Wednesday 5th October
We wake up to heavy mist all around the house and then no running water!
Once the mist had cleared, we drove into town and emailed our hosts from the library. As there was no immediate reply we attempted to call them from a phone box, but it was broken! Having no phone signal here is a problem in these circumstances. Eventually the very kindly ladies in the Chamber of Commerce information centre made a call to the town water board whilst allowing us to call our hosts in Massachusetts who were as puzzled as we were until we heard that the hydrants were being flushed which meant the water being switched off for 2-3 hours. Having not looked at a local paper,we (nor our hosts) weren't to know.
After a not so good lunch at the Red Onion, a place for OAPs it appeared, and as the sun had beaten off the mist and for the first time here the temperature crept up to 64, we drove to Bald Mountain to brave the hike. A 2.6 mile round hike and exhausting, the end of the upward climb being rocky. A young chap, Dan, sped past us and made it to the top of the look out tower well before we did. We took around an hour and a half, he managed it in 40 mins! I have to say here that I am the hindrance with my dodgy knees, I think Pete could've got there quicker. But the slog was so worth it, to be able to see across Rangeley Lake in one direction (back to where we are staying) and Mooselookmeguntic (great name!) Lake in the other and the mountains in their glorious colours was fantastic. Eagles soaring above us too. And the air warm and fresh.
Had a chat with the very friendly Dan, who we reckon was not more than 25 years old and was travelling around in his car alone just 'taking it as it comes, no plans'. He had seen a picture of this view and decided to see it for real. His home is in Indianapolis and he was having to get to South Carolina to play football this coming Saturday. Needless to say, he literally bounded past us again on the way down - sure-footed as only the young can be.
We felt a great sense of achievement and celebrated with an ice cold beer on the way back at Loon Lodge on the lake, sun slowly setting.
Our climb, look out and descent took us around 3 hours.
We wake up to heavy mist all around the house and then no running water!
Once the mist had cleared, we drove into town and emailed our hosts from the library. As there was no immediate reply we attempted to call them from a phone box, but it was broken! Having no phone signal here is a problem in these circumstances. Eventually the very kindly ladies in the Chamber of Commerce information centre made a call to the town water board whilst allowing us to call our hosts in Massachusetts who were as puzzled as we were until we heard that the hydrants were being flushed which meant the water being switched off for 2-3 hours. Having not looked at a local paper,we (nor our hosts) weren't to know.
After a not so good lunch at the Red Onion, a place for OAPs it appeared, and as the sun had beaten off the mist and for the first time here the temperature crept up to 64, we drove to Bald Mountain to brave the hike. A 2.6 mile round hike and exhausting, the end of the upward climb being rocky. A young chap, Dan, sped past us and made it to the top of the look out tower well before we did. We took around an hour and a half, he managed it in 40 mins! I have to say here that I am the hindrance with my dodgy knees, I think Pete could've got there quicker. But the slog was so worth it, to be able to see across Rangeley Lake in one direction (back to where we are staying) and Mooselookmeguntic (great name!) Lake in the other and the mountains in their glorious colours was fantastic. Eagles soaring above us too. And the air warm and fresh.
Had a chat with the very friendly Dan, who we reckon was not more than 25 years old and was travelling around in his car alone just 'taking it as it comes, no plans'. He had seen a picture of this view and decided to see it for real. His home is in Indianapolis and he was having to get to South Carolina to play football this coming Saturday. Needless to say, he literally bounded past us again on the way down - sure-footed as only the young can be.
We felt a great sense of achievement and celebrated with an ice cold beer on the way back at Loon Lodge on the lake, sun slowly setting.
Our climb, look out and descent took us around 3 hours.
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