Date: 2009-09-17
From: Ford of West Branch of Piscataquis

To: Bald Mountain Brook Leanto
Miles today: 11.9

It was cold last night but I slept wonderfully. I pulled my down jacket into my bag and drapped it over my hips, pulled the cord to close the top of the bag so that just my nose and eyes were out and I slept cozy and soundly. I got up once to water the bushes but that was it. I actually slept the best I have while on the trail. I got up a bit late at 6 but was on the trail by 7:30. Not too bad. The trail was wonderful for the first mile and a half or so. I have not seen such a level and smooth trail in Maine before. Nice. Today I saw some metallic blue berries several places. I wonder what they are. I see red bunch berries often and I have seen Jack in the pulpit which turns to a cluster of red berries. These metallic blue ones are new today, though. I met Tiger from Alabama, age 67, Gator from Florida, age 65, and a bit later Hot Chocolate, a strong young dude with a very small pack. Later on I met Rufio, a young Asian who said he was late because he enjoyed a morning fire. Duckman and Dragon Breath came along and then Rookie and Dioko. Dioko said he had followed some of my PCT journal. Monkey Wrench passed by just before I stopped for lunch at Moxie Bald Leanto. Liefy and Scratch were also having lunch there. The lake was very pretty by the shelter. It would have been a nice shelter at which to camp but it was only lunch time. So I packed up and headed out. The Hiking Poles, a young couple from Poland passed me and then Stud the Dud, and Kiwi. I had met Kiwi's Dad somewhere early on so said hello to her from her Dad. Just a short while later it occurred to me that I had one glove in one pocket from my cold early morning start but I had no glove in the other pocket. Oh no! And I had been so good about not loosing anything. I had not really gone that far from the shelter and thought it might be there so I dumped the pack beside the trail and hurried down the trail back to the shelter. Stud the Dud and Kiwi were eating lunch there but there was no glove. Stud took my name and where I would be in Rangely and said they would bounce it to me if they found it. It is probably gone for good. Drat! They were nice gloves too. My right hand will be very unhappy the next cold morning. Maybe I can use a sock. I got back to my pack. Now that was a wasted half hour. Onward I went up the mountain. I think I like uphill best. I just went slowly and steadily up. Star Trek passed me not far from the top and said it would open up on top pretty soon. Wow! was he right. The view from Moxie Bald was absolutely magnificent! The best yet. Worries about a lost glove or sore heels and crummy knees are only minor annoyances in comparison to the landscape stretched out before me. Rugged ranges to the west give promise (or threat, depending on your attitude) of the grandeur to come. Lakes with their irregular outlines and treed islands stretch out on either side. Beautiful! Beautiful! Even if I am an old lady who moves at roughly the speed of molasses, here I am just another hiker drinking in the view and being so glad and happy to be here and experience this beauty. Thank you, God!!! Alabama Gritz had said he really liked Moxie Bald. I totally agree. I tried to send my grandson, William, a Happy Birthday text message and one for his mother too but nothing would send though there were plenty of bars showing. Sorry, William. Grandma hopes you had a Happy Birthday and the lime cake you ordered turned out wonderfully. I ate a trail bar and changed things in my shoes as my right heel is still giving me problems and it would be worse going downhill. Now my left shoe has one Dr Scholl's gel insert. My right shoe has one Dr Scholl's gel insert plus TWO gel heel cups. I am cushioning that heel as much as I can. Pretty ridiculous! But my heel appreciated it. Pellet arrived on top just as I left. Down, down, down I went. The heel was doing OK with my funny arrangement. I met a young tru hiker who said the shelter was about 15 minutes away. I have to laugh. He has no idea how slowly I move. Any estimate by a thru hiker I just double and that might be something close to reality. I passed Bones before I got to the shelter. I got there about 5:15. Much better than getting in after 7. Two Lions, Cage, and Bison were at the shelter but Two Lions and Cage moved on up the trail. I had read Bison's journal so felt like I knew him. While he was gathering firewood I got cleaned up a bit, got water and got into my long johns. In Deep, Boshag, Lunchbox, Magic and Doc all also came to the shelter, some camping nearby. Lunchbox built a nice fire; building fires seems to be his specialty. He took artistic care building his teepee. Doc came in last. He hiked the PCT last year and we talked trail talk for a while. It is nice not to have to do everything in the dark. It is cheery to see the fire in front of the shelter. I am ready for sleep. Life is good.