Date: 2017-07-27
From: Pine Ellis Hostel, Andover, ME

To: Pine Ellis Hostel, Andover, ME
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: light rain

7/27/17, Pine Ellis Hostel, Andover, MEMiles hiked: 1626.1, Miles to Katahdin: 246.8, Miles to go: 564.7 I awoke to a steady rain at the Pine Ellis Hostel and seriously thought about just taking a full zero day and staying in bed. Of course, I've never been good about sleeping in, so I got up and went to breakfast at the Red Hen restaurant. It is famous in these parts for its breakfasts. While I was eating breakfast, the rain stopped. So, I came back and loaded up a day pack with lunch and a few essentials and caught the 9:00 AM shuttle to the trailhead. I was taking a page out of 1st Sgt's game book and doing a "rolling rest day". I was slackpacking a ten mile section of the trail. By slackpacking, which consists of carrying a light pack with just a few essentials, I was able to give my body, particularly my knees, a rest while still continuing to knock down those miles to Katahdin. The section I was hiking was actually a pretty tame section. There was only one really steep climb near the end of the hike. The rest of the hike was gently rolling and not too rocky - a bit of a rarity for southern Maine. I hiked most of the day with Wild Thing, a primary school teacher in his forums from the U.K.  From what I can see, his name appears to be a misnomer. He's a very pleasant man and I enjoyed the hike very much. Several younger hikers who'd been hiking with Wild Thing before getting separated in the Whites caught up with us. It was fun to observe the joyful reunion. It's funny how intense the friendships become on the trail. You really don't know that much about the people in general, including their real names; but, hiking through blowing rain and insane terrain together builds a strong bond. And age does not appear to be a factor. Some of my best friends on the trail are 30-35 years younger than me. Feather, a young hiker Ive crossed paths with over the last few days, joined us for the remainder of the hike. About a mile before the pick up point, the threatening skies finally followed through on their threats and started soaking us with a steady rain. Luckily, we arrived at the pick up point at about the same time as the shuttle. In no time, we were back at the Pine Ellis Hostel.  I quickly showered and got my wet, smelly clothes into the laundry. The rest of the afternoon was devoted to lounging. Around 5:30 PM I headed to the Red Hen for Mexican Buffet - Thursday is Mexican night! Apparently, every hiker in a twenty mile radius knew that Thursday is Mexican Night. The place was packed! A few intrepid locals were present; but, the majority of the customers were hikers. The cool thing, looking around the room, is that I knew the majority of them - including Sitting Bull and Hoops!They had come off the trail at the same road crossing as I did yesterday. So, they are 10 miles behind me on the trail. We made plans to meet up in Rangely on Saturday. I decided to head across the street to the General Store, where it was less frenetic. I am now back in my room (with four other people) and settling in for the night. Tomorrow, I will continue walking north. Katahdin calls...