Date: 2007-08-09
To: White House Landing, ME
Miles today: 6.8

6.8 milesHostelWhite House Landing, ME.I woke up to a beautiful, cool morning. It was 48 degrees and the sky was just getting light over Nahmakanta Lake.That was at 5am. I watched the lake for a few minutes, then took a couple pictures and layed back down for a while.I did start moving again about 5:45am. I had the last of the fruit pies that Frogcaller had given me and 1 piece of Jolt Gum...for the caffeine headache I could feel coming on. You know, Starbuck's withdrawal syndrome. :-))I just sat there for a while enjoying morning next to the lake. I did hear an owl, but I didn't hear any loons overnight.I was packed and started walking at 6:30am.I was just leaving when I met Hamburglar and Happy Sack. They had hammocked down the shore from me a ways.Hamburglar asked if I froze last night like they did.I told him I was nice and toasty. I carry my winter bag all year. I just lay on top of it when it's too warm, then drape it over me when it cools down. It only weighs a little over 2 pounds, so I don't see a need for a summer bag.They said they about froze to death in their hammocks.I had a nice walk to Marhar Tote Trail this morning.My legs are still very sore, but I've just been moving along at about 2mph or a little less to give them time to strengthen up.It still blows my mind that I'm having these leg problems. I really thought my legs would be good to go as usual...especially after all the pedaling I've done lately.That's not the case though. My legs have never been this sore before.I was walking down the side trail to White House Landing and met 3 nobos by the names of Pinky, Hellbender and Patrick.I've met Pinky a couple times this year...once when I was hauling hikers around at Dick's Creek Gap in Georgia, then again as Mrs Gorp and I rode through Damascus, VA on our bikes.I got to the dock and sounded the air horn, then took my pack off and layed down. It was hard bending my legs to just lay down on the dock.I was stretched out enjoying the breeze until I heard the boat motor start up about 10 minutes later.I got up quickly because I didn't want Bill to see how stiff I was.That didn't work because he said Linda had looked in the binoculars to see who was on the dock. She said it looked like Stumpknocker. Bill said that when he saw me getting up, he didn't think it was me.I guess I really am moving badly right now. It will pass soon enough and maybe I can start walking like normal again. :-))Bill even had a new boat this year with a 60 hp motor, so he gets across the lake pretty quick compared to the old boat.I sat and talked to Bill for a while. He and Linda are doing great now that they close down for the winter and go to Florida. He said that really helps financially.Linda had left to make a town run.I got a shower and layed a few things out to dry, then went up and had the famous White House Landing 1 pound deluxe burger with a couple Cokes.That should hold me for a few hours till diner. :-))I layed down on the bench next to the lake in just my shorts. I'm trying real hard to get rid of this biker tan I've got on my hands, head, feet and torso. :-))I couldn't ask for a nicer day to be here. It's about 70 degrees, breezy and full sunshine...an absolutely gorgeous day.I went inside when I felt I had enough sun and started answering emails. It wasn't long before I was feeling tired, so I took a 30 minute nap.Nick came in from walking. He's the guy John Galt dropped off the same day he dropped me off.Nick's new trail name is Von Moose. Well, Von Moose is a hurtin' pup. He started out too strong and is moving worse than I am.I feel much better now. Ha!! ;-))Linda got back from town, so I walked up to the lodge to see her and Ben.That's one of the best things about walking this Trail...seeing all your friends each year!Linda made me a 5 topping pizza for dinner. I was able to eat half of it, then wrapped the other half to pack out tomorrow...if my legs feel OK. I could easily end up staying another day here. I love this place!!They got a new gas refridgerator today and Ben was playing in the box it came in. When I walked by, he had a string sticking out of the box and wrote next to it to "Pull the string to have your fortune told".I pulled the string and Ben asked my name. I told him "Stumpknocker".He said "Stumpknocker, when you finish your hike this year, you will meet many sexy women".Hummmmm, does Ben know something I don't?? :-)) (Ben is only in the 3rd grade)Hamburglar barrowed my cell phone to see about him and Happy Sack getting off the Trail. I think he decided to walk on to Monson first though.I'm in the Shore House, which sits 15 feet from the edge of the lake. It's alkost sundown and absolutely beautiful looking out over the lake.Now if only a loon would start talking.......Another beautiful day on the Appalachian Trail. :-))