(Daily Mi: 4.5) Hit the wall this am. Both legs just hurt like hell. Don't think I'll make it 19 miles today.

Funny start to the day. Brawny was up and out early. A short time hiker was camped near the shelter, and he and I were both drawn out by an unusual sound by the stream that served as a local water source. Something was just shaking the hell out branches at about 6:30 a.m. Turns out to be a giant bull moose eating a small tree.

Couple of small hills on the way to the Andover road. At the crest of the first one, I find another moose grazing with her calf. They skitter away at the site of me. Been seeing scat for 3 states. Nice to finally see some actual meece.

Got to the road between Mexico and Andover about 9 a.m. The Thruhiker's Handbook describes it as 'infrequently traveled' but I decide to let chance decide my fate and give it 1/2 hour. Five minutes into my wait, I catch a ride straight into town.

It is old home day in Andover. Literally. The parade is just about to start down the main drag as we are pulling in. I take a slot in the bunkroom at the Andover Guesthouse (12.00 w/shower), one of 3 local hiker venues in town, and watch the parade from the porch with ERTman, the Ass Pack, Redman and some of the folks who left with me out of Gorham.

Afterwards we all spread out to feast on bbq chicken, corn and fresh baked goods for sale at the various fair booths on the town commons accross the square.