Date: 2008-10-01
From: East Branch Lean-To

To: Jo-Mary Rd
Miles today: 12.0

There was no surprise when I woke up, that I had slept so well.I didn't want to leave, it felt so good being here. Once I was packed up and ready to go, I stood out front looking around and back at the shelter. I was taking it in for one last time. I couldn't help but think that soon this place will be covered in snow for several months and will lie dormant throughout the winter, until next years hikers discover it and bring it back to life. I may very well be the last person to stay here this year or at the very least, one of the last? I remembered that today is October 1st. I was originally suppose to be back to work today and it was 6 months ago today, that I walked through the Arch of the Approach Trail at Amicalola Falls. Where has the time gone so quickly?My destination is to meet up with Sprite & Freckles at Jo-Mary Road. This is the rendezvous point to collect our food drop. Since it is only 12 miles away there is no real particular hurry.I stopped for lunch at Cooper Brook Falls Lean-To, I ran into the New Hampshire Boys once again, and soon Peregrin, Sprite and Freckles arrived.Sprite had a pack full of trail magic and was handing out beer, cokes, Little Debbies and Mounds.Here as well, I met "Uncle Tom". He did his thru-hike last year and was just out for a few days enjoying some more. He had taken a float plane from Millinocket to Crawford Pond. I may be wrong, but I got the impression he had found something special out here last year and wasn't ready to leave it, so has come back. I can certainly understand why. "Love Boat" had just left moments before and missed out on the trail magic. Four miles later the trail crossed Jo-Mary Rd. which was nothing more than a small graveled back road in the middle of no where. We stood by the wooden plank bridge that crossed the creek next to the trail.Peregrin who had been several minutes ahead of us, bee-bopped right on past here, jamming to her tunes and oblivious in recognizing this spot as her shuttle pick up point, to take her back to Shaws in Monson. Soon a guy named Keith drove up and delivered our boxes of food we had mailed ahead back in Rangeley. We spoke for a while, then he left as another vehicle arrived. For a remote place 30 or more miles from anywhere, it sure seemed busy?This time it was "Buddy" a likeable guy who does shuttles and all kinds of things for people. He has been driving the shuttle for the girls. Two hours had passed before Peregrin returned after realizing she had gone too far?We tried not to tease her too much, fortunately she was a good sport.Sprite is going back for one last night, Freckles is staying, so we found a place nearby to make camp. The woods were quiet again, with only the NH Boys and 1 or 2 others passing by. I had been sitting on a big rock by the stream writing in my journal. It began to sprinkle enough that I moved and layed just under my rainfly with my feet sticking out to finish writing.After a while I got alittle bored waiting for nightfall. I began to walk the trail back to the road, just to throw rocks in the stream or find something of interest? When reaching the road a hiker emerged from the trail and introduced himself as "Stumpknocker".I instantly recognized the name as I have previously read his journals.We spoke briefly, he told me that today was his 10th month anniversary of being on the trail this year. How charmed is that? I was glad I got to meet him, I would have liked to have hiked with him for awhile.I also learned of some hikers that I knew, who had called it quits from Monsonand left the trail. It must have been pretty important or real serious to stop short with only 110 miles reamining after already hiking 2,061 miles. All I can do is wish them well and hope everything works out favorably?I am still wondering as to whether or not I should have gone swimming earlier? I passed this great spot to splash around in, I know it sounds crazy, but I have swam in Canada in Lake Huron in mid-October before, and it was much colder than this was. Had I known we weren't going to push on, I think I would have for sure? Would have, Could have, Should have- Oh well?The rain has come back, so in my tent I go for the night