2002 MAINE APPALACHIAN TRAIL
BACKPACK MONSON TO RANGELEY

On September 3 Barry Nelson and Dan McQueen drove 635 miles to Rangeley, Maine and then shuttled to Monson. We started backpacking the next day for 9 days covering 103 trail miles on the Appalachian Trail. We covered some of the toughest hiking in Maine. It was hot in the 90s for 2-3 days and then we got caught in a chilling rain with temperatures plummeting to 45^o. The next day we traversed 3 miles of exposed ridge line in 40-50 mph winds over The Horn and Saddleback Mountain with spectacular vistas in every direction. It was very dry with many springs and streams dried up and lakes very low. Despite the unexpected difficulties and hard work, it was a very good hike.

September 3, 2002 Tuesday Drive Columbia, MD to Rangeley, ME

Barry Nelson stopped in his 1998 Chevrolet van and we quickly loaded my bike, bike bag and heavy backpack. At 3:50 a.m. we headed northeast basically following I-95 into Maine. We paid tolls of $4 in Maryland, $2 in Delaware, $5.50 on the New Jersey Turnpike, $6 for the George Washington Bridge, $1 on the New York Thruway, $.50 on the Massachusetts Turnpike, $1 in New Hampshire and $2.50 on the Maine Turnpike a total of $28. We gassed the thirsty van in Connecticut for $28.50.

We both brought fruit and cookies and Barry brought some bagels with cream cheese which we ate for snacks and lunch.

We encountered no major delays so we arrived at the intersection of ME-4 and the Appalachian Trail (AT) 9 miles east of Rangeley, Maine about 2:40 after 634.9 miles. We talked to other hikers until Keith Shaw arrived in his Chevrolet pickup truck at 3:35. We loaded our backpacks and piled in Keith's truck for the 116 mile ride to Monson. We stopped for supper in route at the Moose Alley Inn in Bingham. I had chicken quesadillas and a draft Sam Adams ale for $11 including tip.

We arrived in Monson at 6:45 and checked into Shaw's Boarding House room #5 for $37.50 cash divided between us. We also paid $5 each for tomorrow mornings breakfast. We settled with Keith who charged us $1.25 per mile or $145 and we each gave him $80.

After a nice shower we crashed about 9:00 p.m. It stays light about 45 minutes longer than in Columbia, because we are so far much further east. It didn't get dark until between 7:30 an 8:00.

September 4, 2002 Wednesday Backpack Monson to Bald Mountain Pond Outlet, ME

It began to get light at 5:30 so we got up at 5:42. We got dressed, put on our hiking boots and finalized packing our backpacks. We walked across the street to the Shaw's house and the kitchen where 6 or 8 AT through hikers were already eating breakfast. Keith Shaw Senior offered us 2s around, 3s around or 4s around. I opted for the 2s around and was served 2 eggs, 2 sausage, 2 bacon strips, 2 pieces of ham, potatoes, and 2 French toast. I struggled to finish my serving with the milk and orange juice I drank. We were quickly engaged in the many conversations about the trail.

We slowly broke up and Barry and I piled into the back of Keith Junior's pickup with 3 through hikers. There was a slight drizzle and fog as we drove north on ME-6 four miles to the trail head and I was a bit cool in my T-shirt. The through hikers got out and Keith returned to Monson and then out the dirt road to the trail head Jack Bateman and I came in on last year.

Keith dropped us off at 7:27 and we hiked about ¼ mile to the AT. The trail is not difficult here but in the light rain the masses of roots and rocks were treacherous. These conditions prevailed for 6 miles to the Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to. There were thousands of frogs and toads of every size and description. We passed many through hikers headed north nearing their Mt. Katahdin destination. Included were a young oriental woman, a young couple and a young bearded man.

We stopped for a snack of peanut butter cheese crackers about 10:00 which was frequently subsidized by handfuls of trail mix as we hiked. We stopped for about 25 minutes at 12:05 for lunch of peanut butter cheese crackers and a granola bar. This would be our pattern for all 9 days of hiking and I ate the same thing each day. It is 69^o.

We lost the trail in the head high grass crossing the west branch of the Piscataquis River. We had to backtrack to pick up the trail and this time we chose the right path out. We soon ran into Free Spirit and Sunshine and chatted a bit with them. Although we can see moose and deer tracks, Barry and I are amazed at the lack of life including even small ground mammals and birds. The sun finally came out at 2:30.

We stop at 2:40 having hiked 12.0 miles. I forgot to turn on my altimeter until late but it shows we climbed 1350' and descended 1080' in one climb. Our average speed was 1.66 miles per hour including all stops. We are at 1350' with the barometer at 28.60".

We are camped next to the Bald Mountain Pond outlet stream. I set up my small and light Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight backpacking tent then washed my body and clothes in the cold running stream. I boiled water in my 2 quart stainless steel pan on my antique MSR whisper lite stove. It is important to hydrate so I drink 16 ounces of cream chicken soup, 16 oz. hot chocolate, 16 oz. tea and 16 oz. of chicken bouillon.

About 5:00 I cook pasta and rice adding 6 oz. clams which I eat with coconut cream pudding and 16 oz. tea. It is getting gray at 7:00 so I get into my tent and discover my Princeton halogen head lamp doesn't work due to a leaking battery eating the battery case. I am surprised as I used it two weeks before biking Prague to Budapest. I now have 9 days on the trail without a light so I have to finish early each day.

September 5, 2002 Thursday Backpack Bald Mountain Pond Outlet to Pleasant Pond Lean-to, ME

We get up at 5:45 in the gray morning as it doesn't get light until about 6:00. It is warm at 60^o. I boil water and eat 2 peach oat meals for breakfast as I pack up and take down my tent.

We start off at 7:02 under sunny skies which soon clouds over and the temperature falls to 58^o. We soon start passing the endless parade of through hikers heading north for Mt. Katahdin. We pass 2 young men coming from Virginia and an older couple. We pass Moxie Bald Lean-to 1220' after a couple of miles then climb over Moxie Bald Mountain at 2629'. I turned on my altimeter on the descent so we have another day of incomplete data. We descend 2 miles past Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to 1300' and continue down to the south end of Moxie Pond at 970'. I eat my peanut butter cheese crackers and granola bar and it is 12:36. We decide to go on to Pleasant Pond lean-to a distance of 6.2 miles.

We start climbing for 5 miles to Pleasant Pond Mountain at 2470'. The trail in Maine is very steep as switch backs are not used. It was difficult climbing as we were tired and getting used to our heavy packs, the trail was steep and overgrown in places and there were many tree falls where we had to scramble over, under and around them.

We got to Pleasant Pond Lean-to 1320' at 5:07 having hiked 16 miles. We ascended 2250' and descended 2430'. The barometer is at 28.45" and it is 58^o.

It is late and I am in a hurry to finish everything before dark. I set up the tent, boil water and drink a chicken soup and hot chocolate as I cook supper. Because it is late I decide to eat a freeze dried spaghetti meal with butterscotch pudding. This saves time and cleanup. Fortunately I didn't sweat too much today as there is no time for a wash-up today. I manage to finish everything and slip into my tent at 7:15 in the nick of time as it turned pitch black by 7:30. The new moon is in two days.

September 6, 2002 Friday Backpack Pleasant Pond Lean-to to Pierce Pond Lean-to, ME

Got up at 5:48, packed up and took down my tent. Ate 2 strawberry oat meals and a 16 oz. cup of tea for breakfast. It is sunny and 48^o.

We started at 7:24 on an easy trail downhill and mostly along Holly Brook. After about 2 hours we started seeing the stream of through hikers headed north. We reached US-201 at Caratunk, Maine in 5.7 miles and continued ¼ mile to the Kennebec River ferry at 490' at 10:20.

We were greeted by Steve Longley with a hearty hail, big smile and firm handshake. Steve had just ferried a family of six. He took my pack and put it in the stern then with Barry paddling in the bow we crossed in the red Old Town canoe. Steve returned with the waiting Caveman as Barry and I took a break eating peanut butter cheese crackers. A young man emerged from the woods so Steve came back across to pick him up. He was waiting for a young women so the four of us chatted for several minutes. The woman emerged at exactly 11:00 so they departed across the river as Barry and I continued south on the AT.

We hiked the 3.7 miles from the river to Pierce Pond Lean-to 1160' stopping briefly for lunch. We arrived at 1:45 in 70^o with the barometer at 28.80" and camped 100 yards from the lean-to along the shore in the woods. It is beautiful and quiet except for the gently lapping waves, sighing wind and the occasional call of a loon. Fortunately we are the only people here this day.

We hiked 9.7 miles ascending 1150' and descending 790' with one climb. I turned my altimeter on long after I started to hike so the numbers are incomplete.

Set up my tent, boiled water and hydrated with chicken soup, chicken bouillon and hot chocolate. Washed my body and clothes in the cool lake sparingly using environment safe liquid soap. My shirt, shorts, hiking shorts and socks dried in an hour or so in the constant gentle breeze. I cooked some pasta adding some liquid butter for the fat and calories and a 6 oz. can of chicken and finished with a cup of coconut cream pudding. I calculated that I burn 6597 calories backpacking 15 miles. This does not include the calories I burn the other 15 hours a day eating, sleeping and walking around. It is hard to eat that many calories each day so I loose weight during my backpacking probably ½ pound or more per day.

Because my head lamp is not working I settled in my tent about 7:00 enjoying the night sounds in the cool night air lying on the soft earth of the woods as I drifted off to sleep. Three or four times I awoke to roll over and listen to the calls of many owls spread across the lake and around the woods. It is pitch black as the new moon is tomorrow afternoon.

September 7, 2002 Saturday Backpack Pierce Pond Lean-to to West Carry Pond Lean-to, ME

Got up at 5:40 to 62^o and a high light overcast sky. Packed up, struck my tent and boiled water for two blueberry oat meals and two 16 oz. teas.

We started up the trail at 7:02 and within 20 minutes encountered a cow moose standing in the trail. She moved a little ways into the woods so we passed and continued on for 3.5 miles to the North Branch of Carrying Place Stream. The trail was good, the terrain fairly flat as we crossed a logging road and continued on to the north end of East Carry Pond in another 2.4 miles. I snacked on peanut butter cheese crackers.

We hiked 1.5 miles to cross Sandy stream where it flows into Middle Carry Pond then passed the east side of West Carry Pond 1.9 miles later. We stopped at the West Carry Pond Lean-to 1340' for peanut butter crackers and a granola bar for lunch.

We continued on to the west side of West Carry Pond and beyond but determined there was no place to camp so we returned to the lean-to at 1:24. We hiked a total of 11.8 miles (10 trail miles) ascending 520' and descending 390' in 1 climb. I turned the altimeter on late so again the numbers are not complete.

I bathed and washed my clothes in the pond. It is 73^o with the barometer at 28.75" and sunny since 11:30 but it clouded over again at 3:45 as I was bathing. Two couples with 3 dogs out for the weekend arrived from opposite directions. Later about 3 through hikers arrived for the night.

I cooked rice and pasta adding butter and a can of tuna with 16 oz. tea for supper. The dogs were good and everything quieted down at dark at 7:30 so all we heard were the owls and loons. We are clean and well rested but we're not getting very far down the trail considering how easy the terrain and trail are.

September 8, 2002 Sunday Backpack West Carry Pond Lean-to to Safford Notch Camp, ME

We're up at 5:45 to sunny skies and a warm 65^o. I boil water for two strawberry oat meals and a 16 oz tea as I pack up and take down my tent.

We set off at 7:00 retracing yesterdays steps. We cross over Roundtop Mountain 1760' then Long Falls Dam Road 1225' and Bog Brook Road near the Flagstaff Lake outlet. We can see cabins and boats docked on the lake. We stop for a snack.

We start seeing through hikers who tell us about trail magic ahead. We come to East Flagstaff Road and there is a welcoming sign for hikers. We stop, take off our packs and are greeted by a crowd of people including Peter, Ray Rowan and Jenny. They are members of the Maine Appalachian Trail Club and do this the weekend after Labor Day each year. Ray started it years ago and it has grown over the years. I had a great cheeseburger, pasta salad, Yuengling Lager and 2 fruit drinks.

After an hour two lazy and contented hikers left headed south passing Little Bigelow Lean-to 1760'. We encountered many day hikers as we climbed to the summit of Little Bigelow Mountain 3010'. The summit is exposed rock with great 360^o views except for the intimidating Bigelow Mountain blocking tomorrow's path. We descended steeply into Safford Notch before turning left on a blue blaze trail for .3 mile through a narrow mini canyon and under a huge rock.

We arrived at Safford Notch Campsite 2230' at 3:08 in 75^o and set up camp on a wooden platform. We hiked 12.2 miles ascending 2900' and descending 2580' in 3 climbs.

We found a good spring with plenty of cold running water about 75 yards from our tents in a deep steep depression. I boiled 3 liters of water and drank it mixed with chicken soup, bouillon, hot chocolate and tea. I cooked pasta and rice adding a can of ham for supper. I washed up using my water bag hanging on a tree. We are in a wooded notch between two steep sided mountains so it got really dark fast.

September 9, 2002 Monday Backpack Safford Notch Camp to ME-27

Got up at 5:45 boiled water for 2 strawberry oat meals and tea, packed up and took down my tent. It is sunny and warm at 68^o.

At 7:08 we started back the .3 miles to the AT turning left starting the 2 mile climb to Bigelow Mountain's Avery Peak. The trail is very steep immediately. We frequently are using hands and feet pulling up over large rock faces often entangled in tree roots. There isn't much air on the lower portion so it is hot and hard work carrying 50 pound packs with sweat literally running off us. We climb at a steady pace without stopping and are rewarded with a cooling breeze which turned into a wind at the higher levels of the mountain. We emerge from the trees into a blustery wind about 40 miles per hour. The panoramic views keep improving as we ascend to the rocky Avery Peak 4090' with a hut near the top. We can see the bare Sugarbush ski runs to the south and east and a series of lakes and mountains to the north and west. The mountains and ridges we are hiking arc around Sugarbush for 30-40 miles so we will see it for several days.

We descend steeply down a continuos boulder slide to Bigelow Col passing some hikers including two British. We find some protection from the wind in the trees and stop at the vacated ranger station for a snack of peanut butter cheese crackers. A short distance further we pass through the Avery Memorial Camp. Through hikers headed north told us there were three sources of water here but all are now dry. We are climbing again and soon reach the exposed and windy Bigelow Mountain West Peak 4145'.

We start a 7.8 miles descent with a few small climbs briefly interrupting it. We pass South Horn in 2 miles and continue to Horns Pond Lean-to 3160' where we stop about noon for peanut butter cheese crackers and granola bar for lunch. When we start to leave Barry discovered that his hip belt is broken and the pack is supported only on one side. He lashed the hip belt and pack frame together with electrical straps we both are carrying but they do not work well. We decide to go about 4.5 miles into the town of Stratton to try to get the hip belt repaired. It is not possible to hike any distance with his pack the way it is.

After a brief climb we continue down 1.9 miles to Bigelow Range Trail. We continue on down past Cranberry Stream Camp 1350', Stratton Brook 1230' and Stratton Brook Pond Road to ME-27 at 3:38.

We hiked 10.8 miles ascending 3390' and descending 4080' in 4 climbs.

We hitchhike and are picked up by Guy from Stratton. Guy retired 12 years ago after 24 years in the Marines serving 2 times in Viet Nam earning 2 Purple Hearts and taking Navy Seal training. He through hiked the AT while a Marine. Guy dropped us at the White Wolf Inn in Stratton at 1260' and the barometer at 28.65".

We drank a Sam Adams Summer Ale and talked to several through hikers. There didn't seem to be any options for repairing or replacing Barry's hip belt so a through hiker offered to sew it which he did with dental floss. The inn was full so while they worked on the hip belt I walked to the Stratton Motel and got room #2 for $48.50.

After cleaning up Barry and I returned to the White Wolf Inn for supper. I had a salad bar, large haddock steak, baked potato, broccoli, carrots and cauliflower, strawberry shortcake and a Sam Adams Summer Ale for $27.63 including tip.

We stopped in a store and bought stuff for breakfast. In the motel the bed was comfortable and the room cool and quiet but neither of us slept well. I was cranked up for the hike and couldn't relax my leg muscles or turn off my racing mind.

September 10, 2002 Tuesday Backpack ME-27 to Spaulding Mountain Lean-to

Got up at 5:40 and packed up. Ate my blueberry muffin and drank 16 oz. orange juice plus 16 oz. milk.

We were in front of the store by 6:40 with our packs ready to go. It took some time but we finally got a ride in a pickup along with a through hiker going north. It is sunny and a hot 68^o.

We start the 5.2 mile climb up North Crocker Mountain 4228' at 7:02. We summit it without too much difficulty and then South Crocker Mountain 4040' a mile later. The descent is quite steep for a long ways and a hot 93^o. We stop at the Crocker Cirque Camp Side Trail 2710' for lunch. There is a shaded running stream with cold water. I fill my water bottles and wet my face and hair to remove dust and sweat and cool down.

Another mile down we cross the Caribou Valley Road 2220' and then the South Branch Carrabassett River on rocks where normally it is a ford. We start ascending up very steeply past Sugarloaf Mountain Trail after 2.2 miles and then gradually another 2.1 miles to Spaulding Mountain 4000'. This seemed to be the toughest climb of the hike. It may be because we are tired, the heat or the 4.5 mile length of the climb. We needed a break before descending .8 miles to Spaulding Mountain Lean-to 3140' at 5:22.

We hike 13.5 miles ascending 5430' and descending 3730' in 4 climbs. This is the only day my numbers are complete as I remembered to turn on the altimeter at the start and turn it off when we finished.

Because we are late getting in I boil water for a freeze dried chili mac dinner and herb tea after rehydrating with chicken soup and bouillon, hot chocolate and tea. I washed up using my water bag hanging on a tree.

Barry picked up a heavy clunky light in town in the lost and found so I don't have to hurry to bed. I go in my tent at 7:30 dark time to make my bed, read my Bible and write my daily log. What a luxury!

September 11, 2002 Wednesday Backpack Spaulding Mountain Lean-to to Poplar Ridge Lean-to

Got up at 5:30 to a sunny and warm 64^o morning. Boiled water for a strawberry and a peach oatmeal, hot chocolate and herb tea. Packed up and took down my tent.

It is amazing how consistent we are as we started hiking at 7:02. We descended slightly and then ascended slightly over 2.2 miles as we topped Lone Mountain 3260'. Then it was descending over many small streams for 3.1 miles to Orbiton Stream 1550' again a ford that turned out to be a walk across some rocks. We passed a large group of 10-12 through hikers all young.

We stopped for a snack. We heard from the through hikers that the stream at Poplar Ridge Lean-to was dry so I filled my water bag with 2 gallons of water weighing about 16 pounds and squeezed it into my pack. I also wet my face and hair. I struggled to lift my pack and strap it on. I struggled up the steep 50' stream bank as it started raining lightly at 11:30. During the 2.7 mile climb to the lean-to I adjusted my gait to account for the heavy water so high in my pack so that it was almost normal by the time I arrived. The rain kept increasing in intensity as we climbed so that we began to have water on the trail soaking our boots. The temperature dropped steadily and the wind increased. I hiked in my T-shirt and was wet.

We arrived at the Poplar Ridge Lean-to 2960' at 12:58 in a windy 50^o and steady rain. We hiked 8.0 miles ascending 1910' and descending 2000' in 1 climb.

The lean-to was full of hikers escaping the cold rain including Gray Jay, her hiking partner from Delaware and a young New Hampshire couple. I put on my rain jacket to retain some heat and block the wind. I got under the lean-to overhang and boiled water for hot chocolate, chicken bouillon and soup and tea skipping lunch. I was beginning to sporadically shake from the cold and the wet clothes. Amazingly a young women came in wearing a tank top and shorts who had come over Saddleback Mountain which is exposed peaks and ridge line for about 3 miles in high winds, rain and hail. She paused a few minutes and continued on.

During a brief lull in the rain I set up my tent then got inside and changed to dry clothes with long pants and put on my fleece jacket under the raincoat. Quite comfortable I noticed the gurgling sound of the now running stream a few feet from my tent. I remained in my tent all afternoon as it continued to rain and blow. Dozens of through hikers drifted in from over Saddleback Mountain and set up tents creating a miniature tent city.

About 5:00 I ventured out briefly to light my stove and boil water before retreating to my tent. I went out again to retrieve the hot water to prepare freeze dried beef noodle stroganoff, two 16 oz. hot chocolates, two 16 oz. chicken bouillons and two 16 oz. herb teas in my tent.

I did my reading and writing during the afternoon so I crawled into my sleeping bag at 7:00 dark time and the temperature at 45⁰. Warm and dry I drifted off to sleep noting that it was still raining and blowing as I rolled over 3 or 4 times during the night. I must have punched a hole in the air mattress as the ground seemed hard for the first time when I rolled over at night.

September 12, 2002 Thursday Backpack Poplar Ridge Lean-to to ME-4 near Rangeley, ME

I heard Barry's steam engine sounding stove chugging as I awoke with a start at 5:59. It is cloudy so still somewhat dark, a cold 45^o and windy. I hustle to boil water for two peach oat meals and 16 oz. chicken bouillon as I pack up and take down my tent.

We finally get started at 7:20 thankful that it is not raining. I'm wearing long pants (zip off legs), a T-shirt and my raincoat to block the wind. We know we will be exposed for several miles on the peaks and high ridge line. We climb and then dip crossing a stream at 1 mile then up sharply for .4 miles to Saddleback Junior 3655'. It is bare and very windy. I put my hood up to block the wind as I got a headache from the cold like you get from eating ice cream too fast. We quickly drop down into the sheltering trees so I can remove the hood.

Before long we are climbing again to the summit of The Horn 4040' at 3.4 miles from the lean-to. Long before we reach the summit we are above tree line on table rock struggling with 50-60 mile per hour winds. It is hard to walk and stay on the trail as the wind is whipping across us from the northwest on our right. From the summit we can see Saddle Mountain 1.6 miles away linked by a bowed ridge line of flat table rock. It looks like a wide path from summit to summit. The vistas are beautiful in every direction. With our hoods up we slowly adjust to the wind and descend down the smooth rock into the dip between mountains. At one point we descend a 20' steel latter where the rock is fissured.

Again we are climbing in the incessant wind but it seems easy like walking uphill on a sidewalk except for the occasional scramble up over large cracks. We soon summit Saddleback Mountain 4120' and spend some time taking in the scene and snapping pictures. We are now accustomed to the cold and wind. We are enjoying ourselves and the spectacular stark beauty so we are reluctant to get off the mountain.

We start descending on the table rock and pass many through hikers just beginning to make their way to the summit. After about 3 miles of exposure we reach the sheltering trees and descend towards two beautiful ponds visible below us. We reach Eddy Pond about noon and 7 miles from our morning lean-to. We stop for lunch and sit on the lakeside rocks in the relative calm to eat.

We continue drifting down on easy trail for 3.7 miles past Piazza Rock Lean-to 2065', across the Sandy River 1595' to ME-4 and Barry's waiting Chevy van at 2:38 in 59^o. Today we hiked 10.7 miles ascending 2330' and descending 3990' in 3 climbs. The numbers are incomplete as the altimeter was turned on late.

The 9 mile drive into Rangeley, Maine felt good being off my feet sitting in a captains chair. We checked into the Town and Lake Motel room 5 for $80.36. We went to the Pub and Grub for two celebratory 24 oz. Carrabassett Ales which I bought for $12.50 including tip. We returned to the motel and spread out our tents to dry on the bank next to the lake behind our room. It is breezy and sunny so they dry fast. We don't want our filthy and wet clothes to stay in our backpacks for another week as we bike in Ontario so we go to the laundry to wash $2, soap $.50 and dry $.75 them.

At 6:00 we headed for the Parkside and Main restaurant for a Carrabassett Ale, salad, clam chowder, fish and chips, blueberry pie ala mode and two 16 oz. ice teas for $33.77.

The bed is luxurious and again we can hear the loons and sighing wind on the lake.

September 13, 2002 Friday Drive to Brighton, Ontario, Canada

We slept in until 6:30 because there is no hurry today. We packed the van and drove to The People's Choice restaurant in Rangeley, Maine for blueberry pancakes, sausage, orange juice and two glasses of milk at $10.50.

We left the restaurant at 7:28 headed west on ME-16 to NH-26 to US-3 to VT-105 to Derby, Vermont. We stopped for gas costing $1.43 per gallon before crossing into Canada. It was raining lightly. We got on I-91 briefly crossing into Canada on A-55 to A-10 to A-20 in Montreal. We stopped at a McDonalds in St Zotique, Quebec. I withdrew C$100 from the ATM in McDonalds and loaned C$20 to Barry whose card wouldn't work. I had two chicken burritos, French fries and a root beer for C$6.39.

We continued on to Brighton, Ontario arriving at 3:30 475 miles from Rangeley. We checked into the Presquile Beach Motel room 23 for C$81.76. We met Dave Burt from North Bay, Ontario staying in the motel and his daughter who dropped him off.

We went to town center with Dave to scout out tomorrow's meeting place, a restaurant for supper and an ATM for Barry. We met Ginny Springman from Williamsport, PA on the street and then Bucky and Barbara Buchleitner pulled up with Marcie Smith.

We tended to business and then Barry, Dave and I went to the Wine Cafe Louisa for a 16 oz. Steam Whistle, sweet potato soup, salad, lamb chops, baked potato, broccoli, cauliflower, raspberry crepe and ice tea for C$43.68. Everything was very good.