Date: 2003-08-07
From: Baldpate Lean-To

To: East B Hill Rd (The Cabin Hostel) Andover ME 
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: light rain

Day 147 Avg Mls/Day 13.0Weather: Much improved for the early morning hike. Hazy sunshine early then partly cloudy warm & humid with highs in the 80's.Today's Nature: Pretty sure I saw a moose. Heard it moving in the forrest and caught a glimpse of its head and ears. Won't count until I see the "whole moose."Falls: Today 0 Total 9Slept off and on in the full shelter. One of the section hikers got up just after 4:30, so I went ahead and got up too. Got a nice early start on the Trail about 5:30.It was a good move staying at Baldpate as the climb contined 1,000' up to the West Peak of Baldpate Mt (3,662'). That first mile took an hour. The Trail then crossed over to the East peak (3,812') For a change their were some nice views.Another NOBO thru-hiker, Dirty Harry, who was at the shelter last night, hiked with me for an hour or so. He left Springer about 2 weeks after me and just caught me. Had a nice chat about the Trail and got him to take my picture atop Baldpate.It wasn't long before Dirty Harry left me in his dust. I did catch up to him at the West Branch of Ellis River. The river was too high to cross without getting wet feet at the Trail crossing. He was already across, and yelled for me to go upstream where there was a fallen tree. I did just that and made it easily. That is one thing I heard from SOBO's...that they got a lot of wet boots in Maine due to deep crossings.Dirty Harry and I met up again at East B Hill Rd where there was trail majic...that ice cold lemonade sure tasted great!Another great "trail majic" today...Paul from Pine Ellis Hostel was there to offer free rides into Andover. Since he was so gracious I then planned to stay with him. Well, when we got there his wife said all the rooms were booked. We then called "The Cabin," who had a room and came by to pick me up. Thanks Paul for your hospitality...wish I could have stayed with you.Earl, from the Cabin, picked me up and showed me around town. That took about 3 minutes. As we passed The Andover Guest House, I saw Sue Bear sitting on the porch. We stopped and chatted for a few minutes. Earl then took me to his place and showed me around. Did my laundry and got cleaned up.Earl let me take his pick-up to town to eat lunch and pick up some food. There I had a burger fries and a frappe (what I call a milkshake). Saw Sue Bear and she was interested in updates on Charlie and others. She said, "Maine was kicking her butt." She was on a zero day after actually hiking past where I got off.   She then got shuttled back to the hostel...something I may do tomorrow.They have a private telephone here for hikers. Called Julia and she called back later. Also emailed my friend Richard Weed. He called, like in 5 minutes, and we chatted awhile.Earl asked if I could help out and pick up a hiker who was staying here and slackpackng. It was Sticks who got dropped off 14 miles or so north and hiked back to East B Hill Rd. We had met back at Woodstock.   There are 8 of us staying here tonight. Dirty Harry, Cuss, Sticks, Paparotzi and others I can't name.Tomorrow, I will hike north 10 miles with a full pack and the hostel will pick me up for a return stay tomorrow night. They will return me to where I got off the Trail Saturday morning.Thought for the Day: Short day for a short timer.