Date: 2016-08-19
From: White House Landing - Mile 2,143.4 

To: Rainbow Stream Lean-To - Mile 2,159.0
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Today had a different feel to it than other days on the trail. It wasn't rushed. It just evolved in a comfortable way and it felt like this the whole day. It was wonderful.I got out of bed twice in the middle of the night to look at the stars and the full moon. Silly me, the full moon seems to prevent viewing the stars because of the bright full moon. Aracne was out the first time I checked the moon. Breakfast wasn't prepared until 7:30 so I slept in until after 6:00. So unusual. There was so much time to prepare for the day. It felt leisurely with time for brief conversations with many staying overnight at White House Landing. Breakfast was delicious. It felt good to see everyone and we were all in good spirits. I made inquiries about the fee to rent a cabin here with thoughts of a reunion or coming here with friends and loved ones. The morning was cool but the sun was out. It looked like the perfect weather day.Bill boated Subman, Suds, Blues Brother, and me back to the trail. I felt the trail slipping away while I was in the boat. The boat's wake drew a line in the water that dissipated over time. It seemed to be saying that you had it and you aren't coming back. It was like graduating from college. You've experienced and grown so much while you were there. The friendships and memories will last a lifetime but even if you return, it just won't be the same.As we docked near the trail, Blues Brother announced that he intended to hike fast today and that, if he was able to feel good and get into rhythm hiking, he may hike much farther than the 15 miles the rest of us intended to hike. He was soon gone. Will I seem him again? Did I expect to see him the last several days? It felt fine. Graduation, he was moving on.Subman set a pace that was very slow for him. I appreciated this pace. It didn't demand everything I had. We were able to stay in a line that enabled conversation, some of it was memories. The trail wasn't easy like yesterday. There were continual tree roots today. Like yesterday, it felt like fall. Leaves had fallen and sometimes hid the trail. The temperature was warm, but not uncomfortable. It wasn't humid and breezes frequently cooled us. Lunch was on Nahmakanta Lake. I looked for some smooth stones so that I could skip them in the water just like I did growing up at my Dad's parents cottage on Lake Erie near Dunkirk, Canada. Pizza leftover from last night was a treat. We continued to hike at a pace that wasn't strained for me. Subman was excited for Suds and me to see Mt. Katahdin from a 16 mile line-of-sight vantage point. It looked like the majestic monster I've seen before in pictures. Access was good here and I got to speak with Beth. Everything is falling into place for Beth to drive here for the Katahdin summit. Subman & Suds made reservations in Millinocket too.Blues Brother etched some Rabbit "go here" pointers on the trail. Subman etched his hearts for Suds just like he did many months ago in the snow. Subman and Suds etched a Rabbit in the trail so that I wouldn't miss the trail's turn. We spoke with various hikers throughout the day. It was fun to meet Mustard Seed, who I'd heard about before. And to see Abby and her hiking companions, who I'd briefly met before.We reached our destination before 5:00. Squirrel arrived. Then Sunshine and Moonshine. Then two hikers from Connecticut that we'd met at the last shelter. And then Spirit of 76 and Aracne arrived.Spirit set up her tent within talking distance of mine. Squirrel did too. Conversation ensued between us in bits and pieces. Then Aracne came down to eat dinner with Spirit. And we talked about the trail and how we were feeling about where we've been in self-reflective terms. We talked past hiker midnight. It was dark when we agreed it was time to settle into our tents.It was time for this day to end. What a day.