Date: 2003-09-09
From: Rainbow Stream Lean-to

To: Abol Bridge
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: clear sky

It was quite chilly last night and this morning. The thermometers we all had never agreed, but the consensus was that it was into the 30s. That sure makes it hard to get out of sleeping bags. A bit later than usual, but still by 6:30am, I was out and moving around.While we straggled out in ones and twos, we all ended up stopping for breaks together. It's fun doing that. That way we all get to chat. I am enjoying that a lot, since the days that I have left to talk to my hiker friends are nearly gone. I have enjoyed all the hikers I've met, but hold a special place for those I'm hiking with now. We joke and talk all day, and it is fun.Aloha and I were talking today about life after the trail, especially about what to do when we miss the trail life. Even though friends and family might say they do, they don't understand how it was on the trail. It is not a fault, just a fact (unless they've done this also). Aloha was told by a thuruhiker that the best thing to do when trail talk is needed is to call a fellow hiker. He or she will understand. I am fortunate that Subman lives nearby, and we can talk trail almost whenever we want to. I think that will be important after I return home.She asked me where my energy would go after this hike, and I said "Well, I have to make some money..." She said "No, what is your next adventure?" I have been making a mental list of things I'd like to do, including, but not limited to: section hike the ECT from Key West to Cape Gaspe, Quebec; hike the PCT; canoe/kayak the Wilderness Waterway in FL. I don't know when I would be able to do these things, but they are on my mind. I have to work out a lot of things, but I know I want to continue to do outdoor adventures. Maybe they won't all take 6 months to do... I'm not ready for that right now. I still have a few days of this one to work on.It was a good day of walking today, nice and cool, and with a good group of people to hike with, what could be better? We took a lunch break on Rainbow Ledges, basking in the sun, and enjoying the remaining days. We had thought we would be able to see Katahdin from there, but could not. Until we left our lunch spot and headed north. TB and Tom had gone ahead, and I was the first of the stragglers: Hotdog, Coffee, Aloha, Old Corpus and I. We went down a bit then back up to another peak. I was cruising along, mostly looking ahead, when I glanced to by left. Then I nearly fell down. Between the trees was an outstanding view of Katahdin! "Whoa!" It appeared much bigger than when I'd seen it before! Just as awesome though. The others came along and we all stared at it, taking pictures. I said to everyone "It just needs a candle on top, because THAT is a piece of cake!" It's a phrase I'd been using lately, and would probably make everyone tired of hearing before we ! were through. The truth is, Katahdin looked quite impressive. But definitely not impossible.We hiked on, stopping at the last shelter of the Wilderness, and the last regular shelter on the AT for northbounders. I had nothing profound to write in the register, as many before me had done, so I wrote a line from a Sheryl Crow song: "Sometimes you gotta get away to wanna go back home again." We relaxed a bit at the shelter before hiking the last 2 or 3 miles of the Wilderness.As we got near Abol Bridge, we heard cars, and they sounded like they were moving fast, as they would on a paved road. We were almost there. Aloha said something out loud about that, and Hotdog said "Nah, that was just Wench's parents stopping by to give out Trail Magic." Not 30 seconds later, I saw two people, wearing white t-shirts, hiding in the woods. It was Ma and Pa! I had called them earlier in the day to tell them I was a day ahead of schedule, but wasn't sure they'd get the message, since cell coverage isn't too good up here. They didn't get the message, but had decided to set up Trail Magic at the road anyway, and then caught word that I was probably coming through today. It all worked out just fine. They and Don Quixote, who was a day or two ahead on the AT, had both set up a cooler with cold drinks and snacks. We sat in the woods, less than one hundred yards from the end of the Wilderness, drinking and eating our fill, and, as usual, chatting. Don Q and! Gutsy showed up, knowing Aloha and Coffee would be along. Gutsy has a knee injury and has skipped some of the trail, but is planning on climbing Katahdin. In my opinion, she sure IS gutsy to do that, and I hope she does just fine.We finally got up and hiked to Abol Bridge Campground and Store, where Aloha, Coffee, Old Corpus, Gutsy and Don Q headed to Don's camp, and Thirstyboots, Tom, Hotdog and I set up camp with an excellent view of Katahdin. I talked to Poptart, a 2002 (I think) thruhiker, and current MATC (Maine Appalachian Trail Club) caretaker for the Katahdin area. Ma and Pa had talked to him earlier in the day, so he was happy to hear that I got hooked up with them. He pointed out the approximate route of the AT going up Katahdin. From Abol Bridge there is an outstanding view of Katahdin across the Penobscot River. What an awesome mountain!Ma and Pa took Hotdog, TB, Tom and I in to Millinocket for dinner, and unfortunate for me, the guys wanted to hear "Teresa stories". However, Ma must've been feeling generous, because she only told the "First Time Teresa Cussed" story. (I was 1-1/2 years old, struggling with my shoes, and when Ma asked what was wrong I told her "I can't get my GD shoe on!") We had a good dinner at the AT Cafe, and then Pa took us back to Abol Campground for the night. Also camping there were Nick, Super Dave, and Vermont Pete. The moon was full or nearly full and I'd hoped it would rise above Katahdin for a good photo opportunity, but it never did make it to that part of the sky.The weather has been wonderful for the last several days, and we all hoped our summit day would be just as clear. Poptart seemed to think the weather would hold out for us and allow us outstanding views from Katahdin too. I sure hope so.