Date: 2014-09-22
From: Dear brook

To: Rainbow campsite
Miles today: 20.2
Weather: few clouds

In which I walked all day around, through and near water.Today was yet another long day hiking. I hiked for 10 hours and did 20 miles. The day started with rain and now it is again pitter pattering on my tent. The wind has been blowing fiercly and I've surveyed the campsite for potential falling trees before setting up.I got to camp relatively early, 5:30ish. Just in time to cook dinner, chat around our "kitchen", get water (which was crashing up on shore greatly!), hang my bear bag (which I got snagged up in the tree, Lost Boy to the rescue) and finish my chores. I'm nestled into my bag listening to the wind roar. It's dark already and has gotten progressively cooler as the day has gone on today. I think it's going to be in the 40's tonight. I can see my breath already.So back to today. It really was a lovely day hiking, except for the roots, rocks and mud which provided a bit of a challenge, but I managed. I did get my foot/shoe sucked into the mud when I slipped off of a rock. That was a little disgusting but all part of the fun out here. Gotta laugh or cry....and the crying I'll save for the end.Did I mention that a moose walked right in front of my tent early this morning. It left a big hoof print in the mud by the entry to my tent. I was awakened around 4ish I'm guessing to a thud and the ground underneath me moving. That got my attention and my heart racing. Messy heard it too as it walked by their tent. Proof was awaiting when I crawled out this morning.So that excitement started my day. I'm also happy to say my food bag survived the forest and the night yet again. No rodents feasted on my food which is good because there is not much left in it.There were several river and stream crossings today. The first one was very slippery from the overnight rain. My foot got a little bath on that crossing. There was no need to change shoes otherwise which takes less effort. The trail paralleled a babbling brook all morning. There were big boulders sitting in the middle of the stream with plenty of river rocks surrounding. They were very beautiful with the sun shining on them and the colors from the leaves dancing red, yellow and green across the rippling water. It was an enjoyable and easy walk.Then we came to a lake and literally walked 3/4 of the way around it while climbing up and down the mountain side. The water was a very, deep, bright blue with a rocky shoreline. Autumn colors abounded. The wind was blowing white caps across the water. I could even hear a sea plane taking off.At lunch time we finally got a glimpse of Katahdin some 16 miles away yet, but even then the summit was engulfed in clouds. It looked magnificent already and I got butterflies just thinking about climbing up it and finishing this journey.After lunch was more walking around ponds. This time was a little more tricky. The roots and rocks became large and slippery. Mud spattered everywhere and my legs are nicely painted. The wind is still blowing fiercely, it looks and feels like fall.It's up and out at 0600 tomorrow morning. Have to get to Abol bridge, food is calling, then on to Baxter State Park!I can't believe I'm so close to finishing. This seems very surreal tonight eating our "last supper" in the 100 mile wilderness. But now to sleep, then eat and walk some more.