Our Dream Adventure

OUR DREAM ADVENTURE...

In 2014/2015 we are taking some 'Time Out' and planning an adventure trip of a lifetime.

We will start with a six month thru hike of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail or 'AT' for short. A 2186 mile (3500km) trail running along the eastern United States of America.

Next we will be taking a break from daily hiking (there will be some hiking involved though!) and will be going on an amazing three month adventure holiday through South America.

Finally, back to thru hiking again. This time five to six months in New Zealand hiking the Te Araroa - New Zealand's Trail ('TA' for short). A 1865 mile (3000km) trail spanning the whole of New Zealand.

We have set up this Blog so that family, friends and anyone else who is interested, can follow our adventure which will include blogs about our planning and preparation stages as well as our whole amazing trip.

(So not to bore you with too much information, if you wish to read or learn more about what The Appalachian Trail and the Te Araroa Trail are all about see the 'Links' below the three maps in the left hand column.)

Christine & Nigel xxx



Sunday, 13 July 2014

Day 143 Spaulding Mountain Lean-to to ME27, Stratton

Today's miles 13.5.  AT miles 1997.1

It was another lovely warm sunny day.  I woke up this morning feeling 100% better at last, I'd still been feeling a bit bleurgh the last couple of days.  I'd finally got my appetite back yesterday afternoon.  We were up early and walking again for 7am straight into an uphill climb to Spaulding Mountain 4000ft.  Just down from the summit on the other side was a plaque to commemorate the official completion of the AT in 1937.  We continued over Sugarloaf Mountain then descended very steeply down to the South Branch Carrabassett River.  Again we managed to cross the river with dry feet. There was a plank of wood across two large stones, had that not been there we would have had to ford that small section.  We stopped at the rivers edge in the sun for a break before the next uphill.

Our next two 4000ft+ summits were South and North Crocker Mountain.  Another steep climb up!  It was then a long but steadier, thankfully, five mile descent to the ME27, Stratton road where we arrived just before 3pm.  Not a busy road with very intermittent traffic, none of the roads seem to be busy in Maine, we only had to wait about half an hour  though before we got a hitch into Stratton.  A very nice man with his lovely golden retriever dog kindly picked us up and dropped us in town at the Stratton Motel.  They had no rooms available so we checked into The White Wolf Inn instead, which turned out a much better option.  Very reasonably priced, friendly staff and a great bar menu.  We showered, did our food resupply then returned to the White Wolf Inn for dinner.  Highly recommended,  delicious home cooked food, Nigel had Bourbon Beef tips with Indian spiced baked potatoes and I had BBQ beef brisket with Big Boy Mac & Cheese. Nigel ate half of mine as well, I got a huge portion.  Dessert was Maple Creme Caramel!  We were stuffed! 









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