Date: 2016-09-03
From: Abol Bridge Campground

To: Katahdin Springs Campground
Miles today: 10.2

I woke a little after 5am and I just lay in my tent reflecting not on my hike but my life. All the things that have led me to where I am now. I have a great life. I have family and friends that I miss and am ready to get back to. This will be the last time I will wake up in my tent on the Appalachian trail and pack up. My thoughts were that I did not take my children camping when they were young. As a parent I always look back and think that I could have done things differently or made a different decision in raising my children. Right now I wish I would have taken them camping and done a little more for them to experience the outdoors. That would have been good for me too. It's never too late they say. I have a young grandson who I will definitely take camping. I can't wait. I really miss him. At 6am it was time to start packing up to make it to the all you can eat breakfast at the restaurant. That was a great start to another wonderful day! The forecast was for a cool morning with clear skies and a sunny day. That sounded perfect! Jethro, Blastoise and I sat together for breakfast and it was packed. There were lots of people there to do whitewater rafting. All the rafters arrived together then all left at the same time because they needed to get on the bus to be transported to the start of their rafting. We laughed when Blastoise said, they don't understand the concept of all you can eat! We planned on being there the full 2 hours that we were allowed! Yes, we are hiker trash! Blue and Cheetah arrived to join us and the next two hours were great!We began hiking a little after 9am. Blastoise, Jethro and I kept leapfrogging each other throughout the day and we hiked together for a bit. The trail went along the Penobscot River which made for beautiful views, then it went along Abol Stream, Abol Pond, Katahdin Stream, lower and upper forks of Nesowadnehunk Stream and Grassy Pond. The trail was mostly easy to hike on so I was able to make good time. There were many side trails to sites and other trails intersecting the AT. I saw many of the rafters at a cool waterfall. People would jump into the water and it would take them down a rock like a natural slide and into the river. It looked like fun. I took a couple of side trails to see Little Niagara Falls, Big Niagara Falls and Toll Damn. The falls were very pretty. There is so much beauty around me. I am ready to go home but not ready to leave the wilderness. I would love to come back and hike slower with no schedule to enjoy the sites a little longer. As I got closer to Katahdin Springs campground I saw more day hikers. I talked to a couple who had their 11 yr old daughter with them who I later saw at dinner. I Reached the campground and went to the ranger station which was closed. Jethro was going to camp there while Blastoise and I were heading to town to stay in the hostel. We hitched a ride to town with two ladies from the Penobscot Indian tribe. Labor Day weekend is when the Wabanaki Nation makes their yearly pilgrimage. The Penobscots are part of the Wabanaki nation along with 4 other tribes. They travel 100 miles by running, biking, or canoeing and they start from an island just north of Bangor, ME and end at Katahdin Springs. They are tracing the steps of their ancestors. They do not summit Katahdin Mtn becaise they believe it is sacred and they are not worthy of climbing it. It was a very interesting story. I asked a lot of questions and they happily answered. We got dropped off in Millinocket and Blastoise and I walked to the hostel, dropped our stuff off, and went to get lunch. I had a lobster roll which was very good. After dinner, I showered and washed my clothes. I am sure that Yvonne will appreciate this as it has been 7 days since I had a shower and clean clothes! I was tired but I felt good. Yvonne arrived to many hugs and kisses from me. It is so good to have her here. We went out to eat dinner but the service was slow. Fortunately the food was good. We were both so tired after dinner that we went straight to sleep.I needed to rest up for my big day tomorrow.