August 27, 1981 - Spaulding Mountain Shelter to Hostel in Rangeley Maine-
Made good time into Stratton Maine. I was there by 12:30 p.m. Got a ride with lady and children in back of pickup
truck. I was going to stay at the widow's walk boarding house but the lady who picked me us had rooms for rent for
$5.00 a night and I decided to stay there instead. They said they would take me back to the trail in the morning also.
I got some items sent it back home at the post office and bought some groceries and ate a pizza at Kathy's Place
restaurant. Marjo came in later and stayed here too. We ate ½ gallons of ice cream outside on the picknick table
down at the widows walk. (chocolate) Steve Robinson was here also tonight. He stayed at the widow's walk. I will
head out tomorrow for the Bigalows!! Marjo and I went to a fancy restaurant for supper and Since I had already
eaten I just sat and talked while she ate. Took two showers and slept in a real bed for a change. I went to bed early
as usual.

Canada Jays were friendly in Maine
August 28, 1981 - Hostel in Rangeley Maine to .5 mile north of Avery Peak Shelter-
Left Stratton at 6:45 p.m. with the owner of the Hilltop Inn. Marjo and I walked up to Horns Pond lean-tos (two of them
like Penn.) This place had a sign that looked like the famous locked in A.T. sign. It was built out of telephone poles
and as the only one I had seen like that on the whole trail. I took pictures of the caretaker setting inside of the
shelter and Marjo and I had a quick lunch there. We made it to Avery Peak lean-to and decided to stop for the night.
Steve Robinson came in around 2:00 p.m. and was surprised to see us there. Marjo and I decided to hike ½ mile
farther up to Avery Peak where we could see a sunset. We saw an excellent sunset and camped out in the open
above tree line. It was windy and cold all night but was worth the trip up because we saw an even better sunrise the
next morning. Earlier in the afternoon Marjo got the best picture taken on the whole trip with my camera. She took a
picture of me feeding a Canadian Jay out of my hand. These birds are very tame and left a most memorable
experience with all of us there. I met the relatives of Myron Avery at the shelter near Avery Peak. They were two
older women who were celebrating by drinking Scotch out of Sierra cup.

Horns Pond
Sunset at Avery Peak
Horns Pond Lean-to - 2006
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