Date: 2007-08-04
From: Popular Ridge Lean-To

To: Gull Pond Lodge
Miles today: 11.0

mi. 11sleep hostel dest. Gull Pond Lodgeday 23*mileage note: Updated to correct mileage of 220.0.Well I survived last night. The campsite was at 3000 feet and when I went oversaddleback today the clouds looked over 4000, but under 5000. There were a fewthunder and simutainous lightning that had me a little worried. I did hear someof the loudest thunder I have ever heard in my life.I also have complete faith in my hammock rig. It rained a lot. I came outprefectly dry. I was pretty protected from the wind. It was only 10 mph or sowhere I was at. I think i would be fine if I was perpendiclur to the wind.I got up around 5:30 and poled around until around 7. I finally left theshelter and everyone else and still packing up.I did see a moose bull just past the shelter. I did not think they went uphigh, but this was well over 3000 feet. I probibly could have gotten a pic, butI was too busy making noise and trying to see if the fork in tne trail I justtook was the right one. It was, but of course it wasn't blazed and took awhileuntil I saw on.Today's hiking was spectacular. I went over Saddleback mountain today. It has3 peaks. The highest is just over 4100. I really like being above the treeline. The best part was once I got past the first peak, most of the hiking wasalong a ridge. It was a prefect day. Windy, but not too warm. Most of allpartly cloudy with tons of views. I like the views when there are some clouds. I think it gives everything a nice prospective. It is also pretty cool to lookout and be just below them. The bottoms look really flat. Something that youcan't see from below.Clay, Clint, and Jason caught up with me just after the last peak. I hiked mostof the rest of the way to the road with them. Man they hike fast. I stayedwith them most of the way, but let them go at the end.I did stop at a place just off the trail labeled caves. They where pretty cool. It was where huge boulders fell many years ago. There where blue blazes aroundand through them. Well worth the side hike. I think I could have spent all daythere. Yet another time where I am going to have to decide between miles andseeing things. Something I am going to contend with the whole time.I did get a really funny pic today. Something I have been wanting to take forawhile, but this was my first chance. I think it came out pretty good. I'llhave to try again when the opportunity presents itself. I may have mentioned itbefore. I'll leave everyone guessing until it gets posted. But I like it.I got to the rode after the other 3. The only people there where the northbounders across the street. I figured the others hitched in already. Thenorthbounders started walking down the rode for rangley. I stood out there for20 minutes watching the cars go by. I then got out my sign. Still no luck. Ifigured I had some weird mojo going on. So I spun around 3 times. The verynext car stopped. So it must have worked.The guy who picked me up was from New England somewhere and went to Maine forthe weekend. We pasted the 2 northbounders, but there was no more room in hislittle Saturn. He said he only pics up hikers. I asked him if he had anysuggestions. But he said I was the first he picked up in over a year.We headed into town. All I knew was it was 9 miles into town. I actuallydidn't know the name or location of the hostel. We stopped at an overlook forhim to take some pics of rangley lake. I asked another car there, but they hadno idea. I got out my guide book and at least now I have the name. We drovethrough the small town and did not see anything. He dropped me off around thecenter of town, which is all of 1 street.I walked down until I saw a woman sitting on a chair in front of a candle shop. I asked her. She said she knew of the place but only knew it was a few milesaway. I used her phone and left a message at the hostel saying I needed a ride.I sat down in a chair close to her. I looked over and saw Clint walking out ofthe bar next door. Of course, why didn't I look in there. I went in and joinedthem for 2 22oz beers with them. Man all I have to say is my tolerance is nextto nothing. That had me feeling pretty good. We called and left a messagesaying there were 4 of us at the bar. Jason named dropped Hoosier's name. Whoapparently gave them a note to give him saying to take care of us. I don'tthink it will get us anywhere.After awhile an older man came in and asked if we were looking for the hostel. Needless to say we stand out from the local or antiquing crowd. He was niceenough to leave and come back in 20 minutes after we finished our drinks. Bob the owner of the hostel is really cool. He is at least in his 60's. He ishalarious. We were talking about different places that take your pic along thetrail like the ATC office at Harper's ferry. He chimed in that the local policestation will do that too. He had a bunch of other jokes. He is also willing todrive you anywhere. He drove us to the store, then the others to the bar againlater.I opted to bring back food and cook. I inally caught up with the southbounderChris who Left Shaw's when I got there. I asked him if he wanted to splitdinner. He must of read my mind because he said how about lazona. Exactly whatI was thinking. We split that and garlic bread. Plus some carmation instantbreakfest and oatmeal cream pies for the trail. I also picked up some snackesfor the trail. Not bad for $24.I also picked up another Ben and Jerry's. Dinasour Fudge I think. Pretty goodand pint #5 for me.The hostel here is right on the lake. He said he has a canoe and kayak we couldtake out if we want to. I also did some lundray and showered. It also includesbreakfest. Not bad for $20. This place is really cool and just a little offthe beaten path. But my favorite hostle to date. I am going to do a fly thoughstop at andover and not stay the night. Or at least going to try.The plain for tomorrow is to to leave a little later and only head in 4.5 miles. There is a really cool campsite right next to a pond. There is even supposed tobe canoes there. The plan is to hike there and cook hotdogs and marshmallows. Plus maybe some beers. If it happens it is going to be a prefect spot to spendmost of a day.I also learned to repackage things. I think I already said it, but my cookiesare all over my foodbag in melted crumbs. It look me forever to clean it outtonight.