Andover, ME

Today we were able to slack pack 10 miles and had to ford 2 rivers. We were lucky to get a beautiful day; no rain! Good thing! The first river was just above my knees. The second river was at the end of our day! Dan went across first with his pack over his head holding one hiking pole with his other hand to keep himself from being carried away with the current. He dropped his pack on the other side and came back to get me! The river was up above his waist so guess where it was for me! He came to get me and the current was stronger than I realized. Dan held one of my arms to keep me from being swept away with the current and then basically 1/2 way through I wasn't touching bottom so was kicking my legs as Dan pulled me till I could again touch bottom! So I was all wet except my head! It was coooold water but luckily I was able to warm up quickly in the sun! I'm so glad it hadn't rain today or the river would've been even higher and faster current!

We've received more trail magic:
Bill, the ice cream man-met us on the trail and we followed him to his house (NH). We ate our lunch on his porch out of the sun. He gave us ice cream for dessert and got water from him. Also used his bathroom and he took our trash so we didn't have to carry it!
The cookie lady gives hikers water and cookies!
Other thru-hikers: Grey Ghost is a NoBo hiking with his grandson who just joined him. He bought us some ice cream and gave us brownies.
Allgood knew we were a little short on our supplies and he said he had too much so gave us some crackers, raisins and candy bars!
Dan was the recipient of a pair of Asolo boots! They were used but still in good condition. Dan's boots were starting to come apart and he was trying to decide what to do about it. On one of the fire towers that we went up there were these pair of boots! Just the right size and broken in just for him! He's been enjoying these boots! Hikers will leave things they don't want to use or carry any more for other hikers! It's amazing what you find sometimes! Dan lucked out at just the right time!


Dan by an AT symbol in Maine!

Anyone know what this is? They look good but figured I'd better not eat anything I don't know for sure what it is! And I haven't come across too many berries, yet. A small bit of ripe wide raspberries and some wild blueberries but not much to really get my fill, yet! Hoping we'll find more!

A couple pictures coming into Maine! A neat looking cliff with trees growing out the side! A sample of some of the big boulder climbs we've encountered!

Lilly pads with flowers-really pretty!

At top of Mt. Washington with presidential mountain range in background. A view looking back at Mt. Washington as the cog trains were going by.

Dan has called the trail a car wash at times after the rains. As we hike through some the narrow trails with overgrown bush and tree branches, we get thoroughly drenched!

Does anyone know the differences between a toad and a frog? And the differences between salamanders, newts, and geckos?

Next stop:
Dan & Debbie McMonigle
c/o General Delivery
Stratton, ME 04982
Please hold for AT thru-hiker!
Est. date of arrival-July 31