Date: 2013-07-15
From: Stealth Camp by Kennebec River Ferry Crossing

To: West Carry Pond Shelter
Miles today: 14.0

July 15th, day 9. Stealth camp near caratunk to west carry pond lean to. 14 mile day.Bad knees and good trail magic.The day started at a nice slow pace since we didn't need to be at the ferry until 9am. Both woody and I commented on how pleasant the hiking was that way. The ferry crossing was uneventful as we signed our waviers, put on our life jackets, and 2 minutes later we had crossed the mighty kennebec.After reaching the other side the hiking began. I waved goodbye to woody and set off. everything about the day was standard Maine so far. Hot sunny day (we've heard temps have gone above 90 but they honestly haven't felt that bad), the trail was pretty flat with some roots, rocks, and mud, and the water sources were plentiful but mostly nasty. I was making great time, crushing out almost 8 miles in an easy 3 hours, but then disaster struck. The twinge I felt in my knee for the last few miles yesterday came back and like yesterday I just hiked through it, but today after another mile the pain was too much.The ligament on the inside side of my left knee was the problem. whenever my leg was fully extended on either the step forward or pushing off on the end of my trailing leg their was a shooting pain. Time to change my plans a bit. First order of business was food, since it was now going to take an extra half or full day to get into Stratton. If I eat the oatmeal and jar of peanut butter, both of which I have been avoiding like the plague, I should have the calories to get me into Stratton without too much of a deficit. Next thing to figure out was mileage. I could do another 11 today followed by 12 then an easy 6 into Stratton, but the mileage for today was high and the water source for the next night was iffy. much easier would be 6 then 10 then 12 into Stratton. And I know those numbers add up to different things but that's how rounding works.As I set off on the 6 mile trek to the shelter I was able to shorten my stride and slow down to a point where I wasn't extending and locking out my knee with each step. The pain totally went away, and I was able to make a pace close to 2 mph. It'll be interesting to see how that holds up with tomorrows elevation change as we head way up into the mountains, but I won't be speeding up. I want this knee feeling 100 percent heading into the whites.I moseyed into the shelter at about 3 30 after a relatively easy day of hiking. Other hikers started trickling in, including bishop John and Dr evil. Eventually woody showed up, surprised to see me. I guess our 3rd goodbye in Stratton will be the charm. One nobo, last gray, whose name I recognized from trail journals showed up, and not long afterwards some lovely trail magic followed.The shelter is set up right on the lake and it turns out lady gray had some old friends with a place on the lake. Mary Ellen, David, and art made their way across the lake in a pontoon boat, tied up near the shelter and unloaded a whole feast for atleast 10 people. Chicken, pasta salad, salad, garlic bread, cupcakes, cookies, and even a box of franzia. It was amazing. We all thanked them profusely and dug in. It was so good, especially since I was going to have to stretch my food the next few days. It was very pleasant chatting with them about their work (now retired) and their place on the lake.Now with hammocks set up right by the lake shore to enjoy the nice breeze, bear bags hung up because there were a lot of tasty smells nearby earlier, and full bellies life is good. While tomorrow has some big climbs its only 10 miles so we can start late, end early, and take plenty of breaks along the way. Sure, my average mileage is tanking, but shit happens.One thing I did learn today was to double check my knots before sitting in my hammock. I was testing a new, really adjustable knot system woody recommended this morning and only had single hitches on each end during the adjusting process. I got distracted and jumped in and immediately landed butt first on the ground wrapped in the hammock. Oops. After a quick laugh and being quite thankful that I was over soft ground and ground cover I double hitched the knots and this time they held quite nicely.So far in Maine the wildlife has been pretty tame. Some squirrels, snakes (garter and water, which are just small brown spotted snakes), and toads/frogs. I feel bad for the toads, since their ugly and lumpy and super unathletic while the frogs are smooth and sleek and hop around rather gracefully. Woody said the other day he saw a toad having trouble hopping over a twig that can't have been more than a quarter of an inch around. I saw one today and must have surprised it so hard it toppled off the rock it was on (didn't jump, but flopped). Not graceful. Poor toads.today I finally realized part of why I was enjoying Maine so much and why it felt eerily familiar. It reminds me up the upper peninsula in Michigan where I used to visit NY grandparents during the summer. Same heat, climate, weather, trees, shrubs, blueberries, everything. And even though I'm not swimming in the lakes or picking blueberries it just feels warm and comfortable here. Now if only they had ever heard of switchbacks, Maine would be perfect..Last few thoughts, last night my dumb ass let one of my bottles roll down the hill we were on into the kennebec never to be seen again. Dumb. And littering. And now I'm stuck with one liter of carrying capacity the next few days until we hit Stratton, and they are going to be some high dry mountainous hiking days. Also, in Maine they give everything odd names. Shelters are lean-tos, massive lakes are called ponds, and I'm guessing mosquitos are called honey bees or something silly like that. Oh Maine. Not long until I leave you for new Hampshire and the whites.