Date: 2003-08-08
From: East B Hill Rd (The Cabin Hostel) Andover ME 

To: South Arm Rd (The Cabin Hostel Andover ME)
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: light rain

Day 148 Avg Mls/Day 13.0Weather: Continued humid, cloudy, scattered showers. Little sun in afternoon, high around 80Today's Nature: Saw a full blown moose...but not on the Trail...I'll explain.Falls: Today 0 Total 9Got up at 6 to a fantastic breakfast here at The Cabin. Had to make my own omlet which turned out pretty good. Also had great hashbrowns, bacon, blueberry pancakes and ripe melon. Great start.Earle & Marge put me to work before my hike. Since I was doing a short section that would take about 6 hours, they had me run Sticks and Dirty Harry back to the Trail. I drove them in Earle's pickup over the backroads and logging roads. It was on my way back to the hostel that a beautiful large moose crossed the road in front of me. Okay, maybe you don't think moose are beautiful, but I was happy to see one.By the time I back and Earle dropped me off at the Trail it was 8:45. I want to remind you that I am carrying my full pack even though I could have "slackpacked." The 6 mile hike up to Hall Mtn Lean-to was a fairly gradual climb and not strenuous. It did rain for an hour and made the Trail that much more of a mess. There was way too much over growth. Brushing up against it soaks the shorts and shirt more than the dripping rain. There was a section of 100 yards or so before the shelter where the growth had been cut back. It is rare and much appreciated when the Trail clubs do some trimming along the path.At the shelter was a young male section thru-hiker, Quasimoto. He had just returned to the Trail after 6 weeks vacation out west. Said his knees were killing him. He had stayed in Andover last night.The register had a lot of entries frfom hikers "slackpacking" this section. One hiker, Bodacious, took exception and called them all a bunch of wimps. That prompted a sharp response. I left a half page entry with every other line reading, "But I am not slackpacking."The last 4 miles was a steep up and down. As soon as I left the shelter it started raining again. This is getting aggravating. I'm never going to get used to hiking in the rain but I have tried to learn to live with it. My boots, which dried out nicely yesterday, are wet again.Earle was there waiting for me when I reached South Arm Rd. Took me back to the Cabin where I showered and washed the clothes.Earle then went after Rocky, a nice young man that was out slacking today. He is a Jr English major from Atlanta. He had stayed here last night and his girlfriend is coming in tonight.Another couple from CA are here, Spike & Hopper. He is finishing his section and is heading toward Katahdin. They have a nice pop up truck camper and were the ones who left the Trail majic at the road yesterday.A French Canadian is also here staying in the bunkhouse.Took Earle's truck and ran into town for some sodas and eggs. For dinner we had a great meal of BBQ chicken, sweet corn, green salad and potatoe salad. The food is wonderful here.I didn't mention they have a 12 year old beautiful yellow lab, Sheba. Its been a great stay and nice part of the Trail experience. Thought for the Day: Who's not a slackpacker?