Date: 2008-08-17
From: Story Spring Shelter

To: Spruce Peak Shelter
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Another great day on the AT about to unfold.Medium Rare and I headed out at the same time, we had been hiking a ways and then ran into Sprite& Freckles whom were Slack packing south.It was good to see them, I did miss them. My eyes lit up when Sprite pulled out a can of coke for me. Wow, as if seeing them again wasn't good enough, she had to up it. She then pulled out a can of beer for Medium Rare. His face was like mine, partial disbelief, and part Disney Land.It can't get any better, being on the AT, being with friends, enjoying a little reunion and trail magic all in one. It couldn't get any better, but it did!With another grin on Sprites face, and her eyes twinkling, she then pulled out a bottle of "Little Black Dress" red wine."Little Black Dress" is our official Trail wine. Just the mention of it embodies the celebration and good times we have shared together.Sprite first introduced Freckles & myself to this back at the Cloud 9 hostel near Hiawassee in Georgia. This was over the top, thank you very much, I can't believe you did this , but am glad you did! Thank you, Thank you!After a short reunion, we said our temporary goodbyes and hiked off into different directions. A short while later as I was crossing over a wide creek, I noticed a man & his wife had set up camp just off the trail. We exchanged greetings and I learned he was a trail maintainer in this section and was just out for the weekend. He offered Medium Rare and I, to join him in a shot or two of Bourbon. That is hard to pass up anytime, it was still morning but that was not the reason why we declined. Although very appreciative, we had a 4000 footer coming up and we had learned this lesson back in Cheshire. So with a thanks and farewell we continued on.Making our way and upon reaching the top of Stratton Mountain, we were surprised at the number of people we saw, there had to be at least 40 or more? Only they didn't walk up the mountain like we did, they rode in gondolas. This was near a popular Ski area. The immediate attraction here was the fire tower on the summit. We were fortunate enough to meet the caretaker Hugh and his wife Jean. Hugh had actually worked this tower in his 40 year career. Although, the use of most towers have become obsolete with advanced aircraft and satellites beginning in the 80's, he was still asked to stay on.We had our pictures taken with them as they are a part of living history. I felt very fortunate to have met them and they shared alot of interseting information. After climbing the tower and seeing more of where we had been and what lies ahead, it was also lunch time.We learned of the side trail that led .8 tenths of a mile to the gondolas at the top of the Stratton Mtn. Ski area. It was only running on the weekends, and Thru-hikers were free from paying the $12.00 charge. My question to Medium Rare was "when else would we have the opportunity to ride a gondola on the AT"?This being Sunday, and there is food and drink waiting for us in the ski village below. Enjoy a scenic ride down, have lunch, ride back up and continue on? Well after you put it like that, needless to say, it wasn't long before we boarded our own enclosed gondola and enjoyed the wonderful view as we traveled in style down the mountain in which we had climbed from the other side earlier.The village was quaint with many different shops and places to eat. We settled for a place that had an outdoor patio. When we ordered Long Trail beer, I had mentioned to the waitress that we didn't want the kiddy size, she smiled and returned with 2 mugs that were near the size of pitchers. Yeah baby, The hamburger we ate was excellent, one of the best I have had in a long time. At least for now, I was full. We made our way back to the gondolas, and enjoyed the ride back up to the top.After collecting our packs, Jean had offered us both chocolates in which we readily accepted. We said goodbye and were headed back down the other side of the mountain.We still had about 10 miles to go, fortunately alot of it was downhill. The miles were relatively easy. We soon stopped for a break of oreos and a coke.In the last 3 miles we briefly walked on a remote logging road, there in the middle of nowhere was a garbage can chained to a tree. What's wrong with this picture?Well, since someone went to the trouble of putting it here, the least we can do is put something in it? Since we forgot to take our trash down to the ski village earlier we have been afforded this second opportunity to get rid of it now. The bag was fresh and the can was empty so someone definitely checks on this.We arrived at the shelter and tented nearby. The shelter was actually a cabin, with a sliding door, windows and wood burning stove inside. Had it been colder this would have made an excellent retreat. Later T-Bone and Trail Fox arrived. They set their tents up on the porch, yeah it had a covered porch too. I talked with them for awhile before calling it a night.Medium Rare and I have had a good time hiking together. Unfortunately, I will be taking a Nero tomorrow in Manchester Center where I will be meeting back up with Sprite & Freckles, however Medium Rare will be moving on.He did come up with a plan in that tomorrow, once we arrive to the road crossing, he will hitch the 5 miles into town with me so we can have breakfast together before saying goodbye. Sounds like a plan to me? Pancakes are sure sounding good ever since Medium Rare put the idea in my head. 18 miles done, with such a rewarding an eventful day. You just never know when you wake up in the morning what the day is going to bring?