Date: 2003-08-14
From: Somewhere in New Hampshire

To: Somewhere in Vermont
Miles today: 10.0

Back Pack - $389 Sleeping Bag - $210 Tent - $269 Boots - $199 Trekking Poles $129 Goretex Jacket - $159 6 Month Supply Chicken Ramen - $119          Reaching the summit of Mt. Katahdin - "Priceless Woke up early, like 6:30. For some strange reason, the phone rang several times through the night. The most annoying was the 3 AM call. Headed north towards Killington. On the way I spotted a hiker holding a sign. It said Jonesville/Rte 100 No. I did a Uey and picked her up. Her name is Lori, trail name Tangent. She"s doing 87 miles of the Long Trail. She plans to do the AT next year. We had a nice chat about packs and gear and the next thing you know we're in Jonesville and I'm sending her on her way. She gave me 20 bucks for gas. Ended up driving through Hanover,NH home to Dartmouth college. Pretty town, but very expensive. Headed further north and ended up in Lincoln. It was promising to rain again so I got a cute little cottage. It sat right on the Pemi River and I crashed to the sounds of the raging river. Slept like a log. Woke up at 8 and startd to pack up. Planned to hike up to Lonesome Lake and very reluctantly headed to the trailhead. It was raining lightly so I waited til the shower passed and headed up the trail. Took the very muddy Pemi trail to the very muddy White House trail which led me to the very muddy White Horse trail. I accidently hiked a differnt trail than planned, another 1.5 miles or so but it all worked out. On the way had to cross White House Creek.   It was raging with the recent rains and I had to ford it. The boots stayed dry. Thank god for goretex and gaiters. In some places it was well above my ankles and the top of my boots. Once I passed the creek I continued north on the AT and uphill for another mile.Then I bumped into Wingin-It who was washing his socks out in a small puddle. I havent seen him since Roan Mountain. We chatted a bit. He told me a hiker girl named Found broke her arm 3 days ago and was still hiking. Now that's AT hiker determination. He also said he hadn't showered in 21 days. I am proud of him. He takes daily bird baths and looked great - no familiar hiker funk either. I also met Chuckles. He was headed into town for a drop and a shower. Continued up the very muddy and rocky trail and got to Lonesome Lake by 2:30. The place was packed so I meandered over to another shore and plopped on a rock and ate my peanut butter sandwich. Chloe enjoyed the mud and some treats. A few folks arrived and I started chating with a nice woman named Jeanine. We were talking about our hikes up to the lake and I mentioned I was a little confused as to how I got here and also how I liked to hang out on rocks more than hiking and she offered to drive me back to my car - awesome. We walked over to the beach area and hung out a bit then followed the loop around the pond then the trail back to her car. Weirdest thing when we got to her car she was telling me how much she loves her Toyota and I asked her if she has a name for the Corolla. She said her cars name is Petunia. I nearly wet my pants because thats what I call my car - Petunia Pathfinder. I think we would have hung out longer, maybe gotten a beer, but she was meeting family in 10 minutes and I was heading north. My gut says we'll see each other again. Headed north towards the middle of the White Mtns. On the way I passed the Man in the Mountain. Seems he's no longer home. Bummer. Found a cute little cabin for 25 bucks with great views of the Presidentials. Do the math, tent site 22 bucks with lots of people, or, bed with private bath - $25 - priceless. I talked to my folks then called Red rover and Peregrine. They live in Dover NH and I'll head there tomorrow afternoon. That is after I go back to Lincoln and pick up my pillows and bathroom bag at last nights cottage. Maybe hike some, maybe not.   peace and positivity,Molasses