Date: 2019-08-06
From: Sabbath Day Pond Lean-To

To: Rangeley Hiker Hut Hostel
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: few clouds

Day 142Grumper had some reception as he was sitting on a tree at the top of a mountain this morning, so he called.  Told me a few things he left out of his journal entries.  While climbing through Mahoosuc Notch his backpack slipped and hit his head causing his head to get stuck between the rocks! He told me, a's he was chuckling, that it took him quite awhile to get his head unstuck! He also shared that when he stayed at the Little Red Hen, their property buts up against the firehouse, the town had a battle of the band's. The battle ended sometime around 11, which is WAY past hiker midnight.  The guy he hitched with from the trail to the Red Hen was a hunter and was talking of going to bait his hunting spot for the bear hunt. He uses dunkin donuts that are 1 year old. Says they never get moldy! His goal for today is to hike up Saddleback Mountain ski resort. He took the final antibiotics today and said he falls great, hasn't felt this good in a real long time. His arms, legs, feet, everything is wonderful.  He is happy he went to the hospital. Hoping I get his complete entries in the next day or so.Tonight I stayed in Rangeley at the Hiker Hut which is 0.2 miles from the trail. It is really quite a primitive place with no electric, running water, WiFi, or any other modern convenience. They do have cold beer and Gator-aid if you want. The shower I took was with stream water that he heats some how and brown soap like my grandmother always used. But I am clean and getting a little buzz on. So some more about yesterday. The lake was great with a nice sand beach and clean clear water. Last night was the first time I head Loons calling. It was really quite beautiful. The hut and camp site were quite a mess. There were two large groups there. One was about 15 boys, teens, and a group of 20 girls maybe a little older. But there was not a camp site to be found. There was constant walking from campsites to the privy which goes right in front of the shelter. So at night all these kids with head lamps came walking past and they had to look into the shelter. Today's walk wasn't too bad.  I did the 9.4 miles before 11 and was in town, 9 miles away by 11:30. I had a large pizza and two 16 ounce bottles of soda. Tomorrow I start the Saddleback Mountain. Which will be all up hill all morning. There are calling for rain which will make it a little more interesting. If I can get up and over Saddleback and the Horn tomorrow I will be very happy.  My next resupply is 30 miles away in Stratton. I have enough supplies for that but it is nice getting into town. I am going to take a quick nap and maybe go into town again. I am not sure yet.  That is all for today. (When I spoke to Grumper he told me that tale of his hitch back to the Hostel. He was picked up by a man who was driving and his wife as a passenger-he was 87 and the wife was 93ish. He told me that they stopped, he couldn't not take the ride they offered. So off he went. My dad told them the place was coming up, the guy said ok. My dad then said take the next right-guy said ok. Dad yelled stop there is it! guy kept going and slammed on the brakes! it was quite comical the way he told me today)