Date: 2003-08-18
From: Frye Notch Lean-to (2280') 

To: East B Hill Road (1500') 
Miles today: 4.5

Aloha! I think I've died and gone to heaven! Or as close as possible without actually dieing or going to heaven. I'm in Andover, ME at... The Cabin. Life is good!   There's not a whole lot to tell about our hike out and down to the road. The trail skirted Surplus Mountain (2870') and crossed the West Branch of Ellis River (1350'). The best part is that it was all downhill. The hitch into town was pretty simple too. We waited about 10 minutes for the first car to come along and that's the one that picked us up. Unfortunately her name escapes me but she was a honey for picking up two dirty smelly hikers and delivering them to the local general store and diner. She was our first trail angel of the day and greatly appreciated.   It took but a moment for both of us to hustle into the diner and sit down. The ladies of the Andover General Store took wonderful care of us over breakfast. I'd be hard pressed to find two better gals for making your day start with a smile. They were great... and funny!   It had already been decided that I would be staying at The Cabin. It came highly recommended by numerous folks but most importantly, Pizazz. I had called for reservations while atop some mountain earlier in the week but was unable to tell them where we'd be when for possible pickup from the trailhead eight miles outside of town, which is why we had to hitch into town. When I called The Cabin to come and retrieve us from town I was surprised to hear Gutsy's voice on the other end! She had been there since yesterday when Pizazz delivered her and was now helping them out. What a surprise! Unfortunately no one was able to come get us so we were left on our own to find a ride for the short trip down the road.   As I walked out an actual taxi pulled in. Talk about trail magic! Or so I thought. After the driver's friend (?) called the base operator he came back with a price of $7.50. At the prompting of a second friend that had arrived it turned to $7.50 per person to go the three miles down the road. Ha! Fat chance. Coffee politely declined while I scoffed and we went off in search of a true trail angel or three-mile walk. Within two minutes our true trail angel came along - Jim the independent logger. It seems Jim had heard the gouging, not appreciated it and was happy to drive us down the road and did. Mahalo Jim the logger. We love you even if you don't hug trees!   The Cabin is owned by Margie and Earle Towne (Honey and Bear) and is a hostel for backpackers, their friends and family. It is recommended you call ahead for reservations. It was a good decision because they were booked. The hostel is a log cabin with a bunkroom, private room, a teepee, tent and RV space, and even trailers for those with animals. With the accommodations comes a whole floor for the hikers with a combined living room, kitchen, laundry, and reading room. The stay also includes a shuttle to the AT, a grill, tub, shower, CATV, VCR, a phone with voice mail, Internet access, and a hiker box. There are even cabin clothes while you wait and do your laundry. Wonderful!   As for food, all-you-can-eat (AYCE) family style meals. Tons of wonderful healthy food. Tonight consisted of a fresh crisp salad, corn-on-the-cob, grilled hamburgers, baked beans, wine, and a chocolate brownie cake with ice cream to top it all off. It was difficult to even move afterwards. Since Honey was out for the day with her daughter, everyone jumped in to lend a hand with the guys grilling Gutsy and new-to-me CeeBee helping in the kitchen and me doing the table setting and music selection (a compilation of classical). It was a pleasant and well-deserved evening if I say so myself. Quite enjoyable.   The rest of the evening was spent relaxing and meeting the new-to-me faces. There is the earlier mentioned CeeBee, a 50-year-old female NOBO, Coffee, Gutsy, and two SOBOs, The Alaskan and Sundance. It's been an enjoyable evening sitting on sofas, watching the weather channel and comparing notes with the SOBOs on what the future holds for each of us.   The first thing I've noticed about this crowd is that we're all... uh... older. Gutsy would be the youngest here at her ripe age of 30. There's not a 20 year old in sight. I don't know why but I find that interesting. Obviously it could be just the luck of the draw but for whatever reason, I'm thinking it may be intentional. It's not a bad thing either. {tee hee}   Okay, it's been decided, most everyone here will be slack packing in the morning. Most from different spots but all getting the miles in without the heaviness of a full pack. It sure makes things easier on the ol' knees. It may not be the way for everyone on the trail but it's the way for me tomorrow. A lovely ten-mile hump UP and over too many mountains but... without a heavy pack! Wuhuu!   With that said, it's time for me to get this bod up and off to bed. I'm full and tired. Two excellent causes for a solid night's sleep. You go have a brownie and enjoy every bite. I know I did!BSandTs: not today!AandPs: knees are knees... or notMandGs: wine with dinner... bloody mary before... no cheese!... waah!Critter count: too short a hike to see anything...sniff.Countdown: 256.5 miles