Eastern Trail

Here's Tony Barrett's second report of Ed Talone's progress along Maine's ECG (dated 9/9/2002). The ETA hosts Ed from Saturday 14, until Tuesday 17th

It was getting late and Camden appeared pretty upscale for a backpacker looking for a place to set up a tent for the night in an empty field or backyard. It used to be that travelers could sleep on the lawn of the picturesque library overlooking the harbor. That practice ended some years ago as the size of anchored sailing vessels started exceeding the length of 18-wheel trucks. Ed was feeling a little desperate as he walked down the hill on Rt. 105 into Camden. Then another example of Maine hospitality, which has marked his trip, occurred. Mrs. Smyth offered Ed a free place in her B&B on this Saturday night (all rooms were booked but she offered a comfortable sofa downstairs). One of the guests treated Ed to a steak dinner. And so, the unexpected hospitality from Mainers along the on-road East Coast Greenway route continues.

Ed is meeting the objectives of his walk (see attached document and article that appeared in the Portland paper): Publicity, Walking the entire route while checking the cue sheets and Marking the route with painted blazes. Ed has met up with 2 journalists since Ellsworth who will hopefully write local articles. Additionally, he has been an on-the-ground spokesman for the ECG and conducting grassroots awareness. See the following couple of notes that have been sent in from the field.

"I managed to meet up with him in Hope as he was heading down towards  Camden.He seemed in very good spirits and was happy to talk with someone."

"Just wanted to report that the gentleman hiking the Greenway from Calais to Kittery was at our Post Office/ Country Store here in East Orland at 8:45 am this Thursday morning. He had breakfast and was very interesting to talk to and entertained the morning gathering of locals."

Ed has met scores of people along the route particularly interested in his marking of the route (at intersections and turns) with interim painted blazes. One homeowner who came out as a tree across the street was being marked commented, "I have heard of this Greenway to Florida and this is the first evidence that I have seen that it even exists". Several police or sheriff cars have stopped and given advice on directions, etc. In Thomaston, one of the Selectman even joined Ed while he marked 7 miles of the route. Ed has been met by fellow AT thruhikers who have walked with him for part of a day (as well as his share of dogs who usually escort him to their property boundary).

Ed is currently in Waldoboro and on schedule. If you can help out Ed with a place to set up his tent or to 'slack-pack' his equipment, he would appreciate it. Ed has coverage south of Portland but still would appreciate help in Mid-Coast. If you can help, simply drive along the route (see http://www.state.me.us/mdot/biketours.htm) estimating that Ed averages about 2.5 miles/hour with rests. He is easy to spot along the road. Offer him (or his pack) a shuttle towards the end of the day or directions to a tenting spot.

Ed is scheduled to walk with a group of visiting journalists on Saturday, Sept. 14 for a walk around Portland harbor. John Andrews and Zip Zamarchi are arranging an end-of-the-walk celebration on Tuesday afternoon, September 17 in Kittery. Ed will wrap up his last three days in Maine on the Eastern Trail on-road route. Ed is a big
fan of rail-trails and is looking forward to the finale in York County.

---Tony

Tony Barrett abarrett@suscom-maine.net 207- 833-0939

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