Date: 2007-08-01
From: Horns Pond Lean-To

To: Straton Hostel and Motel
Miles today: 2.1

Mi. 5.1sleep hosteldest. Straton Hostel and Motel*mileage update again to 187.8.day 20I have a theory I have been thinking about the last few days. Ever since thefather of the family commented that a lot of people in the Adorondacks in NYwant to leave a large area totally wild with no human access. I also have anaudience all to myself, so I thought I would share. I think the trail itself isreally good for the enviroment. I think a place with a well traveled trail isactually heathier than one without. Let me explain. The trail sees a lot ofhuman foot traffic. Which speeds up decomposing material on the trail. Thatleds to snails and slugs getting a good meal. Alosome bugs. It also makesmarshy areas which promotes bugs and frogs. People travel on the trail whichmeans food for insects, and a greater concentration of bugs. Which gives frogsand toads more food. There are btw a ton of frogs and toads on the trail. Thefrogs and toads are food for snakes and other animals. The trail is also anopen area for snakes to sun themselves. There a ! a lot of snakes on the trail. Animals also use the trail to get around. Mooselove it. There is tons of moose poo on the trail. Also moose antlers are huge,the trail gives them a good place. These animals also bring more bugs, andtheir poo brings more plantlife.Thank about it for awhile. I think there is more life on and around the trailthan you would normally see just off the trail. This is provided proper leaveno trace is fallowed. Not of the liter is confinded to shelters though.Speaking of LNT. I learned a new practice. When you brush your teeth beforeyou spit add some water to your mouth. Then spit. That diloots the toothpaste. I tried it last night and it makes a huge difference. You couldn't eventell where I spit. Something I am going to start to do each time now. I reallyneed to read up on that.I got a late start today. I was laying in my hammock nice and warm listening tothe family that did an overnight pack up. I started hiking around 7:30.The hike to the road wasn't that bad. Ust a little up fallowed by a long downhill.The coolest thing happened. About half way I stopped an took a pic of a beaverpond and damn. I hiked a little farther. There was a flooded out spot justpast it and just off the trail. I hear some splashing. I looked over and about15 yards away was a small, by moose standards, yearling moose. I was standingin the water. It stopped and looked at me and went about it's business. It wasputting it's head under water and get a mouth full of something. Then look andand chew it. I sat there and watched it for about 10 minutes before it finallywalked away. I got some really cool pics of it. I am really glad I got a latestart today and saw it. That makes moose #5 for me.I was thinking about it and I think hiking solo is a lot better for seeingwildlife. I am geting really good about not making any noise and walkingsoftly. I talked to other people who haven't seen much, but are hiking in agroup and making a lot of noise.I got to the road around 11:50am. I looked to time how long it took to get aride. I was there for 15 minutes. I really need to get better at it. Icounted after 5 minutes and the 15th car stopped. I guess that isn't too bad. I think I am going to make a "AT hiker to town" sign. That might help. I evenstop before and clean up. I always have my pack on and smile. I'll have towork on it.The lady who picked my up was really cool. An older lady in her 60's. She isfrom Oregon and lives close to the PCT and is used to giving hikers rides. Herson and a couple grandkids where supposed to be out hiking for a couple days. Really nice person. She dropped me off right at the hostel.I am staying at the Straton Hostel and Motel. A really nice place. For $22 Iget a spot in the bunk house, shower, lundray, use of a kicthen, free longdistance, and internet. Not too bad.I went across the street to a small grocery store. I bought food for the next 5days, ben and jerry's, 1 lbs ground beef, pack of chz, loaf of bread, and sloopyjoe mix. Not bad for $48. I also got some cholcate milk and AA batteries formy pocketmail. I figured instead of going out to eat I would fix a meal here. I managed to eat half of it for lunch and will finish the rest for dinner. Onceagain past hikers left some food here. I scored 2 beers, a banana, and some OJ.Originally I was not going to stay the night here. I just wanted to do a fly bystop. But I looked at my budget and I am way under. So I figured I deservedit. I budgeted $115 a week. But have not spent $90 yet. What helped was thatis not counting my food for the wilderness or my mail drop to Monson. I alsohave a mail drop in Andover for my next resupply. I have a feeling that my momsent a ton of food. What I can't eat or take with me. Can't say that is a badthing.It was nice tonight to lounge around and rest up. This makes my 3rd nero dayand 1 zero day at Shaw's. My body feels really rested. I think I am ready topush on through Maine.One thing I decided to do and keep forgetting to add is my Ben and Jerry'squest. I decided to see how much I can eat through the course of my hike. I amalso going to run the ganlet of favor's and get each one. Right now I am on my4th pint and 3rd flavor. I have had cookie dough, half baked, and today ChuddyHuddy. It is peanut butter filled pretzels covered in cholate in vanilla maltice cream with fruge and peanut butter. Pretty good stuff. Best of all it has1300 calories and 60 gtrams of fat. All the stuff my body needs.