Date: 2009-07-27
From: Manchester, VT

To: Little Rock Pond Tenting Area
Miles today: 19.8

Feels Like Today and I wanted to leave earlier than anyone else for the trail. He cooked me some eggs and bacon, and then Jeff dropped us off. Along the drive, Feels Like Today said that he was going to do a ¢light¢ day of 20 miles! He had also started on May 21 and planned on summitting Katahdin on August 20th! I knew I wouldn¢t be seeing him for long! I was amused that he chose to hike with me for the entire day, even though he could have hiked much faster if he wanted to. We hiked up Bromley Mountain, looked out over the observation tower deck, and went to sit in the gondola seat where we took each other's picture. Then, we set out into the woods. We had some real conversation, which was nice. He told me the five reasons he was out here, what he hoped to gain from this experience, a bit about his family, his disappointment in people¢s selfish behavior these days, and why he thought most relationships don¢t last these days (he believed people lacked respect for one another, to which I completely agreed). At one point, we ran into a southbounder (maybe Zombie), who wanted to chat for awhile. (These poor southbounders are starved for company). He was extremely impressed with Feels Like Today's pace and thought that I was going to step it up and finish with him. I told him that I wanted to enjoy the end of the trip and was in no rush. I could tell he was from the south by the way he pronounced my name. After we parted, Feels Like Today joked, "C'mon Windy.. Only 25 days 'til Katahdin!"      We started to hear the sound of distant thunder, and Feels Like Today slightly increased his speed. The thunder got louder and louder, and just as we saw the back of Peru Peak Shelter, raindrops began to fall! As I came around to the front, I was shocked to find about 12 people sitting in the shelter! I put down my pack, went around the side to go to the bathroom, and as soon as I stepped inside, it began to pour! I could not believe our timing! OG was one of the hikers in the group and I was so happy to see him. I had been wanting a hug for sometime now, and I finally got one! MudD told me I smelled nice and asked if I had just come from town. By the time I had finished my lunch, the rain started to let up. I told Feels Like today that I was ready and we were the first to head off. We made it up to Baker Peak, where we found Andy on the phone. He asked us if we had an extra middle section to a pole! He had bashed his up. We took another break there, and headed on to Lost Pond Shelter, where I got some water. We found Ewok burning some incense and relaxing at Big Branch Shelter. He was set-up for the night, but we decided to press on, after the little bout of rain that had just commenced let up. We stopped in at Lula Tye shelter to see if there was anyone there that we knew, but pressed onto Little Rock Tenting Area. The caretaker said that the shelter ahead was mosquito- infested and that it would be better for us to stay here for the night. He also informed us that Mr. Pink, Leon, and another guy had passed through earlier and were planning on staying at the Greenwall Shelter (five miles ahead). We set up our shelters and went down to the pond to wash up. Feels Like Today borrowed a fishing pole from the caretaker and had fun with that for a bit.    Then, we headed back up the hill to cook dinner. Andy came along, looking for a place to set up his tent. We told him he could join our little area. (He also confirmed Mr. Pink¢s reputation). The caretaker came up to collect money and chat for a bit. He thought it was worth it to stop at the Whistle Stop Restaurant the next day (a half mile off the trail), which was known for its 5 egg omelets. Andy was very excited at the thought!   Around 11 o¢clock, someone started yelling for help. A raccoon was trying to get into a tent. I thought it was Andy, and thought to myself, ¢I guess thru-hikers need help sometimes.¢ Another person kind of laughed and said ¢just a second¢. They later threw up another bearbag.   It turned out to be the caretaker in training that was in need of the help. Andy was the one who came to his aid.