Maine trip

“Just to let you know, we had very light snow Friday night at about 3,000 feet SW of where you’ll be.

The photo below will give you some idea of where the leaf color is.

http://www.webspawner.com/users/maineleaves/leaves.jpg" alt="">

The only place I have ever seen a trail sign welcoming me to a state was on the Maine border. It said:
WELCOME TO MAINE
THE WAY LIFE SHOULD BE

Have fun everybody!”

“thanks Violin, now im feeling much better for not going after seeing that great photo.


pay back is a b!tch!”

“Well Violin, you sure know where to backpack. That picture is beautiful.”

“Have you guys decided on a Katahdin route yet, or are ya waiting until you get to BSP? Back when Fritz mentioned the AT, I meant to add that if you wanted to go up Helon Taylor or Dudley, across the Knife Edge and down the Hunt trail, I'd be happy to pick you guys up at Katahdin Stream campground. That would get the AT in without the extra early start.
Although it would be great to see your faces at Chimney Pond, I've done Katahdin twice this year, and I could do the Owl or something else instead.”

“I was looking at the map I have of Katahdin, and didn't really see a feasible way to do the AT to get to the top. Sounds like you know a way though, twigeater. However, it would be kind of nice to just leave from the one area up the road from Avalance (Russel Pond? I don't have my map here with me) and not have to worry about cars and such. Just a thought.”

“I don't know Twigeater, I don't feel real ambitious. I just want some great views. So I'll when I get there.”

“I don't have my heart set on it, so I wouldn't inconvenience anyone (much), but if we got dropped off at Katahdin Stream, we could go up the AT and down the Knife Edge.

But I am flexible. I will be thrilled no matter what we do, as ong as the trails aren't closed.”

“(Roaring Brook)

Whatever you guys want to do is fine with me, just thought I'd put the offer out there to think about.

HIKE MAINE!”

“I said Katahdin Stream but should have said, I don't have my map...but I thought it was Katahdin Stream. Twiggy, are you saying the AT climbs from Roaring Brook?”

“Fritz, the reason I suggested going the other way was to make sure you made the cut-off time.”

“Nope Fritz you are correct, I was replying to Artex and his (Russel Pond?) when I said Roaring Brook.”

“Yeah, Roaring Brook! That's what I meant (tee hee!).

Alrighty, I'm packed and ready to go. Wolfman's Brother is coming over to my place after work on Wednesday and then we'll be heading out. We're going to drive for a few hours Wednesday night, crash wherever (in the car at a reststop, campground.. whatever), wake up and drive the rest of the way Thursday. I anticipate we'll get there sometime in the afternoon. See y'all then!!!! :-)”

“I can't wait!!!

I just got a trip report from my friend who was "rescued." Turns out they were really slow hiking and simply should not have continued on once at Baxter Peak. Happens all the time. She said the Knife Edge was the scariest thing she had ever done and it took them 2 1/2 hours to get across.

They were helped down by members of a church group who were looking for others in their party. They got down around 9pm.

I'm planning on arriving around noon and doing some hiking. See you there!”

“I'll be there with bells on, or maybe just sweats.

;)”

“It's almost here! Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy, oh boy!!!!!

It's going to be really hard to get anything done at work today. Thankfully, I got it into high gear yesterday and got a lot done.

See you guys very soon!!! :-)”

“I'm planning to work until 2pm tomorrow, then drive up. But now I am thinking, maybe if I leave at 1:00 I can make it to the gate before they close it at 10:00. Problem is, I have to cancel my hotel by 4pm, and I won't know by then...

Either way....my co-workers are getting annoyed, I keep telling them how many hours until I leave.

28 hrs, 19 minutes, and I am OUTTA HERE!”

“see everyone tommorrow (hopefully fritz as well). Have a safe drive up. Artex tells me he's bringing a steak for HIMSELF to celebrate Fri. nite (that SOB).”

“LOL!!! If it weren't so darn expensive, I'd bring more! I still have plenty of ostrich jerky though, if there are any takers. :-)”

“Fritz I have a friend who grew up in Maine and still goes there every year, and she thinks that I don't have much of a chance of getting to Baxter in less than ten hours from my house. So if you leave at 1 and hit no traffic and drive VERY fast, you might have a chance of getting inside the gate.

:(”

“Consider it taken!”

“I have four or five packages of moose meat in my freezer I can bring for Friday. I'm not sure what exactly I have, and I don't know the best way to cook it, but if you guys will eat it, I'll bring it.”

“Ummmmm, none for me thanks twigeater. I haven't car camped in so long, I'm not sure what to do for meals. Just simple easy stuff I think. See you all there!”

“ok, moose meat stays in the freezer. Anybody still need a map?”

“Sure, I could use a nap.”

“I'd love to try moosemeat. How did you cook it before? I hear there is a moosemeat stew I was hoping to try while up there. How about moose sushi? I'll bring the soy sauce and wasabi.”

“crockpot. I'll make a small stew with moose meat and bring it.”

“Who are you calling a crockpot?

:-)”

“Twig and gang, I will be there in SPIRIT! It will be a great hike! Miss it, darn.”

“If the shoe fritz...

jerbear, I was hoping you'd come along and show the fellas how to cross the Wassataquiok jerbear style, lol !!!”

“jerbear style? Wassat?”

“double thumbs up on the stew!”

“dghdgh”

“with bared lips...”

“Bared teeth, I can picture.

Bared lips? I'm not gonna go there...”

“Make that quadruple thumbs up on the moose stew! I'd love to try some. I would have posted earlier but I've been in meeting hell at work all day.

Only a few hours until departure. Tic toc, tic toc, tic toc...”

“woohoo! I'm outta here - see you all when I see ya!

Safe journeys!”

“Hmmmmm!”

“C'mon up to Maine, jerbear! Meet me in NJ tomorrow and I'll drive you up!”

“Goin to Mich, damm.”

“Choices, choices. Have to pick and choose. I am sure you'll have a grand time in Michigan with the Michigeese and Michiganders!”

“will be fun! Although, the knife edge was a blast along with the helon gaylor trail. Hump!”

“Hike Maine

ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGG!

I have to work all weekend.

ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGG!



Have a good time, which I know you will.”

“Sorry Must Hike, I thought that you were going. Next year? Maybe this can be an annual trip?”

“I had considered going I still have 9 vacation days to burn before the end of the year, but then I realized that I had a conflict with some work that has to be performed this weekend.




Have fun Hiking Maine!”

“Thanks Must Hike, wish you could make it. Wolfman's Brother should be on his way over to my house as we speak and then the adventure begins!!!

Hike MAINE!!!!!!”

“Nanner, nanner, nanner, we hike Maine all the time.”

“You guys are leaving tonight? Damn, time flies. Again, wish I was going, have a blast, and when you get to Maine, don't forget to do some hiking.”

“That was my child....er...I mean my husband. He can't help himself....this is the soon to be formerly Slasher75. Anyway, I'm getting excited too....been thinking about it all week, trying to come up with a way to get out of work early on Friday. It wouldn't matter anyway, UK can't get out early because of his job requirements....too bad for him, I've got all kinds of vacation time to burn up too. We'll be there Friday nite anyway before they close the gates. Should take us four hours to get there.”

“Trip report will be on another thread, I am just here to say I finally got home at 12:45a after a 12-1/2 hour drive...safe and tired.

The trip was SUPER-DE-DOOPER!

Everyone that was there, in TT lingo, "totally rocks!"”