Starting location: Frye Notch Lean-to
Ending location: Andover, ME
State: ME
Miles today: 14.6
Miles total: 1,932.7
We finally got a break in the weather and woke up to a sunny day. We knew we were heading into Andover, ME in order to do a small resupply to get us to Rangeley, ME. There were two places on the trail where we could get picked up to go into Andover. One was at 4 miles and the other was at 14 miles. After some thought we decided we would push the additional miles and have the Pine Ellis Hostel pick us up at 6pm. A very nice man from Pine Ellis named David picked us up from the trail and drove us the 9 miles into Andover, ME. Andover is one of those places that if you blinked you might miss the entire town. Everything in the town fit into one block and it was easily the smallest town that we have visited on our entire trip. The town consisted of a general store with a one pump gas station and a small diner in the back with 8 seats. There was a library, a post office, a fire department but no police department or any stop lights. That was it! These small American towns have so much character, we just love it.
Kristen and I have stayed in quite a few hostels during our trip and they provide a cheap way to get shelter for the night. Hostels are basicly bed & breakfasts but without the welcoming charm. Hostels cater to long distance travelers but anyone can stay in one. We have found that hostels are everywhere throughout the country but they often are not the first thing that comes to mind when looking for a place to stay. Hostels provide the most basic of amenities that long distance travelers often go without like a bed, shower, and laundry. To be honest, these things are no longer amenities to us on the trail they have become luxuries. The Pine Ellis Lodging might as well have been a 5 star resort & spa, it didn't make any difference to us. Staying at Pine Ellis was $20 per bed, $3 for laundry, and $5 for a shuttle back to the trailhead. The beds were located in an upstairs room with 6 twin beds spread across the room. I tried to get a bed next to Kristen but the only bed available was across the room. Sorry baby. Everyone should stay in a hostel at least once in their life. Like I tell Kristen, it builds character.
The entire town of Andover
Conan + Backwards
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