Date: 2005-07-28
From: fire wardens cabin

To: Ore Hill shelter
Miles today: 12.6

Fire wardens cabin to Ore Hill shelter It rained and blew outside all through the night. The first time I woke up early this morning it looked like it was still windy and cloudy out. By 7 or so the clouds had cleared and the sun was shining in through the windows. What was even more wonderful than the blue sky outside was a chill in the air! The storms definitely brought the cool weather that had been promised. Before heading north on the trail, we went back to the fire tower and went to the top to take in the views we missed for the clouds yesterday. What a view! There were still some low fluffy clouds in the valley, curling around the side of the mountains below us. It was marvelously clear to the north though and we could see into northern Vermont and we think Moosilauke Lake in New Hampshire, which is actually pretty close now. It is a good feeling being back into real mountains now, seeing mountains for miles and miles all-around when we have a view. The views seem to be getting more plentiful now, which certainly makes the increasingly long and hard climbs to a little easier to bear. After a midmorning break we headed for our big climb for the day up Cube Mountain. The day did warm up, and I was definitely sweating on the climb, but it was far better than the past few days have been. There were several open rocky vistas on the way up, then from the summit it was another 360 degree visual extravaganza. It was neat to look back and see Smart's Mountain and the fire tower on top of where we come from. Not much interesting scenically after Cube Mountain, though on the descent there were several DOC kids out doing trail maintenance. There were some beautiful new stone steps recently put into some switchbacks and steep spots. That trail maintenance is very hard work and without it we wouldn't have this wonderful trail. So a million thank-yous to the thousands of maintainers who make the A.T. what it is, and keep it available for our epic adventure. It got hotter as we came down the mountain, and I got thirstier. With each step the more I needed something yummy to drink. The warm slightly chlorinated water was not cutting it. The guidebook said that at the bottom of the mountain there was a road and 4 mi. down that road there was a country general store. When we reached the road it didn't look promising and the mosquitos were many and vicious and the road looked quiet. We stood there doing the mosquito dance (hopping around, twisting and limbs flailing trying to simultaneously chase away, avoid and kill the bloodsuckers), and tried to decide what to do, how long to wait for a ride, etc. We were just starting the "how long are we willing to sit here, unwillingly donating blood, and wait for a ride before we move on" conversation, when a little red pickup came up over the hill and down the road towards us. Sure enough he pulled over, and he was going to the general store to. Even more perfect was that he first needed to get gas, then he was headed back the other way. The very nice man waited for us to get our cold drinks and snacks, and took us back to the trail. Perfect! The last couple of miles were misdeal hell, as they ambushed and that on us by the hundreds. They moved me up the hill fast though! Now, laying in the safe and bug free sanctuary of the tent. Aaaaahhhhh.Danger