Fri Mar 3, 2017 @ 12:07

I'm starting this trip with the easy life, staying at Mt Chase Lodge near Shin Pond Village. I figured it would be a nice way to start the trip, with a warm bed and home-cooked meal, but the plan may backfire by making it that much harder to go out into sub-zero temps in the morning.

All the other guests here tonight are in town for snowmobiling or ice fishing. I'm the only crazy one with cross country skis and plans to stay out for several days. Just the way I like it. And as an extra bonus, Bear and Sparkles, who also hiked the AT and PCT the same years as me, are part of the crew at the Lodge. Small world.

I'm stuffed with a wonderful salmon dinner, and enjoying some fine company and a lazy evening. This is what winters in Maine are all about.