Monday 24 August 2009

Stratton

Hi again.

We're in Stratton right now, its Nicole's Birthday, so we're on a zero day to enjoy. We did get some miles under our belt yesterday, so we came out of Stratton, hiked around it, and came back to town. No-one deserves to be in the woods on their birthday, especially when its raining.

We're in town with Houdini, one of out trail buddies, who thought it would be rude not to join us! And she had to make a phone call also.

We met Houdini in the 100 mile wilderness, with Floyd, a University lecturer from Arizona. Floyd finished at Katahdin, drove Houdini back to Caratunk for her to start her last 1000 odd miles South (Flip-flopping = hiking the trail in sections, not necessarily all at the one time in the one direction), walked into a restaurant and spotted us having dinner. So now we're kinda hiking South at a similar rate to Houdini.

Wildlife update; We saw a Moose's arse yesterday, as it fled the trail. Nicole described it as 'really big' (the Moose in general, not just its arse).
Been spotting a few Hummingbirds in the woods, they think colourful T-shirts are flowers, until they get up close and smell the sweat!

Strange foods update; Moxie - a non-alcoholic drink that tastes like TCP, god knows why they drink it here, but it is unique to Maine. I'm beginning to think Maine is a bit 'different' to the rest of the USA. We shall see.

We met our first Native American yesterday (not Red Indian), who was a very nice lady who told us everything you need to know about Moose hunting. Native Americans get a licence to shoot one Moose a year, and they have 'Moose Butchers' ( i just made that up, can't remember real term she used) who prepare Moose steaks, or burgers for you. Depending on the status of Moose in a given year, the tribal elders dictate what you can shoot, males, females, or Moose of a certain age/size.

Met a really nice guy called John Kelly, who told me about his backpacking/cycling travels through Northern Ireland and Donegal in 1972. Was interesting to listen to his experiences in a time that not many tourists came to NI.

Been playing the flute a bit, getting more used to the fingering without keys. Met a Southerner called Dave, from Texas, who sang 'Dixie' for me so i can could get the tune, He told me to be careful about which states i play the tune in. I think i'll wait until Georgia, just to make sure i am as far South as possible before getting lynched! Yankee doodle is safe up North and seems to be more accepted.

The towns are not what i expected. They're all spread out, detached. So the Main Street is often about 3 miles long, even though the town might only have 500 residents. Very patriotic here, there is an American Flag on almost every Porch, and on every other lamp-post.

That's all for now, i'm in the local Library on a time limit, off to Rangeley next, and hope i can scrounge internet access again to keep you posted.

G

Monday 17 August 2009

Caratunk

Hi!

More free internet in the 'Northern Outdoors retreat, outside Caratunk! Its got a Micro-Brewery, i'm drinking Blueberry Ale and one pint is going to me head.

Its Boiling, i mean, this is the hottest i have ever felt, and we're walking in it. Thank god Maine is nothing but bloody trees that's all i can say. We only get outta the tree line on the tops, just above 2500 ft. Think i forgot to mention in previous blogs the sheer amount of frogs here. All shapes and sizes, some as tiny as your finger nail, and very colourful too. Seen some NON-POISONOUS snakes along the way too.

Been doing lots of bathing at the end of our walks in the lakes here, or ponds as they call them here. Everything's on a different scale, mostly bigger.

Had our first encounter with Leeches yesterday, none of them attached but they took a great interest in us. They're very mobile and fast swimmers, but you usually find them in the more stagnant waters, after you've kicked up the mud.

Red Squirrels everywhere, and they're noisy too!

But the best wldlife so far has to be the Loon. Its a waterbird that calls early in the morning and late at night, and its really eerie.

Gotta go, someone needs the net!
G

Thursday 13 August 2009

Monson

Howdy y'all!

We're in Monson Maine, pretty badly bitten by mosquitoes, but having an absolute ball!

It's hot and humid at times, but never cold, happy days!

We have met so many nice, friendly people in the 1.5 weeks we've been here, its unbelievable!

We may not get the chance to access the internet very often, so this might be it for a while.

We're walking 4 days to Caratunk next, then 3 to Stratton, then onto Rangeley which is only about 20 miles from the Canadian Border.

No Moose yet, plenty of chipmunks and red squirrel, some deer, and a pile of Bear Poo! But the bears run away from humans on the East coast so nothing to worry about. Lots of new bird sightings to tick off also.

I spent this afternoon (G) playing my flute in the local general store with the owner (Tim), while he played his guitar, and his friend Colleen sang. They're into traditional Irish Folk music. Then we drank homemade wine.

Took a Kayak into the middle of a huge lake a few days ago (White House Landing) to search for Moose and Bald Eagle. No Moose yet, but we're getting closer. We heard the Eagles in their nest. Can't be sure i saw one, but did see a large bird of prey.

The people walking the trail are very supportive, and the people living here bend over backwards to help the hikers out. I'm off to pack for tomorrow, will hopefully get to a local library or something and update the blog further.

See ya!

G

Monday 3 August 2009

JFK NYC

Mental day. Flight cancelled to Bangor Maine. Stuck at JFK for the night due to bad weather, but have just eaten my first 'all you can eat! Flying tomorrow at 9 instead.

out.

G