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