Date: 2005-09-08
From: Andover, ME

To: South Arm Road
Miles today: 10.1

Bear and Honey put on a pretty good looking breakfast. I say looking because I didn't feel like food this morning so I stuck with the coffee. People were up early today, by 6:30 at the latest. Pretty unusual when there is a bed to sleep in! After breakfast the first of the shuttles to the trailhead took off. Since Tink didn't show up last night, and since I was going to wait for her, I figured she wouldn't be here till late this afternoon. This probably meant another night here which I didn't mind at all. Gypsy, Touk, Mouth, and Thrifty were taking their time. With a fairly easy ten miles planned there was no hurry. Around 10:00 they were ready to head out. I had just walked outside when a car pulls up and drops off Tink. I looked at her in shock and said, "Are we walking?" She grinned and replied, "We're walking:" Panic takes over. I had already geared my mind for a nice, leisurely day, and now I had to amp it up again. Not an easy thing to do. I quickly gathered my stuff and threw it into the truck. Everyone else was surprised to see Tink also, but she explained that Whatsit had gotten off at Bethel and she had booked the last 10 miles ysterday to get within striking distance of Andover last night. I said my goodbyes to Phoenix Rising and Baltimore Jack. Blister Sister was on an errand so I missed her but I will see her at The Gathering. We piled into Bears truck, as he is trying to convince us that a zero day might be a good thing, and off we went. I want to thank Bear and Honey for evrything. Good people and a good time! The group finally got started hiking around 11:30. We had two good climbs to make, the first being up Wyman Mtn. It wasn't as bad as some of the othrs we have done lately and by time we finished it and reached Hall Mtn. Lean-to, half of the days miles were over. We ate a late lunch at the shelter and then pushed on. The next climb was up Moody Mountain, a 1200 foot climb and a butt kicker all the way! One thing aout the climbs up here is that there are no switchbacks and you go straight up the mountain. Sometimes you reach a false summit, only to look at a near vertical climb coming up. We do make it up them, huffing and puffing, as we go. I reached the top and saw Tink sitting in the grass by the overlook. I joined her and we just watched the view. Pretty awesome sight, no man made noises whatsoever, and we could see some of the trees having started their color chage already. After awhile we heard someone else coming to the summit. It was Touk. She joined us and the three of just relaxed for awhile. We only had two miles to go and that was going to be downhill and then level. Easy stuff! We eventually started down the mountain and arrived at the camp area around 5:30. Ten miles before dark and with a late start! About time! There were a couple of surprises at the campsite. Sundance Kid was there, hadn't seen him since PA. To Phat also, Duncannon since I had seen him. It still amazes me that I still run into people after all these miles and time! Easty, Fancy Pants, Goosebump, Hairball, and Longhaul were there as well. Another good day on the trail!