Date: 2016-09-23
From: ME 17

To: Redington Campsite
Miles today: 21.2

Left at 7:45 am. ME 17/Height of Land view 1955.5 to ME 4 at mile 1968.7 for 13.2 miles then continued on to Redington Campsite 8.0 miles for 21.2 Miles today!Highlights: "Pesky view" = a nonexistent view due to fog or clouds. Pesky view of Height of Land at first start this morning.   Moxie Pond at 2333', Sabbath Day Pond Lean-to at 2377', Little Swift River Pond 2460', South Pond 2174' and after lunch at 1613'. Eddy Pond 2643', up to Saddleback Mountain 4120', The Horn 4021', and sleeping at Redington Campsite 3154'I made my guys oatmeal & plain dehydrated eggs this morning. Since rain was falling, adding hot water to the quart size ziplock was much better than cooking eggs or pancakes in the rain. My guys hit the trail at 745 am. I went to Rangeley, arriving before the outfitter was open. Subman called them yesterday to check on Bodyglide for Big Cypress. They are holding the last one. Oliver & I got daddy the bodyglide & I bought a AT baseball cap. Then we were off to IGA for some treats. Then the Farmhouse Inn, to talk to Miss Stacey. She's going to advise me on the local roads (gravel & dirt). As we were questioning Barnjam Rd. Stacey said it is under some construction and had some tricky turns & easy to get lost. So....we are going to avoid that scenario! Meeting them at ME4 for lunch then skipping Barnjam Rd, they will sleep in the woods, I in a cozy parking area on the trail. Back to Miss Stacey & husband Shane, they offered a shower & laundry, if I needed. They have owned the property for 2 years. Doing lots of construction and its an amazing home & Inn. Lovely, just lovely, couple & home/Inn. I filled our water reservoirs and was on my way. The drive was nice, short & lots of signs warning of Moose. Haven't seen one yet, unfortunately!!When I arrived at the parking area for AT, Miss Ruth's camper with Chasing Freedom & Hipbelt were there. I visited with them, in the warmth and dryness of the camper. Later, I spotted Gandolph & Boobytrap. A few minutes after they got a hitch into town, I met Skibow from South Carolina. He had some coffee with me, when Big Cypress & Animal arrived at about 1:15 pm. I snagged them a Huge sandwich, I should've taken a picture of it. It was as wide as long, cut in half & my hungry hikers made it disappear quickly. They sat & removed wet boots & equally wet socks. A smell, that indescribable, hangs over our area as we eat & visit. Wet hiker is a smell that's worse than the plain ol' few days of no shower hiker. So....after a quick lunch & loading of complete gear, as a night in the woods is their plan tonight. Rain stopped today about noon, cold front is here.I arrived at ME 27 about 3:30-4 pm. No privy as described on Guthook App. I walked WishBone & had my dinner of Ramen Pad Thai (I love that trail meal, you add peanut butter right before eating). Then we got snug & warm in the back of the truck. I'm currently listening to A Walk in the Woods, about the AT by Bill Bryson. It's much better than the movie of 2015. 5:30 pm, A motor.... pausing by WishBone & I, I peak up, it's Liz! She was curious if I wad in the back or out on a walk. We chatted a bit, getting chilled at about 630, we called it a night! She slept in the back of her white Honda van, next to our white Tundra truck. It's going to be a cold night. WishBone & I even pulled out my 0° down quilt to cover our sleeping bag.Critter Report: Turkey lots of Turkey, Blue Jays, Northern Flickers