Apparently it was cold tonight, but I didn’t really notice it. Tags and Ferdinand gave me oatmeal and some bars to eat, which was very delicious!
We had some great views today! My dad told me that even despite all the difficulties and struggles of the AT, opinions like these make it all worth it. Which is great and I’m glad you’re enjoying it so much! I just didn’t know if I still felt the same…
Best view in 100 miles.
Until we hit the 100 mile mark. This marker is right on top of Albert Mountain with a lookout tower. It is a very steep climb, but fun.
But the views…oh God, the views…were so beautiful it almost hurt. My dad is right. This makes it all worth it.
Fernando and me
After spending some quality time at the top of Albert Mountain, we continued walking. We were looking for water and found some in the Long Branch shelter. I had lunch there too.
We’re not really the “burning brown” type (walking from one toilet to another). But man, the toilet in this shelter was the bomb! Completely clean and new toilet seat. It’s the simple things that make you happy here.
Getting hooked on Franklin
Our goal for today is to hike to Winding Stair Gap and hitchhike/shuttle to Franklin. But four miles earlier, at Rock Gap, we already got our first magical trail.
A guy pulled his big red pickup truck to the side of the road while we were walking. “Do you want to hear an AT joke?” “Sure!” I said. «What do you call a hiker who ends up at Baxter State Park because Mount Katahdin is closed for the winter?»
Followed by «What is the difference between a northbound fire and a southbound fire?» (Answers at the end of this post)
We laugh and talk a little, but we still have a few miles to go and we don’t want to hitchhike in the dark. So I have to go! But that’s when he asked us where we were headed. When we told Franklin, he told us to meet him at Winding Stair Gap in two hours. He will take us there!
Six kilometers in two hours with a steep climb and descent? Challenge accepted! And two hours later, we are already there. And like clockwork; We see the big red truck coming down the hill. It’s him! He introduced himself as Jimmy Dean.
He’s going to the Lazy Hiker Brewery to meet some friends and was kind enough to drop us off at The Grove Hostel. When we offered him some money for gas, he quickly refused. “It’s trail magic!” he said. Thanks Jimmy! You are the best, a true trail angel.
The usual things in the city
We took a shower and walked around town to eat a good burger and a beer. After a week like this, we felt like we deserved it.
After this we returned to the hostel. Ferdinand and Tags were also here. When I told them about our good friend Jimmy Dean, Ferdinand laughed, opened the freezer, pointed to a frozen breakfast and said, “There’s Jimmy Dean!” Apparently that’s the name of a frozen breakfast brand. Well played Jimmy… well played…
Ferds and the other guys even met Jimmy at the brewery! Apparently he told them exactly the same jokes. Small world.
Well, to bed. Oh, and before I forget, here are Jimmy’s joke cues:
«What do you call a hiker who ends up at Baxter State Park because Mount Katahdin is closed for the winter?» – a section hiker
«What is the difference between a fire heading north and south?» – the fire heading south is backwards.
Some real niche trail humor, enjoy!
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