Day 19 - Friday, July 1

Linda

We got up at 4:30 this morning, and were on the trail by 5:30 so we could walk our 10 miles and still get into Rangeley at a good hour. We made really good time going up Saddleback Junior, then over The Horn and Saddleback. There are 3 miles above timberline between The Horn and Saddleback, and by the time we got up to The Horn, the fog was rolling in and the wind was blustery. We had some rain down the other side, but could still see fairly well. The view was impressive. We continued on down to Piazza Rock Lean-to after eating a snack in the caretaker's cabin on Saddleback. Piazza Rock is a very nice lean-to, complete with a caretaker, who was an MATC (Maine Appalachian Trail Club) volunteer. She had just arrived and the man who brought her to the lean-to offered to give us all a ride into Rangeley, which is 9 miles off the trail. We were grateful for the offer, so we didn't have to worry about hitchhiking. We talked for quite a while, then walked the last mile of trail down to his car and drove into Rangeley.

Rangeley is a pretty little town, but populated mostly by summer people, so it tends to be a hangout. We were dropped off at Viola's Guest House, which had been recommended to us. Viola is a neat little lady, and a real go-getter. We got a room for four, and figured that Ray would be in town shortly. I immediately retired to the bathroom and soaked in hot bath in a great old claw-foot cast iron bathtub. It felt wonderful!

While I was soaking, Ronald and Richard went across the street to talk with the infamous group of Les and Pete Van Auken, Bear the Wonder Dog, Rick Reis and Brian Purcell. I got a chance to meet them later in the afternoon. We had been hearing about them, and following their exploits in the trail registers. We knew we were close behind, but this was the first time we had caught up with them. Les and Pete must be reasonably serious about their hiking to have made it this far, but they have a cavalier attitude, and are quite the party animals. Rick Reis reminds me a lot of my brother Randy in looks and casual manner. His brand new pack broke just two hours out of Katahdin, so he replaced it in Monson with a Hillary III. That probably won't go the distance either, the way he has it crammed full with things sticking out of every nook and cranny. I'll have to remember to ask him if he does in fact have the kitchen sink in there. It doesn't seem to bother him, though, Brian Purcell is a guy we met briefly the day we got to Katahdin. His original partner, Dan Mignone had knee trouble and had to quit, so he teamed up with Rick, who's partner also quit. Brian is the quiet type, so I guess they get along fine.

Ray had also arrived by that time, so when everyone had a chance to clean up, we walked downtown and did our shopping. Then, after repackaging everything, the four of us went to the Red Onion for dinner. We ordered three large pizzas, thinking we would have no trouble making them disappear, but couldn't quite finish them all. Guess we weren't quite as ravenous as we thought. Next came the laundry, which always takes time, but it's a good time to write cards and letters.

I called Mom and Dad and Mom gave me the news that my Grandpa George had died on Tuesday. Dad had flown to Oregon on Thursday for the funeral. I called Grandma's house, but the only one there was my cousin Dan Jensvold, from southern California. He said the ladies (Grandma, and her sisters, Olive and Alice) and Dad had gone out for a while, but he would let them know I called. I haven't seen Dan in years, so it was good to talk with him. He said that Grandma is holding up fairly well. I know it will be hard on her after everyone goes home again. She depended on Grandpa for so many things. She's pretty determined, though, so she should be okay. I'm glad Dad and Randy, and so many other members of the family could be there with her now. It will mean a lot to Grandma. I'll write her a letter and call her the next time we're in a town.

We were back at Viola's around 11:00 and decided on blueberry pancakes for breakfast. Viola said she'd get up and have it ready for us at 5:30, so we could get an early start. She's really something. When we first got there, she was making shutters for the windows. She had also made the tables, curtains and table cloths for her restaurant. Didn't get to bed until midnight, and set the alarm for 4:30.

Ron

We left early this morning to get to Highway 4 and into Rangeley, Maine. There were a couple of stiff climbs into the Saddleback and Horn Mountains, but we had finished all of our climbing by 9:30. The view from Horn Mountain was good, but the haze eliminated distant views. On the climb up Saddleback the wind blew with increasing intensity. Just before we reached the crest a light rain began to fall. At the summit we rested about 30 minutes in an old fire tower cabin to escape from the wind and rain.

The climb down was fairly easy with few steep descents. This section of the trail is well maintained. It's probably due to the popularity of the area. The rain finally cleared up around mid afternoon and it turned out to be a beautiful day. At Piazza Rock Lean-to we met a Maine forester and chatted a while. He was kind enough to give us a ride into town. He offered to put us up tonight at the camp he was staying. We decided to stay here in town and get our chores done.

We did our shopping and bought way too much. Breakfasts and lunch for seven days cost over twenty seven dollars. We at dinner at the Red Onion restaurant. Tonight we are staying at Violas rooming house.

We finally met the party of hikers that had been traveling ahead of us for the last couple of weeks. They were leaving Rangeley shortly after we arrived. If we keep up our pace we may catch up to them in a few days. We plan to get an early start in the morning and try to make fourteen miles.

(10 Miles - 217.4 Total)