Date: 2007-10-20
From: Lake Shore House, Maine

To: Wilson Valley Lean-To, Maine
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Woke up around 8:30am when there was a large hiker breakfest made for "Lentil", "Deacon"(SOBO & PCT 2007), and I. It was grand with alot of coffee. I ate quickly and had to call "YDG" to give her a date and time to pick my up @ "Fatty K". That is what Lentil calls Kathadin. Anyway, I put in my trail journals that I was going to summit on Anno Domini(A.D.) Friday, October 26th, 2007. When I called her, she said that she could pick me up on Thursday or I would have to wait until Monday. I chose Thursday because Friday/Saturday the weather was predicted to change for the worse: wet and colder; probably snow. So, the rain had stopped and it rained very hard last night for 10-12 hours. It was a good day to be inside. When I got back to The Inn; Lentil and Deacon were still deep into their esoteric, ethereal conversation on religion. I said, "Guys, Guys!" Deacon was in his mid 50's at least. I told him that he did not look a day over 70. Anyway, he had just finished the Pacific Crest Trail(PCT) and was going south and just finished the 100 mile wilderness. He was going to go all the way to Springer. He was starved for human contact as the PCT is very remote and only about 200 hikers start the trail for thru hiking. The AT has 2000 start each year, at least. He also was finding out that the AT was much tougher with the ups and downs. Not the well graded trails for pack stock on the PCT. He was wore out on several levels. He was a consciencious evangelist. He was trying to plant seeds with Lentil; but, Lentil's "soil" was not fertile for planting at this time. I had hiked with him and knew that the way to impact him was through understanding; deep thought; long, witty conversations; and constant role modeling without reacting to his "shock" antics. With this in mind, "Guys, Guys". Deacon said, "OK, Zero, I know". Lentil saw his window and hit the trail. I talked with Deacon for awhile and he even walked about a 1/2 mile out of town with me. He thanked me for my soft spirit. I knew that he needed to talk alittle religion. I told him, no need to think me, "that is how the 'Man' designed me". And I headed on down the road back up to where the blue blaze hits the AT again. There was Lentil playing with a newt or salamander. It was black with yellow spots and about 4 inches long. He notices so much, that I usually miss. We hiked on and were thankful that we took the blue blaze into town because the 3 miles to Maine 15 were undulating in elevation. we both looked at each other and said, "this is it; no more paved roads; no more towns; woo hoo!" We got to The Leeman Brook Lean-To and were both, like, man, that was fast. We kept going and we came to our first ford. it was not that bad. I was cocky, "Is that all you have Maine, ha!" Then we found out that was not the ford of Little Wilson Falls, it was just a small tributary. We we came to the real ford: we both said, "#(^#!" How are we going to cross this? It was already dark, misty, chilly, and with the crashing water: it was daunting. But, as competitive males; we found a big felled tree across the stream and both crossed it straddling the log, like riding a horse, and scooting a little. The SOB took a picture of me straddling that tree. I hope that picture does not get out, we dont want any rumors(that is a small jab). We got across and i was happy that I did not have to get my boots even more wet than they already were. They have been semi-wet for weeks with periods of just totally wet. We both were wondering what Big Wilson Creek would be like. We came to a large creek and had to cross wading; squish, squish, squish my boots went down the trail. He went across first and I felt like a "Nancy"(as he would say) trying to cross without getting wet; so, I just plodded across. It was pretty swift. Guess what? It was not Big Wilson Creek. We came to Big Wilson and I resisted daunting and attempted to go across the 40 yard crossing without scouting as Lentil was doing. I had to be the cool mountain man. A whole night of serious rain had this creek flowing and deep as I found out when I hit a hole in the middle that came up to my belly button. I turned around and went back. I waited for him to come back with the scouting report. He said that I had crossed in the best spot. I told him how deep the water was and he grabbed another stick(he recently went to one hiking stick after twisting his ankle in the same area as I). It was an interesting juxtaposition between how I hike with my two poles and he with none and now one. His legs were alot stronger than mine; but, my shoulders and triceps were stronger than his. My pace was actually faster; but, he carried a larger pack full of odd items: a ceramic pegasus, 3 books, several rocks, snow goggles, kayaking pants, etc. I blew his mind when he dropped and did about 10 push-ups to try to showoff. I then did 40. Anyway, he went across first and I tried to stay right behind him, under headlamp. He is about 2 and 1/2 inches taller than I; so, I had to be a little more careful than him. when crossing a stream with a heavy deep current like this: it is alot like rock climbing. Each foot placement and pole placement must be secure before you move you 4 point of contact. You must always have 3 points on the river bed. A couple of times I came close to slipping. It is just one of those times, like sking, when it is a no fall zone or canoeing when it is a no flip zone. Anyway, everthing from my belly button down was very cold in the water and I just followed him from rock to rock for balance and trying to walk against the current, intead of sideways. We got across and he opened his bottle of Jim Beam and said congratulations. I took a swig and we headed towards The Wilson Valley Lean-To. When we got close to the shelter; we could see headlamps around the shelter. It was Saturday; so, there are often "weekend warriors" out. When we got there, the shelter was full of college kids from Colby. There were about 8 girls and 3 guys. They were real friendly and gave lentil and all hot cocoa and some cheese and tortillas. I then said that I needed to lay down and get in my sleeping bag. They made a spot for me against the wall. I ended up cuddling all night....not really. I slept next to a scared to death college boy. Lentil started a fire and had the undivided attention of three college girls. I laid down and was out!