Date: 2007-08-13
From: Barren Mountain, ME

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: scattered clouds

18.2 miles todayHouseMonson, MEI woke up at 5am and it was sprinkling rain. I woke up a few times to light rain overnight too.I ate 1 1/2 penut butter and jelly sandwiches and had my last 12 ounce can of Coke for breakfast.I didn't want to put on the soaking wet pants and shirt this morning, but I did and as always, it wasn't too bad because my body warmed them up quickly.I packed up a wet tent and started walking by 6am.I was at the summit of Barren Mountain, so I started out walking today going downhill.It was a beautiful morning for the views I could see. The clouds kept bringing light rain, but they were high enough that I could see the ponds and mountains below me.I walked by Long Pond Stream Lean-to without stopping and forded Long Pond Stream when I got to it.I ran into Wild Child'99 and 2 friends that also hiked that year along with Von Moose, all camped by Long Pond Stream.I gave Von Moose the bandages from Second Wind, then walked on.It wasn't too long before Von Moose and Wild Child'99 passed me. I guess I'm really slowing down in my old age. ;-))I also ran into 2 nobos by the names of Wing Pants and Long Tall.It was another humid day and I was trying to drink enough to stay hydrated.The light rain finally stopped for good and about half way through the day, the leaves dried up so they weren't getting me soaked.I walked by Wilson Valley Lean-to without stopping. I saw Von Moose and Wild Child'99 over there, but I had Flatlander's Broasted Chicken on my mind for when I got out of the woods a little later on, so I kept walking. :-))I ran into another nobo by the name of Rangoon and talked for a few minutes.I got to Big Wilson Stream which is usually a ford, but I was able to rock hop that, then I did the same thing at Little Wilson Stream.They were both high water fords last year, but I didn't even get my shoes wet this year.I climbed up to Little Wilson Falls and took a short break there.I came to 3 nobos laying down by a small stream. Their names were Five String, Trail Dog and Woodstock.We all talked for a while, then I remembered Flatlander's Broasted Chicken and walked on. :-))I got to Leeman Brook Lean-to and saw 2 full sized bed pillows hanging up to dry. There wasn't any chance of anything drying out today and at first I thought to myself...ha!!...who in their right mind would carry a full sized pillow into the woods.The more I thought about it, the more I thought...hummm, I'll bet that's pure comfort at night. It would be much less lumpy than a food bag. :-))I finished walking the next 3 miles out to Rt 15. It got exciting as I started hearing traffic because I figured broasted chicken wouldn't be far off now. :-))I started hitching towards Greenville, but couldn't get a ride. A couple guys in a pickup stopped to see if I needed a ride into Monson.It was the other way, but since I couldn't get a ride to Greenville, I took it.I walked to Shaw's and called Frogcaller. She said that her and Lew would come pick me up and take me to their home for the night.When they showed up, Lew said he had already stopped by and ordered some broasted chicken to go, so I could eat dinner with them.How did he know I wanted broasted chicken for dinner?? :-))It was great to see Frogcaller and Lew again.We stayed up too late talking after having some ice cream pie.Another great day on the Appalachian Trail. :-))