Date: 2005-09-17
From: Potaywadjo Lean-to

To: White House Landing
Miles today: 2.4

Up and gone this morning by 8 am. It was raining steady and looked like there was no let up in sight. The weather report called for rain the entire day. Carl was a little low on food as well as funds so I gave him what food I had left in my back pack. My plan was to go to the landing, re supply and get back on the trail after lunch. The only question was would the rain let up.    Squid Jerky and I hiked together again and quickly did the 2.4 miles to the Blue Blaze trail that led to the Hostel's dock (after another .9 miles).   We ended up directly across from the White House Landing Wilderness Camp located along the shore of Lake Pemadumcook. Located on the dock was an air horn, like those disposable canisters you would use on a boat or at a football game, that you blew just once. With this signal the folks who ran the hostel would come by, pick you up and take you to their home (it was where they did live). Before they picked you up though, they would drop off those who spent the night the evening before about a half of a mile closer to the AT (back up the blue blaze trail). I watched as the boat drove by and noticed two familiar faces, Tom and Paul. If I made it to the Hostel last evening I would have been leaving with the two of them that morning (oh well, that was the way it was).   The rain was still falling as Bill, one of the owners, picked Squid Jerky and I up at the dock. I had no intentions of spending the night but once I got there and checked the place out, I decided to stay. I had three days left and 45.9 miles to go. If I left early enough the next day I would still be on schedule for the link up with my friend Bryan on the 20th. Between the cost to stay, the shower, the food purchased there and the re supply of meals I spent $91.05 (to the penny). I did not plan on spending so much money however, I was happy to be there. The Troll Family showed up, they went no further and Squid stayed as well. There were four other hikers that I can recall, one called Shutter Bug, PickWick (the section hiker from last night) and a married couple (section hikers).      The food at the hostel was excellent. I had their pizza for lunch and a one pound hamburger for supper (the thing was huge). The bunk house had a wood stove in it and we were all able to dry out our gear completely that evening. The shower water was nice and hot and by the next morning I felt completely ready to finish this trail. Sitting there in the bunk house that evening I read some, relaxed on a soft couch and contemplated on all that I have been through (I was just so thankful to be there). It rained on and off the entire day and in to the night (not a good day to be on the trail).   The new plan (the last plan) was to do the 42.7 miles to the Birches Campsite in two days, then summit the remaining 5.2 miles on the 20th as planned. Squid Jerky had more time on his hands and did not want to do two big mile days in a row. We decided to hike together the next day and go our separate ways towards the end of the day (which we did). The Trolls were in the same frame of mind as Squid was so we thought it would be the last time we saw each other as well. Everyone in the bunk house was in such a melancholy mood, it was border line surreal. We were so close, so very close.