Hikers Ahoy!

This morning, I considered nouns: specifically, people, places, and things.

About to check out, contemplating nouns

People

People seem to be everywhere. At LAX there were lots of people, at 30,000 feet up, there were still lots of people. Even in Bangor there were people in the elevators at my hotel. I like people, but wonder how it'll be on the Trail. Given I'm solo hiking and have a schedule, I likely won't stick with too many people for too long on the trial. Regardless, it's time to leave the hotel. Even at the checkout desk there's people.

"Are you a thru hiker?"

Hey, one of them's talking to me.

"Yep."

From there I found out that Alex was also a thru hiker, planning on starting tomorrow (though hiking katahdin) and had driven up to Maine from Pennsylvania with his dad. They just happened to be checking out at the same time as me. They were also going to Millenocket, and offered me a ride. I accepted.

Alex and his dad, post drop off

So, I got to Millenocket about 8 hours early and enjoyed the company of Alex and his dad. We talked about the Trail, our gear, reasons for hiking, and partners. While Alex was starting his hike solo, he'll be meeting up with a friend to do the majority of the trail after he hits Monson. Neither of us have thru hiked before, and we're both looking forward to it. It sounds like he'll likely hike at about the same pace I'll be going, though he has more buildup time planned and is effectively starting a day later (because katahdin). I'm super jealous because his pack is only 40 lbs. I also heard from Alex that there's been below average rainfall this year, so the stream crossings shouldn't be hard. He was worried about water drying, I reminded him there's about a water source a mile in Maine, so we don't need to worry.

Places

Maine is beautiful. Today it's partly cloudy with a chance of gorgeous. While Alex was driving, we passed a military convoy, which was weird (though uneventful)

The Appalachian Trail Lodge (where I'm sleeping tonight) is a brilliant red wood building with wonderful people. They lowered my price (since they didn't need to shuttle me) and showed me my bunk. They also recommended a place for lunch, sold me the equipment I couldn't bring on the plane, and recommended a place for me to stay in the next town I reach.

When I went to get lunch, there were a fair number of other people there, five people who were clearly thru hiking. I was the only person on their own, but it seemed like one of the groups might have been a solo hiker and a duo. They all appear to be staying in the same bunkhouse I am. Time to go meet my neighbors.

Arrived at the ATL

Things

They suggested I buy 2 small Propane canisters  (so I did) and trade in my hefty refillable lighter for cheap plastic ones I can get for free from hiker boxes (hiker boxes are places you dump weight or unwanted things and other hikers can take them). So, now I'm a little heavier and ready to hit the road.

The ATL and a bit of Millenocket

P.S. (thoughts at midnight)
After writing the above, before getting the WiFi password, I met and befriended 4 other SoBo hikers. They encouraged me to hike Katahdin, and offered me a spot at their campsite if I need it, so in 6 hours I'll be hiking the largest mountain on the AT. Super excited, though it will add a day or two to my time.

SoBo backpacks