Date: 2004-09-23
From: Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to

To: Rte 15 (Monson)--The Pie Lady
Miles today: 9.0

9.0 mi. in 4.5 hrs.Kept hearing thuds upon the tin roof last night, unlike pine cones or leaves. It may have been flying squirrels, which some register entries warned us about. They're able to land on strung-up food bags and chew into them. Out by 6:45 AM on a clear cool morning, with a bright sunrise lighting up the woods as I went. First item was fording another branch of the Piscataquis. Did this barefoot, as the rocks were smooth and the bottom quite visible. Then an easy run for the remaining miles except for some mucky or "rooty" sections. Took a last dip at a secluded sunlit cove at Lake Hebron. I'll miss those moments. Hit Rte. 15 around 11 AM and walked only ten minutes before securing a lift into town. Nice local guy with a right arm prosthesis, with his wife, in a pickup. A breezy ride in back into town, going out in style!Made it to Monson! First stop, C&G gas station and market, for some Ben and Jerry's and chocolate milk. There I met "Gunstock", a SOBO my age from PA who was planning to complete his hike started in 2002 by hiking south to PA, but who ran out of enthusiasm by Monson. He had the sense to get off now and will be headed home by tomorrow. Nice guy. He makes gunstocks for a living. Second item of business: check in at the Pie Lady's for shower and eats, and a change into clean clothes. I don't like Shaw's abusive treatment of her as competition, and decided to spread the business around a bit.Then a massage session down the street. Such happy feet and legs! They got me here; they deserve a reward. On the way back I ran into Raven, Alaska Pete, Southernman and Doc. We congratulated each other on our success so far and wished each other the best after the trail. They're mostly resting up today. They gave themselves a sensible climb date up Katahdin, on Oct 2nd. The good weather's supposed to hold.So here I sit in the Pie Lady's parlor, waiting for my lift home from the person who deserves the most recognition of all: my wife Gloria. She endured six months of solitary labor in my absence, helped to be sure by friends and a visit from the kids, but still, facing nights in an empty house. It was her task to handle crises at home and keep up a cheerful front in the face of a not so cheerful separation. Her visits to the trail and mine to home made a huge difference to us both, certainly strengthening my half of the partnership in a trying period. She has big payback coming!Another great source of support was my office staff and the very capable Dr. Butler, all of whom ran the practice so well in my absence. It was a joy to call in every now and then, be told all was well, hang up and hike on with peace of mind.The journey is over. My curiosity is now satisfied 100%. Sure, it would have been great to press on through the Wilderness and up Katahdin with the rest. But I did that last year (see prep #3). So now I can look up the trail at a road crossing and envision its twistings and turnings, the towns it passes through, and the many hikers laboring along its course. No need to repeat it, though Gloria and I are already planning to do the 100-mile Wilderness together next year. Here's to the future! But first things first: back to the real world tonight, with its greater complexity but greater comforts. Starting with a real meal, then the hot tub! G'nite! Now or Never