With a big AT milestone within my reach, I got up early with a hope of being one of the first cars at the trailhead (my experience with weekend crowds in the area over the last month made me worry a bit about parking). Picked up breakfast to go at the North Country General Store in Bingham (0700) and drove north on US-201. It felt weird to be leaving Bingham for the last time - I’ve come to like this little town! As I drove along the Kennebec, I got to witness a spectacular fog effect on the water - eerie! (Wish I could have captured it on film but my camera wouldn’t cooperate). Arrived the parking lot at 0745 and only found two cars there - the place was packed during my last visit (also a Saturday) but I guess the tourism really dropped off after Labor Day... Started into the woods (eastbound, AT NOBO) - I was wearing two layers to keep me warm in the 40 degree weather. The section was mostly uphill (gradual, fortunately) but I had one giant ravine to traverse in the middle - that made it a bit harder than what I’d seen during the previous few days. But, like I have during all of the AT miles before these, I walked at a careful pace and successfully conquered the obstacles. I passed a day hiker (opposite direction) on the outbound leg but otherwise had the trail to myself for almost three hours. Turned around at Hangtown Road, layered down a level and immediately started the backtrack. Made good time back to the ravine, descended again without falling and then powered back up the steep grade to the ridge above the Kennebec. It occurred to me during the next few miles that I’d been hearing traffic (sort of a dull hum) on US-201 almost all day - what a difference from the last week! Passed some trekking poles that were lying on the ground - they looked broken. I didn't see anyone around the area and decided to carry them back to the parking lot - maybe someone was looking for them? A nbit later, I encountered a young backpacker (“Sticks” or “Styx”) and ended up talking to him for about 15 minutes. He was a LASHer who had just ferried across the river from the Pierce Pond area. He said he was hiking the last (of four) long AT sections and was hoping to summit Katahdin on September 23. Many of his experiences over the 2000+ miles he’d hiked (in 2011, 2012, 2019 and 2020) were similar to mine - it was really nice to learn about AT challenges and trail/life lessons. He said he didn't know who the poles could belong too because he hadn't seen many hikers for a few days. Eventually, I said goodbye to him and reluctantly resumed my walk towards the car... Passed one more person (trail runner) and finished my hike at 1145 after 8 miles. Cleaned up and then headed south on US-201. Took some familiar roads across the area until I reached US-2 again - it felt strange to be around so many people and so much "hustle." Decided to reward myself with a treat at Gifford's Famous Ice Cream in Farmington (1355) - the sundae really hit the spot! I continued on US-2, towards New Hampshire, and realized I had a chance to visit the Sunday River Brewing Company in Bethel, a place I've passed several times but never patronized. It wasn't as crowded as I've normally seen so I was able to park and get a spot at the bar. I sampled one of their flights and watched football - eventually, I decided to get some food too. Several of the other people at the bar were willing to talk to me and I learned about the state of Maine's handling of COVID-19 (and the rebel owner of the Brewery's attempts to stay open). I also figured out that the bar was a "turnaround spot" for biker couples coming out of Portland. Finished my "hiker reward" fun at 1730 and resumed my drive to the west. Checked into Rodeway Inn in Gorham, NH (1800) and spent the rest of the evening reading and resting. What a week in Maine! The day began with the shortest hike of the week but it put me “over the top” - I’ve now got fewer than 500 AT miles to go! AT Today = 4.0 miles / G.T. AT = 1686.3 miles / AT Left = 499.0 miles
