Rain, Rain Go Away... June 29, stopping & drying out 220 miles in...

June 30
Andrew and 3 fellow hikers hopped off the trail late yesterday, hitched into town (in pairs)to stay at Gull Pond Lodge just NE of Rangeley, ME. The hostel offers bunks to hikers, and they were fortunate to have a ride into town to do laundry, get mail, and purchase groceries to set out this morning. I was delighted to get an unscheduled call from Andrew last night.

The last 4 days have been "totally socked-in with no let up of pouring rain" since the storm started in Stratton. I was relieved to find out the only lightening and thunder storm since the trip started was the afternoon they returned to Stratton... the rest has just been rain.

Joe, a brave and frugle soul, camped at a campsite, but they'll catch back up with him today. The other 4 were looking forward to a hot shower and dry bunk. The last two shelters had "baseball bat flooring" made from saplings. Andrew was the last guy in the shelter Sunday night, so he got "the bumpy spot", where on sapling warped up, and one warped down, so he tossed and turned and is trying to decide if he wants his 2" air mattress mailed or not. Andrew prefers sleeping in his hammock, but he's ended up sleeping in the shelter most of the time.

So I ask, are you still having fun? "Oh YES!", Andrew quickly replies... "I can't wait to see a view rather than just looking at clouds all day, but it will be a while since it's suppose to rain for the next several days. We all have big hopes for instant sunshine once we hit the NH state line...about 60 miles from here." Some of the hikers are concerned about their pace, and Andrew's attitude is to take it a step at a time, and enjoy his way. He said he finds himself saying one of the Hiker's prayers about 4 times a day, especially with the rain and blowing wind..."Lord, if you will pick up my feet, I'll put them down.." He said "there was a 3.5 mile open, rocky stretch crossing Saddleback Mountain that was worse than when he climbed Mt. Katahdin because there was a lot more rain falling, and the wind was blowing harder, but that's part of the journey." He knew there would be times the hiking could be tedious...but he's so glad he's doing this.

"Trail lesson" they've learned the easiest way to hitch hike into town is in pairs. Two seems to be the number that folks will stop for.

"Tail Kindness" received this week - someone sharing their extra chocolate candy, rides into town, and the laundry mat owner, a previous thru hiker, treated them to a free clothes dryer.

So, next town is Andover, ME in a couple of days. I should get new journal pages and more pics...
Next mail stop (for outgoing mail mailed by July 1) will be Gorham, NH 03581. ETA July 6 - 7th.

Enjoy what your day brings,
Mom, Harriet