Date: 2006-07-08
From: Nahmakanta Lake, Me

To: Rainbow Stream Lean-to, Me
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: few clouds

8.5 miles todayTentingRainbow Stream Lean-to, MeI slept really well again last night. I remember waking up once and hearing a loon, then an owl in the distance.I did wake up at 4:30am and thought about getting up, but changed my mind. :-)))From 4:30 on, I just layed in bed listening to the sounds of morning. A loon was making it a great morning with his call.I heard Frogcaller get up, then I heard Mrs Gorp on the beach talking to her, but I still wasn't ready to get up. Heck, I hadn't even started my coffee by the time those two left at 6am.I did brew my coffee shortly after they left and had an apple pie for breakfast.Zulu left about 7:30. That left me there alone to finish up my journaling before I left.We were going to Rainbow Stream Lean-to and I figured if I didn't catch the others, I would just see them there.I finished my journaling, then packed up and was walking by 8:30am.I stopped by the spring on the way back to the trail and filled up my water bottle.I stopped by Wadleigh Stream Lean-to and signed the register, then walked on.I was almost to the top of Nesuntabunt Mountain when I heard a trail crew working. I got excited because I thought an '03 sobo buddy of mine by the name of John Galt was going to be there.The crew leader said that John Galt was either on White Cap or Bald Pate Mountain...he couldn't remember which.I thanked him for all the great rock steps they have been putting in, then walked on up to the summit.I went out to the overlook and sat down for a break. I ended up staying there about 30 minutes and dried out my backpack and my clothes in the sun.I took some pictures of Nahmakanta Lake with Katahdin in the background.Katahdin didn't show up real well because it's a very humid day and although I could see it, it was hazy out.When I got down off Nesuntabunt Mountain, I came up to Crescent Pond. I walked out to the shore and looked for moose, but there wasn't any.I caught up to Mrs Gorp and Frogcaller on the far side of the pond. A sobo by the name of Goat Milk was also there.While we were talking, a nobo by the name of Batman came by without stopping. His dad came by in a couple minutes and told us that was his son, then told us what his trail name was.We were still walking by Crescent Pond and I could hear a bunch of boyscouts jumping into the pond and yelling.Turns out that it was a bunch of girlscouts...roudy girls. :-)))I decided to walk with Frogcaller and Mrs Gorp just so they wouldn't have as much time to talk about me. Ha!!!We stopped in a while and took a break, then Sam, a sobo came by. He seemed real happy to be out here.Mrs Gorp and I took a side trail to see the gorge, then caught back up to Frogcaller and walked with her again.Met another sobo by the name of John. So many sobo's without trail names...hummm.When we got to Polywog Stream, I let Mrs Gorp and Frogcaller walk on ahead and I took a bandana bath.It was humid out and I was feeling pretty sticky. At least the bugs haven't been bad today.I caught up to Mrs Gorp and Frogcaller again. When they sat down at 1pm for a break, I kept on walking.I met another sobo by the name of Bone Fish, then about half a mile before the shelter, I ran into a sobo by the name of Drew.He said he remembered me from '03 when he did a northbound hike and I was a sobo.At least he's seen the error in his ways and he's walking in the right direction this year. :-)))I got to Rainbow Stream Lean-to and a sobo by the name of Blane was there talking to Zulu.I took another bandana bath, then cooked my dinner.Frogcaller and Mrs Gorp came in just as I was getting ready to eat.A sobo by the name of Brian crossed the stream just as they got in. He said he has 2 months to walk as far south as he can get.I took a few pictures of the Lean-to and the stream crossing just to remind a good friend of mine, Rainbow Slick, how he got his trail name.Rainbow Slick got his name the first time he tried crossing the stream and slipped in the stream off a log.I finished eating by 4pm and went up the hill to my tent to write today's journal.I'm not walking many miles, but it sure feels good to lay down when I can. I must really be getting lazy. :-)))