Date: 2003-09-27
From: Grafton Notch, ME - Stratton, ME

To: Grafton Notch, ME - Stratton, ME
Miles today: 79.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Grafton Notch - Stratton, ME79.0 miles (1984.8 total miles)We were in desperate need of some rest, but couldn't afford any more time off. So we did what we could. We took one zero day, which felt great. Then we took advantage of the 3 competing Andover hostels to do some of the harder miles without our packs. And with staying in town, we were able to eat real meals several times a day to refuel. It's not an ideal vacation, but hopefully enough to get us through the tough parts before I break. I feel a little bad that I needed to ask for help, like the trail has defeated me. But I am still happy just to finish.We zeroed at my parents' motel on day 173. We looked at some of my trail pictures. We went to town for more Chinese food and more Giffords ice cream. We relaxed, had dinner, and ended the day playing cards. Thanks Mom and Eddie for helping us recuperate at the motel!We drove back to the AT on day 174. We dropped our packs off in Andover, and went back to Grafton Notch. We said goodbye to my mother and Hee Hee. We headed up over Baldpate Mountain. It was up and down a lot. The views were pretty, although it was slightly cold and windy. It was a long, hard descent down to the road. It was a nice 10 miles without a pack.We got to the road, where we found some hikers waiting for a shuttle. We waited with them for 20 minutes. A car went by, so we stuck out our thumbs and got a hitch from a friendly local couple. They had always seen hikers in town, and were happy they could finally help some out. We went back to the Andover Guest House, and had dinner at Addie's.We had breakfast and hit the trail by 9:00 on day 175. We hiked 2 miles up to a pond, where there was a nice little private cabin. The owner, Mike, invited us in for coffee and spring water. We also met Odyssey there, a hiker we knew long ago, but already finished. I wished I could have spent all day there. It was just more proof for me that there is not nearly enough time to do everything I wanted on a thru-hike.We reluctantly left and completed a long, slow ascent up Wyman Mountain. We stopped for lunch at the shelter below the mountain, then continued way down to a river. Then it was a crazy steep climb up Moody Mountain. On the way down, we met another old friend who flip flopped, Jack on a Mountain. It was fun to see Jack-O, but also a little sad that the mystery of when we'd meet up with him was over. We got to the road and played rock petanque until our shuttle arrived. We went back to Addie's for dinner, then back to the Guest House for the night. It rained on day 176. Ugh. We left Andover, and it drizzled on us all the way up Old Blue. I was glad that Hopeful let me borrow his rain pants when he bought new ones. It was long and steep, and we pretty much ran it, as we didn't want to be late for our shuttle.The trail followed the ridge for a while. It went up and down, over the four peaks of Bemis Mountain. I was never really sure which peak we were on. It was a tiring day, and I got completely soaked. The rain started coming down harder, until it was a complete downpour. We had to ford a river, but there was no point taking off our shoes, since they were already soaked. The only thing that got us through the day was knowing there was a shower and warm bed waiting for us back in Andover. It was a miserable day, even without our packs. I got back to the Guest House mentally and physically drained. It was a hard day, even with no packs.We left the Guest House on day 177. It had been a very nice place to stay. We hiked out from Oquossoc later than we had hoped, and had to rush. It was a mostly easy day. There was a beautiful lake only 3 miles in. We stopped for lunch. It was windy, and the lake almost looked like the tide was coming in. We hurried on, past several lakes. The leaves were starting to turn, which was beautiful.We rushed too fast to completely enjoy it. I practically ran the last mile, and finally met up with my mom and Eddie. They brought us donuts, and drove us to town. They had also picked up our packs in Andover and brought them. We had dinner, did a few chores, and hiked out. Thanks again Mom and Eddie for all you have done! We hiked out 2 easy miles (with a bag of donuts in hand) to camp at Piazza Rock Shelter.I checked out Piazza Rock before leaving on day 178. We hiked for a few miles for a quick break at Eddy Pond. Then it was a surprisngly easy hike over Saddleback. Then the day turned to hard. It was a long, slow climb down, then back up over The Horn. I felt drained. I needed to stop for lunch.We hiked up Saddleback Junior, which was much tougher than its predecessor. We came down, and finally levelled off. I was concentrating on crosing a bog bridge, when I heard a shuffling through the woods. A large moose ran out in front of me. She stopped on the trail, and stared at me. I had forgotten just how big a moose is! She finally jut sauntered off. About a half mile later, I spotted another just off the trail. After just 9 miles, we stopped at a shelter. Rain was in the forecast, so we called it an early day. It was clear when we left on day 179. We started with a descent to a river that was barely passable by rock-hopping. We climbed up Lone Mountain. Then a strange thing happened - the trail got flat. We hiked for several miles on flat, soft ground. It was great! We climbed up Spaulding Mountain, then hit another long flat section. It felt good to be making miles again! We passed the mark of less than 200 miles to go! We ended the day with an insanely steep down to the Carrabassett River, where we camped for the night. It was a beautiful rocky river, with the trees turning and comfortable temperatures.We did 8 miles into Stratton on day 180. Slack Master H and Linda White Shoes picked us up, and brought us to the post office. Thanks Carolyn and Les for the packages! Then we slacked 3 miles up Crocker Mountain. It was misty and foggy. Then it was 5 slippery miles back down to the trailhead. Thanks for the slack and all you do, Slack Master and White Shoes!Overall, we are back on track. The worst is behind us, and the trail gets easier. We are still crunched for time, but glad that the miles are doable again. The end is near, and I am not sure what to think about that. Only 187.8 miles to Katahdin!