Date: 2011-08-29
From: Oquossoc's Now Bed and Breakfast

To: North of Old Blue Mountain 
Miles today: 8.8

Day 161 - While lying in bed last night reviewing the map and trail guide, I saw where I had to cross Bemis stream, only 0.8 miles into my hike. There was a warning that this stream, which had to be forded, should not be attempted after heavy rains. Since we had received 6-8 inches of rain on Sunday, I knew I was in trouble. Fortunately, the map showed a "blue blaze" trail, starting on ME 17 but crossing the stream on an old railroad bridge. "Blue blazes" are side trails that intersect the AT which have white blazes. There are numerous blue blaze trails along the AT. The issue is that blue blaze trails are sometimes hard to find and not always well marked or maintained. If I was not able to find this trail, in all likelihood I would have to take another day off, or even 2, to allow the stream to settle down. I asked for God's help in helping me to determine how to proceed. This had to be in the back of my mind as I slept because I remembered waking up several times during the night thinking about it and remembered asking for God's assistance. Very strong winds arrived at 4:20am but no rain; this must have been the back side of Irene's rotation. I got up at 6:30am, showered and packed. I had another great breakfast consisting of eggs, bacon, sausage, melon and homemade raisin bread. I drank several liters of water as well because I did not know what to expect from the water sources. I knew that there would be plenty of water, just not sure what all would be in it or what color it would be. We heard this morning that three local bridges had been washed away Sunday afternoon. Of course, I am thinking about the trail condition as well. Cindy and Jerry had offered to drive me to the trail head, which was out of their way, but very much appreciated. We drove up ME 17, pass the point where the AT intersected but did not see any blue blazes. After turning around, we spotted the blue blaze, about 0.5 miles from the AT. I thanked Cindy and Jerry, because they had saved me considerable time and energy driving me directly to the trail head. They were going back on the island and spend the balance of the week there. I headed into the woods, following the blue blazes at 8:36am. The trail was actually very well marked but the trail itself was a disaster. There was 3-4 inches of water on the trail; I just did the best I could. While I had fretted and lost sleep about crossing Bemis stream, God made it a non-issue. I found the bridge and walked across the roaring stream below me. There is no way I could have forded that stream today. The blue blaze probably took me an extra mile to get to the AT, but it was well worth the time and energy. The day was extremely slow, every depression was holding water. Every incline and decline had water running rushing down it. Based on my guidebook, I was covering less than 1 MPH, but I was moving and making some progress. I only passed three north bounders today; they said everyone was taking a zero day in Andover. According to my map, I do have to ford several small streams tomorrow, so that will be interesting to see how small they are. It was really interesting to be climbing up and over granite boulders and hearing underground streams beneath the rocks. It was like hearing a busted water pipe inside a wall, you can't see it but you can hear it. I stopped at 6:00pm just north of Old Blue Mountain. I did not want to traverse that mountain in the dark as I had been told it was difficult. I found a wide spot in the trail, relatively dry and pitched my tent. I did call Cindy and Jerry and told them that I had gotten across the stream and thanked them again for the ride and their prayers. I only covered 8.8 miles today, bring my total to 1,362.9 miles with 818.1 miles remaining.