Date: 2016-10-05
From: Pollywog Stream/Wadleigh Rd

To: Katahdin Stream Campground/Baxter State Park
Miles today: 27.4

Pollywog Stream 2156.5 to Katahdin Stream Campground @ Baxter Park 2183.9 for 27.4 miles.Biggest Highlight today: Rainbow Ledges 1517' with View of the finish line of Baxter Peak, Katahdin. We woke at 5 am, eggs and oatmeal on the menu with hitting the trail at 6 am. While cooking, I declared I was going to see a moose today! Second morning waking to drivers side rear tire at only 10 pounds of pressure. Quick-ish fill with our mini jump starter/air compressor and off we went!! Headlights on highbeam, since it's just barely getting light. I see a big dark mass on up ahead on the right, where road meets trees. But there's a bend in the road, oh man...can it be? Driving closer to the bend, yes....yes it's a moose. I see her hind end and she prances down the road a second or two and off into the woods she went. I yelled out "Oliver...its a moose, mommy sees a moose...hurry look, a moose, Oliver its a moose!" Yahhh!!! Thank you Lord for my moose sighting!! It's been 10 years since my great Michigan, moose expedition (camping in U.P.-Sept/Oct) of 2006. With no luck at all, barely saw deer, for Pete sake!! So, almost two and half hours to get off the roads via Jo-Mary Rd and out of the 100 Mile Wilderness. Let's just say, chatter bumps are of Satan!! Ridiculous!! We dropped off our road pass paper at the guard shack, gentlemen says, "you must be Ruth." "Nope, but I know her and glad she's here and ok!" I sent her a text and told her I was going to Millinocket, then Baxter, hope to see her later. So, I hit the Hannaford grocery. Then gas station, then a lead on a garage to fix the tire and here I sit. Gettin'r fixed!! 11:05 am, done!! Next chore was a load of laundry, mainly mine, but Big's night clothes and one pair of socks. I had a nice chat with a lady prepping for her winter trip to Arkansas to be with her daughter & grand children. Then, I head to Katahdin Kritters, to drop WishBone at doggie day care for the night. No dogs allowed at Baxter!! He was playing with some puppies, so adjusting well and when I left he was getting love from Miss Kelly. I'm sad he'll miss the grand finale!! We got texts from Rabbit and Unknown. They must have sensed us getting close. I then text Subman & Suds, Fiber, Steady & Teach, Crash and Rabbit and Unknown ...our families too....to let the know that tomorrow is the big day!! It's 35 miles from camp spot at Baxter to the doggy day care. It took me a almost 2 hours to get there. One pit stop for water at the campground we are staying at tomorrow night, Wilderness Edge Campground. Miss Wendy was super helpful today. Let me shower & camel up, super great!! I arrived at a few minutes before 4, and Liz, Jay & Katie are here. Along with, Friendly Nate, Huckleberry, TwoSoles. I visited with Liz for a few minutes after getting wood for a fire, while setting Animals tent up & we hear treking poles...its Big & Animal!! They made it in awesome time, even stopped fir double scoop of ice cream at Abol Bridge store. We visited with hikers and I made burgers for dinner, we feasted and then to bed! 7 pm. Hiker midnight!!Big Cypress was in Baxter near a waterfall and was officially greeted to Maine by the local Indian Chief, Fred Moore. Tribe name means - Where the Land Meets the Water. The tribes main way to make a living, back in the day, was speer fishing. Now its mainly as fishing guides. The chief was so excited to meet a thru hiker, he asked to get a picture with Big Cypress. We will have to Google him to get in touch with him, once we are home. Big Cypress said he took a selfie, Animal was behind a bit, at the mile 21 marker. He started to walk away & then it just hit him, he started crying, a laughing kinda cry, he said. In awe of it all!! He said God is Good All the time!! Even in the bad to us, He is Good!! The trail was very pretty woods and lots of rivers & streams, waterfalls & ponds. It was a water kinda day! (As told by Big Cypress this evening)Critter Report: Big Cypress reports-lack of Chipmunks past few days, only lil red squirrels, until Baxter, now Chipmunks are back! Grass snake, and a pair beavers.