Flying High

August 18, 2015

Today was a travel day. You know that saying, “You can’t get there from here.” Well, it kind of feels that way. It seems to take forever to get to these little trail towns. When I came home from Rangeley, I left the hostel that morning a little before 9 am and got home a little before midnight. I had to use pretty much every mode of transportation with the exception of a boat. I took an hour shuttle ride via car to the bus station. Then, I took the Concord bus for over an hour (after waiting in the station for an hour and a half) from Augusta, ME to the station in Portland, ME. I then had to hail a cab from the bus station to the airport. After another long wait in the airport, I caught my flight to the Altanta airport, where Danny was waiting for me so we could make the hour drive home. Ugh–no easy way.

This time going back, I (and my wonderful husband) got up at 3:45 am so we could get to the airport by 5:30 am so I could catch my 7 am flight to Baltimore and then another flight from there to Portland, ME. This time, since I don’t plan to be here that long, I rented a car and I’m going to keep it within shuttling distance of me all the way. That way I can drive myself to and from the airport and also pick Danny up when he comes. There is a shuttle that will take you from these towns to Portland for a mere $250.00 one-way fee per person—NO THANKS. It will be nice to have a car every few days to do my own resupplying instead of hiring shuttles also.

The drive from the airport was a little over 3 hours. By the time I got to Millinocket, it was mid-afternoon.

I was greeted at the inn by Joyce, Pilgrims wife. We had a nice dinner in one of two restaurants here.

The weather is beautiful today. I’m not even looking at the forecast. I have to hike whatever the weather is. I may be quacking like a duck or be a dried up prune or might could play a part in Frozen before I’m done–who knows–who cares. It will be what it will be. No need to fret over it.

I have a morning shuttle tomorrow to get into the 100 Mile Wilderness to meet up with Poego, Pilgrim, Still Thinking and Wandering. I’ll hike with them tomorrow thru Friday. They will summit Big K on Sat., but I will go to Monson and hike the first 2 days of the wilderness alone. On Monday, Pilgrim will join me at the KI road in the wilderness (he missed 2 days due to an unfortunate mishap Joyce had with their car trying to pick him up in the wilderness. She got lost and stuck on a rock in a mud bog. Long story, but all was ok but he missed these 2 days). So—I’ll have his company on Monday and Tuesday, which will be nice. Also, I might have the pleasure of slackpacking those 2 days if Joyce is going to give driving in the wilderness another try. We’ll see.

I’m sure there is no service for the next couple of days, so I’ll update when I can.

Ready to get back at it.