Date: 2006-06-27
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: October Mtn Lean-to
Miles today: 9.6

June 27, October Mtn Lean-to Nancy told me that part of the deal at UpperGoose is that guests are served pancakes for breakfast. She wanted to know what time I would be getting up. I told her that since my plans was for a short day; I would sleep in, seven. Nancy was happy to know she could sleep in too. So this morning I had real coffee and pancakes with maple syrup. Nancy and I talked about how she got the job off the Internet. This is a week long gig. She used to do it in July but it wasn't relaxing since the bulk of thru-hikers come. So she switched her time slot. I had hung all my clothes inside and for the first time in three days, I put on dry clothes. And MissKitty is almost dry. Then it was time for me to go. The weather radio said today will be a beautiful day, sunny and not too hot. And that is exactly what it was. The wind is brisk and keeps the mosquitoes at bay. The sun is bright and the temperature is just warm enough to not be chilly. It¢s a wonderful feeling. I have sunshine. The wind blows the mosquitoes away. Late start gives the sun some time to dry out a few low places. And Nancy has told me that there a few low hills. But most of my trip into Dalton will be flat. One has to keep in mind how relative the word flat is for folks who live in mountainous places. And the low hills are really not bad. After I cross over US20, there are boot prints on the trail before me. Now I'm perplexed and intrigued. At Beckett Mtn, there is a register and there they are five section hikers. A little down the way, I meet three of them. We chatted and found out we're all headed for OctoberMtn for shelter, so we say, we'll meet there. I pass them and find the other two at Finerty Pond taking a lunch break. I join them and find out they are all hikers and they are all older then me. Marge took 16 years to do the whole AT. I let them all go before me. I just want to enjoy being alone. Tomorrow I get off the trail. Also it may rain so I'd like to have an enjoyable day in my memory. From the lake it is four miles to the shelter. So I stroll, enjoying the trees and challenging myself to not get my socks wet. The trail passes through some low spots. Beaver action according to the book. And what a pleasant place to call the end of my experience this year. We all get here in plenty of time to snack and laugh and talk. These folks are from Vermont. They have hiked all sorts of trails. They have been friends for many years. This trip is ten days. Four ladies and Caesar, the token male, Linda's husband. Marge gives me her email and tells me her home is mine for my leg through Vermont.   Just let her know when I'll be out next year. Caesar builds a small fire. He claims to be a pyromaniac so he likes to build a fire everywhere he stops. The smoke keeps down the mosquitoes. As we have supper, another hiker show up but heads to the tenting area and we don't see her until she comes by to ask where the water source is. I'm in the loft and listening to the ladies talk about what their plans for lunch tomorrow. They are going to Dalton for a maildrop and hotel. I tell them if there is no room in the hostel, I may see them at the hotel.I hear more hikers. At least two more. We'll see what tonight holds. I may have to move over.Namaste'