Date: 2018-09-04
From: Stealth site at Crescent Pond mile 2155.8

To: Abol Bridge
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: few clouds

I wish I had slept well but despite my efforts it was a restless night for most hours. The sunlight came up over the hill and filtered thru the trees waking me around 6:15 and I had mixed feelings about needing to get up and wanting more sleep. With the need to hike 19 miles today to Abol Bridge I decided to get up. The lure of a bunk, burger and a cold beer was too much so I dressed and packed up. I felt really accomplished and proud, having gotten a few hours of sleep and waking up knowing that I'd chosen a safe site among the standing deadwood that the rising winds didn't impact. The feeling was invigorating actually and I smiled and hauled my pack down to the rock by the pond. It was stunning in the golden morning light and I smiled again. I washed my face and boiled some water after getting my bear bag down from the tree. Another success. Today is going to be a great day and I will get a view of Katahdin from the famed Abol Bridge. I'm almost there and I feel alive! I enjoyed my blueberry oatmeal and coffee while thinking about that and looking out over the pond, wishing I could share this moment with Brian but he's not here and there's no cell service. Just as I was getting ready to swing my pack on Galaxy and Songbird arrived and we all hiked out together. They found a spot to hammock about a half mile back, near the canoe launch. We all surmised that River made it to Rainbow Stream Lean To because we didn't see her at Pollywog Stream where there we some other campsites, some still occupied or at the lean to where we bumped into Dr Who, who camped at Pollywog and confirmed she wasn't there. We continued to Rainbow Ledges where I check my cell and had service for the first time in days, but just a bar. I called Brian for a brief conversation but the service failed after a couple of minutes and we were disconnected. It's the wilderness after all. Galaxy and Songbird passed by and continued on but I caught up to them about .2 up the way where they were stopped talking to a couple who hiked Katahdin yesterday. Behind them....my first close view of the beauty herself. My first thought was how huge she is and I say " I change my mind, I'm not climbing that!" but of course I was kidding. I was just taken back by her size. The Ledges were really the only climb today and a gradual incline that we all appreciated. We stopped at Rainbow Lake for lunch. It was a rocky shore line and we enjoyed some shade and nice rocks for sitting while we were mesmerized by the view. I couldn't think of a better lunch spot it was just so peaceful and relaxing. But after 45 minutes or so it was time to continue on. We'd done 10 miles by noon and we had 9 more to go so I filled up my water and headed out while Galaxy and Songbird were packing up. I stopped at Hurd Brook Lean To 5 miles later where they caught up and had a snack. When I arrived at the dirt road I took a right. Logging trucks and cars produced a cloud of dust and I felt like I should walk with my eyes closed. It was distracting and I forgot about the significance of the bridge I was now standing on. Abol Bridge. I saw the campground and the river and I thought as I looked at the water left and right about whether or not I should take a photo. And I looked up the river and saw her. Katahdin. Perfectly lit by the 5:45 lowering sunlight and absolutely picture perfect. Emotion welled within me and I let it out. I can't believe I'm here. Finally. Over 1,200 miles of walking. I took some photos and crossed the rest of the bridge to the Abol store where I found River in the dining room to no surprise. She was at a table with Katherine who she'd met at Rainbow Stream lean to last night and woken up as she hiked in by headlamp and also Dr Who. They'd all eaten and River had ordered round 2. She informed me they close at 7pm so I got the waitress and ordered a beer and burger, both delicious. Galaxy and Songbird arrived within minutes. After food and conversation we went to the bunkhouse that River had paid for and gifted spaces to all of us for the night. Very kind and very appreciated. We all got showers and turned in for the night, clean for a little while anyway. The bunks are metal and they make lots of noise when you move, so the 5 of us had a symphony going for a while. Tomorrow there's a breakfast included with the stay and then we'll enter into Baxter State Park and hike 10 miles to Katahdin Stream Campground where we'll meet Brian. I'm excited and I'm also anxious because he wants to climb Katahdin with us and that is a huge undertaking that I hope he isn't underestimating.