Date: 2014-09-02
From: Rattlesnake river shelter

To: Trident Col Campsite
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: overcast clouds

In which the town of Gorham was crawling with familiar faces.I passed out last nite when I hit my bed at least for a few hours until I heard the chipmunks and squirrels running in and around my tent. I did manage to doze back off to sleep amazingly. I enjoyed my slow morning and got a late start around 0845. There were only two miles to the road crossing and I got there around 0930 to find Walk About and my parents hanging out. So we all drove in to Gorham, dropped off Walk About at the hostel and we went to Walmart. This morning I was getting water from the river and my plastic O ring on my filter fell off and went floating away. Uh Oh. Good timing though as I was headed in to town for a resupply. My Sawyer mini had made it 1800+ miles without incident so not bad. As luck would have it I got the last filter that Walmart had, this time not the mini and boy does it filter fast!Next stop was a caf© for food then we sat at a picnic table in the park to repack food. While doing so many hikers passed by, some I hadn't seen in a while. Town always sucks people in and it was good to see everyone. Mystic Pony and Mason came by. I also caught back up with Messy and Lost Boy. Awesome. I was passed by four hikers slackpacking yesterday and they were here. Also Bliss was in the caf©, hadn't seen her since VT. Later Princess Northstar passed me and I hadn't seen him since that stormy night at the Graymoor.I made it back on the trail by noon and once again another climb awaited. This time up granite rock faces. The first climb very intense. I wasn't sure I was going to make it up, but I did. This is a new twist in the terrain. The trees were very still, the sun in and out of the clouds. The heat and humidity stifling and oppressive. I was dripping wet, constantly thirsty and devoured my water. I came to a creek and found Northstar and Walk About there. We all filtered water, cameled up and continued onward.There were a lot of ups and downs. Some rather steep rocks climbs one upon which I busted up my knee pretty good using it for leverage to hoist myself up the rock face. That was a little intense again. It was another "don't look down" climb. I planned on going to Gentian Shelter tonight however, today was a little more slow going than I expected. I knew if I hadn't made it to the camping area by 1530 I was not going to be able to make. Couple that with the dark clouds above and a few more steep climbs with my knees screaming at me I aborted to Plan B. I didn't even get to the camping area until 1600. I've had enough fun for one day.So instead of being anxious about the weather and making it to camp before dark I stayed at the camping area and had a lovely night. Walk About and I set up in a little clearing nestled in the pines. I had moose poop all around my tent. I hope they don't come walking through in the middle of the night. We will all get a surprise!Next in was Mystic Pony and Mason followed by Bliss. Lost Boy and Messy were headed out to push on a little further, bummer. I cooked dinner after filtering water and enjoyed sitting around our grassy little patch of earth while running my naked feet through the cool, green grass. That was delightful.The dark clouds rolled out and were replaced by a beautiful blue sky littered with cotton candy like clouds. There is a half moon out shining brightly already. I can still hear the din of cars from the valley below. There are birds flying overhead and earlier I heard a bird that sounded like a xylophone. I have yet to identify that one but it was pretty. Fat cheeked chipmunks are scurrying about looking for a handout. They were very entertaining to watch as I ate my food.It's now 1945 and I am tucked away in my bed on this eve before hiking into Maine. I'm so excited for that! One last state to go! My favorite one at that. The southern part is gonna kick my ass, so I'm told. I can feel it too. But I conquered The Whites so I know I'll get through Maine. Tonight I am one day closer to Kathadin and crossing the 1900 mile marker. My body is feeling really tired, heavy and lethargic. I'm happy to be in my tent nestled in my bed with a full belly and a bunch of gratitude for where I am. This adventure will be over before I know it.