Joe’s hot cup and 6 miles to the inn
We sleep in! Until 5:30 at least. We threw ourselves, trying to squeeze the last rest bits until just before 6. Nick felt inspired to heat a little water this morning to have coffee. Normally, we place our instantaneous coffees directly in cold water for a less impressive joe cup.
There was not enough hot water to add to our oats, but honestly it is not so bad. They rehydrate well. Today we have less than 6 miles to the city and a short walk to the Sterling Inn for our refueling and hopefully lunch.
The walk was beautiful and my knee felt, well, I didn’t feel at all! Miracles happen, friends. The 6 miles approached and arrived at the crossroads of the road. I tried to call Sterling Inn, but we discovered that they were cutting the grass. Okay, just a mile and a half to the inn.
Each welcome flag was flown on the porch and we ascended the steps to find the owner who is still cut. We begin to download, take away wet shoes and socks, and demand things to dry. Nick went to get the attention of this man and came to help us.
Sterling Inn is a hiker shelter
Sterling Inn is like a hostel but for adults. It is a inn. It is a bed and breakfast. It’s amazing. The season has not yet begun them, so we were the only people there.
They offer free ferry, showers, laundry and wifi to hikers. They also have a very pleasant refueling food area.
He made us configure with laundry and showers and told us to go back when we were ready for the rest.
This place was a beautiful maze. It took us almost ten minutes to find the laundry area. We tried many doors and walked through all the wings. We change our dirty clothes for loan clothes, the large cotton shirt of a stranger is very comforting. We went to shower!
We had our choice of shampoos, conditioners, bodily washes and even face washed.
After cleaning, we started our refueling and obtained enough food until Carabassett, three or four days from here. They also offer frozen pizzas, hot pockets and Ben & Jerry, so we have some pockets of ham and cheese and everything except … ice cream.
We had our snack on the porch while our clothes ended up drying. It wasn’t long after lunchtime, so I called my dad to register.
Once we were ready to go, our host loaded us in his truck to continue our trip. Along the way, the Sterling Inn man told us how they are selling their businesses. He bought the place 13 years ago as a retirement plan, but ended up working more now than in his years of work. They are under contract, and the intention is to sell the business to continue working in the same way that is now. Since they attend to more than hikers, their chances of staying open are much higher.
North Outdoor Din and beers
The truck left us in Northern Outdoors, a rafting guide company that moonlights such as a pub and brewery. They have hydromassage bathtubs, swimming pools and patio games for their enjoyment. Even showers.
We had a very delicious early dinner and a couple of beers. In the middle of our food, a treasure of 100 high school students concluded their rafting trip and they almost knocked us down. He reminded us of our time working in outdoor education. Children are all the same, and very funny.
Our Northern Outdoor Server offered a camping place in its patio near Ferry Kennebec. So beautiful friends. We started walking back to the path and we had a wonderful road excursion. We find the Kennebec River and where we will be transporting and organize the camp in a nearby place in the courtyard of our server.
Confluence coffee opened recently. It is a food truck that opens at 7 am. We plan to have breakfast there tomorrow.
We packed a couple of beers from the brewery and enjoy them from the river while looking at a small fishing boat traveling the river.
