Date: 2014-09-16
From: Monson

To: Abol Bridge
Miles today: 99.4

9/11 We took a zero here in Monson and stayed another night at The Lakeshore because of bad weather. Another great decision because it got nasty outside. As much as To Long needed to push on because of time crunch Reboot and I were able to convince her to take a zero. We met Buddy, one of the locals in the area there who does food drops in the 100-Mile Wilderness and set up a mid-point drop so we wouldn't have to carry all over food from the beginning, so that was a blessing for sure.9/12 It was cool the next moring, and still misting a little but the clouds burned off pretty quick. We were planning a 15 mile day because the terrain looked pretty up and down-ish. We were also following the AWOL Guide on mileage at this point too and it was working pretty well. We were planning to cross the 100-Mile Wilderness in 5 days, which is pretty sporty for us old guys. By the end of the day we were feeling good about our pace and stopped early when we had completed our 15 miles at Long Pond Stream Lean-to.9/13 This would prove to be a tough day. We had 20.8 mils to do and the terrian definitely showed some challenges in the PUD (Pointless-Ups-and-Daowns) category. Little mountains like Fourth Mt, Three and a Half Mt, Third Mt, Columbus Mt, and Chairback Mt just served up some calorie buring, which I suppose I still need. Lots of roots too. No one mentioned to much about the whole root thing going on here in Maine either. 9/14 This morning we would have to face Gulf Hagas Mt, West Peak, Hay Mt, and our last 3500 footer before Katahdin, White Cap Mt. Having all this behind us by lunch felt pretty good so we took an early lunch at Logan Brook Lean-to, then set out for Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to which was our destination for the day. I must admit the old food bag was hurting by now and we were all just a little concerned about our arrangement with Buddy for our food drops. I tried to be positive but I must admit I too was just a little apprehensive. After all, what would we do if Buddy didn't show up? I think we all were hording just a little food, just in case he didn't show up and we had to make the last two days on gum and rasians.9/15 We kind a slept in this morning just a little because we only had 3.7 miles to go to Jo Mary Road where we were to meet Buddy and that would not take us long to cover. We were to meet him at 9 am. When we got to Jo Mary Road at about 8:35, a little early, there he sat in his SUV just like he said, and to say that relief washed over us would be an understatement. To hikers food is everything, and we were close to starvation. Well no really but to a hiker is feels like it. He was true to his word, and we had everything we had "ordered", and more. There was our food drops, everyone's favorite drinks, McDonald's Biscuts, Skidder Tire Dounghnuts (Compliments of Buddy), bottled water, and a big bag of York Pepermint Patties (Also, compliments of Buddy). We were in heaven. Buddy hung out with us while we stuffed our faces and repacked the food drops, and then kindly took all our trash back with him. He drove 120 miles round trip to do this and what he charged was nothing for services rendered, so we gave him 25% more than he had asked for. If you ask for Buddy at The Lakeshore they'll find him, but he's there most everyday anyway. We tahnked Buddy for all he had done and spent the rest of the day smiling and talking about all the trail magic, and trail angels, we had encountered along the way. It really has been an amazing year for weather, and trail magic, we all agreed. We covered our last 18 miles to Wadleigh Stream Lean-to and set up camp. Reboot and I tented and To Long was in the shelter. As I getcloser and closer to the finish line I find that i want to be in my tent more. Time to reflect I guess.9/16 This would be our last day in the 100-Mile Wilderness, and we had managed to cross it in 5 days. 5 hard days to be honest. We were beyond excited to be so close to the prise we had all sought for the last 6 months. We talked about the trail, the good times, and the ads times, the pain, the tears, the joy, and what would we do afetrwards. I'm not sure if any of us really knew the answer to that question, but either way the journey was coming to a close. We reached Abol Bridge about 6:30, it was a long 23 mile day, and we stood on the bridge and just stared up at Mt Katadhin. I couldn't believe I was actually standing there, finally! The very top of the mountain was clouded in, as if to say "not yet my friend", and we were okay with that for now. We took pictres, the clouds were beautiful, and our spirits were never higher. It took us a few minutes to realize that the danged misquitoes were eating us for dinner, so after a little white we walked the last few hundred yards to the Abol Bridge Camp Store and went inside to purchase a celebratory soda! To long's sister and BFF where suppose to be there to pick us up but were late so we worried about that for aout 40 minutes. There is no phone service out here so no way to reach them. They finially came dragg'en in about dark, but it was still wonderful to see To Long celebrate with them. After introductions we headed to Millinocket for food, showers, and linens, in that order.