Entering Maine will be emotional
I would like to wish a special happy birthday to the United States of America, who turns 232 today. It's a great day to be an American.
This morning was not a good morning. I did not sleep well last night due to the idiotic SOBO's partying and drinking like Armageddon was upon us. Cookie got revenge this morning by "accidentally" making a whole bunch of noise that "accidentally" woke everyone up. Another reason why going NOBO is better than going SOBO.
After consuming five packets of oatmeal for breakfast I partially packed up my bag and prepared to hitch into downtown Gorham with Cookie. We got a ride with a couple from Auburn, Maine. On the way I noticed a sign that stated:"Portland, Maine:87", meaning 87 miles. I'm only two hours from home.
In town we hit a coffee shop for breakfast and relaxed a bit. Our bodies have officially survived the White Mountains of New Hampshire, but we are wounded warriors. Cookie, for the first time, stated he was actually beaten down by the mountains, a rare statement for him. We needed a little rest.
We then hitched back to the hostel where we lounged around and received some rest.
At the hostel I deemed myself worthy of my first shower since Glencliff, not that there's been any place to stop and take one anyway. It gave me a chance to clean the several wounds the Whites gave me. It felt nice to be clean once more. After eating watermelon and cantelope(sp?) Cookie and I decided to hitch back to the trail. 12:10PM was late enough for me.
We eneded up getting a ride from a campground employee. We were walking north at 12:45PM.
I spent the entire hike thinking about Maine, where I shall be tomorrow. Maine represents the beginning of the end of my Appalachian Trail thru hike.
Tonight I am at Trident Col Tentsite, which is exactly 291.0 miles from the summit of Mount Katahdin.
At the tensite tonight there is an AMC Maine group out for the 4th of July weekend. Wayne and Jeff are co-leading their annual "Pizza Hike". With them are Jenny, her husband(forgot name, sorry), and Susan(Wayne's wife). It felt nice to be interacting with Mainers again, it was wicked sweet. Susan gave Cookie and me a chocolate chip cookie contraption. It was wicked good.
Entering Maine will be emotional.
And that's the way it was.
Kirby
Ga>ME 2008.
