Date: 2004-09-13
From: Bald Mt Brook Lean-to

To: Shaw's Lodging, Monson, ME
Miles today: 18.7
Weather: broken clouds

The mileage counter says 18.7. That's how many AT miles I walked today. But I guarantee I walked 20 today.It was a long day, it has been a long trip, the rest and relaxation of my last zero day was almost a week in the past, and I am getting weary. Oddly enough, it did not help that the day was almost entirely level, punctuated near the beginning of the day with a small bump up fog-covered Moxie Bald, as the trail was slick and mud-covered. I think when I'm going uphill, the adrenaline and endorphins really kick in and push me forward, making me forget my tiredness. No such thing happens on level ground, and you just get weary.I got my moose-sighting today, but no trail-magic that I had heard rumor of. This was not my first moose (I've seen them on Isle Royale and a bull in Colorado), but it was my first AT moose, so that was cool. I have now seen a bear (still only one bear, can you believe it?) and a moose, along with a bobcat, a rattlesnake, and other critters. Ran into Hawk today. Man that guy can fly now! Not like the Hawk of old. Maybe he was holding back. His wife has been slack-packing him for the last several days now, that probably helps.Just when I thought the day would never end, I came to Lake Hebron and the blue-blazed side-trail. Yippee! I'm minutes away from the road and a hitch into town! Not so fast, partner. Just before the road, I took a wrong turn down a snowmobile path, and walked for probably 2 miles before running into a country road. Frustration was running high. By the time I decided I was defineitely on the wrong path, I had gone probably a mile and figured I might as well keep on going and I'll find a road into town, or maybe run into town. No such luck.I turned right onto the country road, and came to a house, hoping to ask for directions. I walked into the yard shouting "hello?". No answer. I wonder if any other hikers have made the same mistake as I and come out at these people's houses. Probably not. Only I could take such a majestically wrong turn. I take that back. Slowpoke could do that, and worse, because he has.Anyway, I kept walking and found the highway into Monson. Not knowing whether to go left or right, I flagged down a truck turning off the highway and heading down the country road. He told me to go right, and if I was still there when he came back through, he'd give me a ride to Monson. Eventually, his ride was not necessary, as a kind lady stopped to pick me up. We went over the hill, and as soon as we crested the top, Monson was there just a few hundred yards away. I stood there at the road crossing for probably 45 minutes waiting for a ride to pick me up, and after all I had been through, I could have walked there in 5 minutes! I had no idea how close I was. I could not help but laugh at the situation. Sorta like the Everest climbers dying within several yards of their basecamp (but not that extreme). I got to Shaw's after everyone else had dinner. There was still plenty left, though. Keith Shaw sat at the table and poured me milk, and made it his occupation to make sure I did not go away from the table wanting. The Shaw's are a kindly old couple, loved by thousands of thru-hikers who have passed through over the years. The business is in their son's name, but they are the heart and soul of the boarding house.(note: as of this writing, Keith Shaw has been passed away for quite some time, and the business is up for sale. I hope someone buys it and continues the tradition, and honors his memory. Rest In Peace, Mr Shaw)My last (hopefully) frightfully long day behind me, I settle down in my tent, opting for the cheaper and quieter option of sleeping outside. Tomorrow I gear up for the last leg before Big K: the 100-mile wilderness.