11:25AM Start Day 9
**Facebook Post 082517 at 2:39PM**
Ok… there is something way wrong with my phone right now. So, I’m going to post, but it’s insisting on changing numbers to smiley faces. I’ve been trying to get around this, but it isn’t working and I’ve already been at this hostel trying to work around it for hours. I don’t have this kind of time right now. So, sorry, but it’s going to be funky.
**Facebook Post 082517 at 7:11PM**
Oh Holy Hell! You are not going to believe this crap! So, yes, there are many surprises on the trail. Today’s was a doozy.
Today I got off trail as scheduled to pick up two bounce boxes at the Sterling Inn here in Caratunk, ME. While there, I grabbed some resupply, a shower, more laundry, etc.. Plus, it was due time I sat down and updated everybody as to where the heck I was at in this journey. After hours of fighting with my phone, which I am now convinced has some sort of virus, I finished up posting to Facebook and my WhereDidCindyjoGo.com, packed up and pushed on down the road.
Heading toward my jump on point, I had remembered being told about a hostel located between the trailhead and Sterling Inn. Some hikers had told me they served milkshakes and pulled pork sandwiches. Like any true thru-hiker, I was lured into stopping. Besides, if I’m literally going to pass right by it, why not stop? So, I head that way.
I get there and I’m told, “Guess what? You are spending the night. There will be no more trail for you today. The ferry doesn’t leave until tomorrow morning.” What do you mean I’m not going anywhere? The ferry isn’t running??? Wait! What ferry???
Yeah…. Apparently I am supposed to take a ferry across a big open river literally within a mile or so from where the trail and the road meet. It’s a must if I want to continue south on the trail. Somehow I missed this bit of information. (Of course, once I’m told, I go tearing through my book and read all about it. Yeah, I’m smart.) Good thing the B&B had a cheap room available and they weren’t full up with northbound bubblers. (Although, I would have been more than happy to stay at the Sterling Inn, but I’ll get back on that in a minute.)
Just as I’m being told this interesting info, a woman who is also south-bounding tells me the guy at the clothes line is putting all his stuff from his bag out to dry for the evening since he thought it would be a good idea to try and ford the river instead of waiting until morning. The river had other ideas. Taught him a lesson and sent him and all his stuff tumbling through the current. He made it, but not unscathed. I guess it looks pretty harmless, and isn’t uncrossable, but there is a dam upriver that releases from time to time and that’s why the ferry.
I’m no super hero, and I seriously don’t want me and all my stuff wet when it just started getting pretty cold out up here. Last night was 43 degrees from what another hiker complained. I was snug in my down blanket, and had no idea until it was time to pack up this morning. Either way though, wet down in 43 degrees wouldn’t be fun. So, I wait until tomorrow and for the ferry. They tell me it runs from 9AM until 2PM. Breakfast here at the hostel starts at 7. I figure, I’ll be up by 5, shower up, pack up, eat and be waiting for the ferry when they open.
SOB! It never ends.
Anyway, back to the hostels. I have to say the last few hostels I have had the fortune of visiting have all been really unique and entertaining. Shaw’s, in Monson, ME, where I had to go the other day for emergency resupply, was your classic hippy hangout. At least a few of the guests had half moved in, and there were comers and goers and stoners and people with dogs and and and. A constant flow of motion. People seemed pretty much from all walks of life all thrown together in a happy party house being run by a number of folks who I couldn’t tell were either permanent or work for stay, but all and all just a fabulous vibe.
Then today I had to stop at the Sterling Inn, even though it’s 1.3 miles off the trail, a small walk comparatively speaking to what I have to do, they are beautiful and clean with a very much laid back setting. There were only two other people there when I was. They seemed to be waiting all day for a ride somewhere and they pretty much just watched TV and relaxed while I did my thing. The place was immaculate. In fact, I thought to myself that I would love to take my mom here at some point and have a nice get away. She’d really appreciate it. Also, they didn’t charge me for the shower or laundry. And they were more than gracious about helping me with my boxes, and getting my package to home out. It was a beautiful house. I’d totally love to go back there. Also, when my laundry was done washing I folded the towels that were in the dryer for the inn keeper. He came upstairs later to tell me my clothes were dry and in all the years he had been working there and people have tried to do that, I was the only one who ever folded the towels exactly as they should go. I can appreciate a little anal retentiveness. My secret???? I looked for where he stored the other towels, right in the laundry room and mimicked to the T exactly how he folded them. I had a sneaking suspicion he would dig that. I mean, by the way the house was kept, this person HAD TO dig that. A little gift from one OCD crazy person to another. Tee hee!
Now I’m at the Caratunk B&B. This is more the flavor hostel where you know hippie hikers float in, but the riff raff is kept to a minimum. They serve awesome food! (Did I mention the milkshakes and pulled pork sandwiches? Yes, it was all that and more. I can’t wait for breakfast!) This atmosphere is also pretty laid back, and far from uptight. Pretty much reminds me of a cozy little neighborhood home business where the shop keeper just loves people and this is his way of having a never ending flow of guests. You can tell he loves what he does. Plus, the home is big time historic. The glass on the windows is that old school glass that has the flaws, and looks like it’s been here since the house was built. The bathroom even has the old style pedestal sink and the bathtub with lions claw feet. There are home made quilts on all the beds and the kitchen is warm and welcoming. One of, yes I said one of, the common areas has an old time iron wood burning fireplace in it. There are remnants of history all over the place. What a gem! Love it! You really feel like you’ve come home when you stay here. Like they have been waiting just for you.
BTW… I was interrupted writing this by my roomy coming up the stairs to tell me there would be dessert served. They made home made cream, raspberry sauce, and pastries for us. OMG!!!!! I have to go back on Trail tomorrow??? What?
•11:25AM at Sterling Inn
•4:10PM (Estimate) Walk to Caratunk B&B for a milkshake, told I missed the ferry for the day, spent the night
•8:45AM back to trailhead (US 201 (Mile 151.2)
•9:00AM Cross Kennebec River via ferry
(Mile 151.6)
•10:40AM Otter Pond Road (Mile 154.6)
•11:01AM Pierce Pond Lean To (Mile155.2)
•11:25AM (Estimate) North Branch of Carrying Place Stream (Mile 158.7)
11:25AM End Of Day 9
APPROX 7.5 MILES
(Add 1.3 miles from Stirling Inn to trailhead)
