Date: 2006-08-07
From: Speck Pond Campsite, ME

To: Andover, ME
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: 0

Cell good.Today was another kick my butt day. We had a lot of mountains to climb, only to drop down and re-climb. We also had an arranged pickup at the trailhead for 5:00 pm. This created a rush situation that made us push hard all day. There were many beautiful vistas with excellent views. I would stop to enjoy the view and take a few pictures before moving on. Then the time spent added an element of having to push a little harder for the next portion.Well I was the last to reach the trailhead rendevous at 5:30 pm. None of made it on time, but I felt bad being last in. "Bear," the fellow who was meeting us, was patient about it, and all felt okay after all. We loaded up in his van and headed for "The Cabin" in Andover, ME. What a beautiful home they have that they share with hikers and others seeking a place to stay for a night or two.We arrived about 20 minutes before dinner, and I took a quick shower before sitting down with the rest of the guests. What a terrific meal they served! There were about 17 people there, and it took one large table and two side tables to sit us all. The meal was served family style, and Bear and his wife, Honey, made us all feel like family, too. The meal consisted of chicken, salad, and lots of vegetables from their garden. They topped it off with blueberry cake and ice cream. By the time I left the table, I was full.The next order of business was to go into town to the convienence store to resupply. As we were setting it up, Bear pointed to a truck in the yard and said to me, take that truck and bring the people needing supplies into town. The town of Andover is very small and "The Cabin" is a few miles out of town. We drove in and went to the two stores to get what we needed. We went to both, as the selection of what we needed wasn't that great at either so we had to mix and match. The two stores were only two doors down from each other, so we parked at one and went to both.While we were in the second store, the one farthest from the truck, the sky let loose. There was a terrific downpour and lightning storm. We got a little wet getting back to the truck, but it was quick and we didn't have to sleep in it, so what do we care.Note: This entry was also written after the fact as I was brain dead a few nights and couldn't write journals.Old GoatSue's Note: There was a thunderstorm going on around him as we talked this evening. I could hear the downpour in the background, and a couple times throughout our conversation the phone went silent after Old Goat saw lightening. That was odd, because he had full cell phone strength when we were talking. When there was a bolt of lightening, the reception either became choppy, or cut out all together.Old Goat said the hiking is very hard right now. He's putting on a lot of miles each day because he's hanging with Hindsfeet and Tinkerbell. Hindsfeet and Tinkerbell are younger and going faster than Old Goat, but they wait for him when they take breaks. He's enjoying being with them, even though the miles are tough right now and their pace is high. He's keeping up by not resting quite as long as they do...and catching up to them at night. It's hard, but he feels okay, so he's okay with keeping up with them this way. Apparently they enjoy his company, too, because they do wait for him to catch up. Old Goat is a wonderful guy. I talked with him about my being depressed yesterday, and why I think I'm having trouble right now. As we near the end of this journey, I'm struggling with the fear of re-adjustment after five and a half months - both for him and me. He comes home to no job (having retired right before he started the Trail), no AT (because it's finished), and a whole new lifestyle. I have to deal with not being part of something very special he just accomplished. We were going to do the AT together for so long - and I still have trouble with not being part of it.I also have to adjust to having him back in the house...his stuff scattered all over again...etc. (I am more organized and neater than Old Goat.) I know that all will be well, but from time to time my emotions get the better of me. I'm thankful I can talk about it with Old Goat, and he listens, loves, and lets it go. What a wonderful friend.