by 300 hikers compared to previous years at this time.We left Monson and headed to Millinocket, Maine. On the way we saw a girl walking with an unusual stride and John Galt missed our turn. We ended up at a dead end road by a pond. We backtracked and realized what happened. John Galt should pay more attention to the road and let the passengers do the gawking.We came right to this motel and after organizing ours packs, John Galt and I went to the Chinese Restaurant next door. Hippie and Coughdrop went to McDonalds.John Galt has a bet with some college buddies to see who can go to strip clubs in the most states. John Galt added Maine to his list of nine other states. All he did was walk in and asked for a business card and then we left.We came back to the motel room and finished making our plans for climbing Katahdin tomorrow. My camera is fully charged and ready to go and so am I.John Galt wanted to go get a beer, so Hippie and I went with him to the Blue Ox Saloon. After I was in there, I realized that I had been there before.The streets of Millinocket were pretty much deserted, but the bar was packed. We had a good time and now it's time to get some sleep so I can make it to the top of Katahdin in the morning.It's tough being in a motel room with two girls...everytime I go to use the restroom, it's busy. Then when I do get in there, the seat is always down, so I got out my duct tape and taped the seat up. We're off to a good start on this hike...should be interesting.Another great day on the A.T.