Date: 2014-07-26
From: South Branch Carrabassett River

To: Stratton, Maine
Miles today: 8.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Today is the day that things start going downhill. Last night it began with a flutter in my stomach when I went to type something into my phone and the screen waivered in a weird way. I just turned it off and went to bed. Out of sight, out of mind.Woke up this morning cold again. I still think its amazing that places can be cold in July in the northern hemisphere. Not as cold as last night, but cold. I'm hiking a short 8.3 miles into Stratton and taking a nero so I can resupply and clean up before the last four days to Monson. I turned on my phone and it fluttered again. Ugh. Before I left, I was well into the time limit to get a cheap new phone, but decided I'd just wear this one down as I knew it would get banged up out here. I should mention btw that my phone is my phone, camera, ipod, internet, and notepad all in one, so when it goes no posting to journal or checking email or calling home. I'm so isolated! Good thing I wrote all the important numbers down on a little card before I left. I've carried it all this way. Decided to keep the phone off until I really needed it in Stratton, then send out a blast email that it's a goner and just use it sparingly. Off I went, three miles uphill and five down. The uphill, albeit very steep and exposed, went by so quick! The downhill though took for ever. The first thing I did was scrape my arm on some branches and make it all bloody. Then I got my pole stuck between two rocks and slipped and DANG IT I bent it. Just bought them in Gorham too. It's a good bend but I figured out how to still use it. Later, my shoes, which will barely make this final 200 miles, kept getting snagged on roots and tearing more. They're almost ripped clean across and my pinkie toes are both raw from the sticks poking them. Couple this with my recently lightened knuckle and I'm beat up! Caught up with Lady Moose and she and I got to the road together to hitch into Stratton. Not much luck at first but a truck pulled up and started loading fallen birch logs so we ran over and offered to help if we could get a ride into Stratton. He was going there anyway so bingo!We both were going to check into the White Wolf Inn as we heard the Stratton Motel across the street with the bunkroom has the norovirus. Like this place, small, rustic rooms, nice bar with a Ms Pacman sit down machine and good food. I had a 1/2 pound Wolf Burger that comes with a sausage patty and bacon. No cholesterol either. If you finish you can "buy" a $6 shirt. I not only finished, but got dessert. Unfortunately they didn't have any rooms for 4 that Moose needed so she went to the Stratton. Hope she doesn't get sick. Got my resupply and did laundry and saw her on the way back. She invited me to a dance party that I so wanted to go to but....the virus! I can't get sick on top of all this with only 14 days to go.Incidentally, my phone is now shot! Nothing but a garbled screen so if you're reading this, I've either gone to a library or got a new phone after it's all over in Portland. Bummer. (BTW...I'm actually in Monson using the hostel's computer).Bought a journal after my laundry so I can at least try to keep up everyday. At the bar (imagine that) filling out the day, pissed about the phone - just two more weeks was all I ask! About to have a strawberry shortcake to ease the pain. Met up with a bunch of other hikers, had a few drinks, then dinner. Went WAY overboard as normal and had a huge stomach ache. Had to go back to my room and just lay there for an hour, missed the dance party. But had the good luck of watching two episodes of the Golden Girls, two of Cosby Show (two of my favorite shows) then saw Miss Congeniality was on - not my favorite but of all things, the scene that was on, was filmed IN MY OFFICE. It's the one in Candice Bergen's office - I actually choked on a gulp of water when she asked me where the restroom was. Then was some roller girls movie that was also filmed in Austin and it was bizarre to see pictures of home.