Date: 2005-09-11
From: Woods near River

To: Logan Brook
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: broken clouds

I was packed and moving down the trail before daylight. I stumbled along rather slowly until things began to lighten up a little. I then picked up my speed, fueled by the knowledge that I would soon have back my most important piece of gear..my Thermarest! I had to meet buddy down at the road around 8AM.I sat shivering on the road with all my clothes on waiting for Buddy. I had arrived around 7AM, circled around down by the river to make sure I was at the only road in the area, and then hiked back a half mile to wait at the trail head. It was freezing, but I'm a cold weenie, so it was probably only about 40 or so degrees.A game warden pulled up to ask what I was doing. I told him I was waiting on an important delivery. We chatted for a bit, and he pulled away. He immediately backed up and asked me if I would like an apple or a cucumber. Hmmm...tough decision. I grinned and accepted the apple. "Thanks a lot." Maine is a great state. I'm from the south, and I can honestly say that most Mainainites I've met could run us southerners a fair race in hospitality and friendliness.Buddy pulled up around 8AM, and gave me a discount, requiring only 60 bucks for my Thermarest. At least I've only ALMOST paid for it twice. I sat in his truck chatting for about 20 minutes, and warming up. Man it was hard to walk away from that vehicle. I had visions of Shaw's breakfasts, and Monson barbecue dancing before my hungry eyes. It would have been so easy.I headed down to the river crossing, put on my Crocs, and waded to the other side where I chatted for a bit with a ridge runner. He was frustrated b/c someone had camped in a restricted area on that side of the river. He was suprised since he had filled the spot with brush and moose poop. Clearly it had been a thru. Brush can be moved, and poop shmoop. We smell a lot worse than any moose poop! I had a good idea of who it was, but innocently stated that it must have been a section hiker. Thru's were far too law abiding to do something like that. He just smirked at me and snorted....rather moose like.I glanced over my shoulder at the river, and there were already about 6 day hikers wading across. Time to move! I headed up the trail with a group of 20 something's close behind. Wow they were loud! I was never going to see any Bull Winkles like this, so I cranked it up a notch and pulled away. Smart move, b/c about a half hour later I saw a cow and calf grazing in a marshy area about 20 yards to the left of the trail. I've had so many hikers tell me how stealth these animals are in the woods. Well, not these Meese. It sounded like a large heard of cows taking off through the brush. Clearly they were less practiced in the stealth techniques of more seasoned Meese.There were lots of climbs today, with the biggest being White Cap. I sailed right over them though with the knowlege I would sleep on my Thermarest tonight. I was a happy lady. The views from atop White Cap were gorgeous, and the winds slung me around a bit as I headed down from the top. There was a nice bench on the summit, but it was getting late, my stomach was fussing, and my cold weenie personality was pushing me onward.I arrived at Logan around 5:30. There were what appeared to be two section hikers already asleep in the shelter. The creek out front was an excellent water source, and I went looking for a spot to set up my tent. I found a nice spot next to the creek, set up my tent, and made dinner for the evening. Dinner for me is very easy. I'm almost 100% dehydrated, so I just boil, add water, and do chores for ten minutes while the food rehydrates. In other words, I set up the tent, get water, and cook first, so I can do chores while I wait. It's a pretty efficient process, and requires NO pot washing since all meals are repacked in ziplock baggies to which boiling water can be added. The original dehydrated meal packaging is too bulky and cumbersome, so I always repackage the meals.I journaled for a bit, and was lulled slowly to sleep by the wonderful, lyrical sounds of a quickly rushing stream. God I love this life!