Date: 2005-08-28
From: South of Middle Moriah Mountain

To: The Barn in Gorham, NH
Miles today: 5.5
Weather: fog

Up and gone by 7:03 this morning. What a great night. The Sunrise was hidden by some overcast but, it wasn't raining yet. It didn't take long to hike the 5.5 to US-2, just 1.9 miles north of the Rattle River Shelter. I hitched in to Gorham, NH and got a ride from a young lady who had hiked sections of the trail in her past. She dropped me off in front of the "Barn" at the "Libby House" and I got a bed for the night (16 dollars for the bed and four dollars for laundry.   Apple Pie and Plumb Pirate showed up eventually, Sam-I-am was there as well. I have not seen her since trail days. There were about four other hikers there including Gozar. Gozar was sick and taking some time off, it was good to see him even though we did not spend much time with each other. He went to the Royalty Inn and eventually sought out medical help. I believe that was the last time we saw each other.    Phoenix Rising was there supporting Crazy Legs, and as always offered anyone a ride into town (what a good person she is). She was working then at the "Cabin" in East Andover, ME a number of miles north. I told her I would look her up when I got there (which I did). Gozar and I excepted a ride and he settled in to the Hotel as I went across the street to the Welsh's Restaurant. They served up an excellent breakfast bar, I waddled out the door about an hour later. I was hoping Gozar would show up but he didn't.   It was Sunday and I took a chance that an old friend may still be in town so I grabbed a local phone book and looked up her address. Her name is Peggy and if you are an SF guy from the 10th, she is known for her hospitality. I first met her back in 1979 (damn I am old) when I was thinking about going into the Special Forces. I stopped in to see her after that from time to time, the last was back in 92 just before my unit moved to Colorado. I did not know if she would remember me but, after I re-introduced myself and told her I was a retired 10th grouper, she welcomed me with a big hug (I felt like I went home). She yelled at me for not stopping in earlier and staying at her house for the night. I told her I did not want to intrude, she made it quite clear I was welcomed. In her words I was told, "don't come in the front door, my friends come in the back". We talked for hours about people we new, and unfortunately about those who have recently fallen.    She had a young man, "Bud", staying with her. She asked him if he would go to the store for some beer. I asked if that was for us and she said it was. I told her to put her money away, I was buying. We had a good time that evening (Bud went to the store twice). I promised her I would stop in and see her the next day before I left. I also asked her if she needed anything done around her house (as all SF guys who stop in do). She needed to have her porch painted and I said I would do it the next day. The weather did not corporate so I promised her I would come back after I finished the trail, some time that Fall. I called her in October and she said she had it done already. I was about to get on the Harley and ride up there, paint the porch and spend some more time with her. She thanked me and said to keep in touch. She is like a Mother to all the SOF folk who know her, I called her then as I do now, "The SF Mamma".   After leaving Peg's house (Safe House North) I walked back to the Barn. I passed by a bar that had a number of familiar back packs out in front of it. It was full of thru-hikers who were having a good time. Not for me though, not that night. As a result of spending time with Peg, I felt good inside, a feeling of belonging. Something I truly miss.