Date: 2003-08-21
From: Frye Notch Lean-to 

To: Hall Mountain Lean-to 
Miles today: 10.5

A great day today, once again! Tom, Thirsty Boots, Hotdog and I were up at 6am, anxious to get to some real food. I was also ready to talk to some family on the phone, especially to wish Ma a Happy Birthday. Tom left first, followed by Thirsty Boots, then Hotdog and I. Walkabout left sometime after us. She was still in her sleeping bag when we left, although she was awake.The hike to East B Hill Road was fairly pleasant after the body-awakening short, steep ascent right out of the shelter. We made it to the road around 9am, and Tom and Thirsty Boots were sitting there waiting for a ride. Tom said he saw one car in the 15 to 20 minutes he'd been there. The four of us waited: talking, sitting, standing, throwing rocks at trees. A couple of vehicles passed, but it took at least 45 min until a pickup truck passed. The driver said we could hop in the back, but warned us that it was quite oily back there and anything we didn't want to get oily should be put in the front. Our packs went in the front, but we all sat in the back for the ride to town. On the way in, Thirst Boots' hat got blown off his head, and onto the side of the road. We said we'd try to find it on the way back. After food. Priorities."Town" of Andover consisted of Andover General Store, Addie's Place (restaurant), and a couple of hostels. We ate first, once again, priorities. It was around 10:30, but breakfast or lunch were available. The others had breakfast, but I split. I had a cheeseburger, potato chips, macaroni salad, and two pieces of toast. I wasn't sure I wanted pie yet, so we all went allllll the way across the street to the general store for resupply shopping.I made some calls, talking to Pa, Ma, and Hummbob and Rejoyce. I wished Ma the Happy Birthday she deserves, and briefly discussed plans for when they come up (in 10 days!!). Then, when I found out Hummbob and Rejoyce are coming up here THIS WEEKEND, I was excited. Especially since I should be in a town Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning, and should have some time to visit with them.We were done with our chores and ready to go back to the trail before 1pm. We stood by the not-so-well-travelled road, waiting for a hitch back to the trail. It took a while, once again, but not as long as it took to get into town. The guy who picked us up was only going about 2mi, but drove us the 8 or so miles to the trailhead, AND stopped where Thirsty Boots' hat was so he could get it back. What a guy! At the trailhead, Thirsty Boots and Tom headed just a bit south on the trail to a swimming hole they found. I followed, and so did Hotdog. We all took off our boots and shirts and carefully climbed in the chilly water. It was cold! And refreshing. And cold. But it felt good. After 15 or 20 minutes of cold water bathing, we got out, dried off our feet, put our shirts and shoes and headed north once again. It's nice to swim, even though the water is quite chilly. I might not even need a shower in Maine!It didn't take long, however, until I was sweating again. Oh well, I'll have to find a pond tomorrow. Once I caught up to him, I hiked with Thirsty Boots most of the way, and Hotdog and Tom hiked together. It's fun being around the same people. The conversations have more depth than usual. The hike to this shelter from town was fairly easy. It was mostly uphill, but gradually, allowing a 2mph pace. We got to the shelter just after 5pm, and SOBO Duece Bigalow Trail Jigalo was already here. Thirsty Boots and Tom are tenting, and Hotdog and I, plus Walkabout and Winging It (NOBO) are in the shelter.I've been having a good time on the trail lately. The miles have been shorter, but I'll have some long days ahead, especially if I want to get to Rangeley by Saturday. I think the four of us are all considering making it there Saturday. I want to enjoy the trail, but like to push a bit sometimes. This is really beautiful here. I am really enjoying Maine. I don't know if it's because I know the end is coming and don't want it to end, so I make an extra effort to enjoy it, or if it's just very pretty. The weather has been much more cooperative than in New Hampshire, and that has a lot to do with it too. I have been able to see from the tops of all mountains in Maine so far, and I hope it continues. I hear there are some awesome mountains coming up. I can't wait! I am looking forward to every day from here on out.