Date: 2005-09-19
From: Mahar Tote Rd./ White House Landing

To: Rainbow Stream Lean-To
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: broken clouds

I awoke around 5 to go use the bathroom and upon walking outside, was greeted with an amazing sunrise over the lake on one side and the setting moon on the other side. It was tough to get moving today and I think a combination of things contributed to that fact. First of all, I had to get up 4 times in the night to use the bathroom, then we had a wonderful breakfast made by the nice folks at White House Landing: bacon, eggs, english muffins, and ayce blueberry pancakes. After putting away all of the first 3 items, I ate about 8 pancakes (Bug ate 7). Teams Hairbunny and T-Drop arrived during breakfast and I think were a bit disappointed at not being able to eat breakfast (they had gotten up bright and early to get there from Potaywadjo Spring Lean-To). We debated whether to stay with them there at the Landing for the morning or whether to hike on, and we decided to hike on and wait for them at Abol Bridge. We are pretty whooped after the 22 yesterday, and don't care to pull a 23 tomorrow. They planned to stay the morning and gorge themselves on 1 lb. burgers and Ben and Jerry's.The owner drove us in his boat back to the trail and we started the day's hike. One tenth of a mile in we had our ford of the day, but luckily the water was low enough that we were able to rockstep our way across. There was a spot in which it got a little sketchy, but Bug and Sherpa were there to help us get across! The day has been gorgeous, with wonderful views, lovely forests, and decent terrain. Unfortunately it wasn't as smooth as yesterday's hike, but it has been much better than other things we have done. After a brief lunch at Wadleigh Stream Lean-To we hiked to the top of Nesuntabunt Mountain where we were told there were great views of Katahdin. We were able to see her base, but she is mysterious and remained shrouded in the clouds. After sitting for quite some time, waiting to no avail, we kept walking to finish the remaining 5 miles of our day. I have pondered our impending summit and wondered how I would feel this close to the end. Somehow my feelings are not what I had imagined them to be. I think I expected some cheesy scene like spotting Katahdin for the first time and having her surrounded by a halo of light with angelic music playing in the background. No, not really, but I did think it would be a bit more magical than how I feel now. Bug wants so badly to be there that he can taste it almost, whereas I would like to be there, but only feel rushed because I miss home (or rather family, friends, and of course Petey & Pima). This has been an incredible journey and I am sad for it to be ending in some ways. We have met so many wonderful people from all walks of life and from all places. There has certainly been a certain freedom that we gained by choosing to live this way for the past 6 months and now it is time to give that up for certain luxuries that we so miss back in the "other world". I will continue this journal for the next couple of weeks after our summit to record the ups and downs of our readjustment period back into society for those who are interested. Just 3 short days (weather permitting) until this journey ends and the next one begins. We are joined tonight by Pumpkin, Sherpa, the 'Brits', Papa Razzi, Beartracks, and Fig & Just Visiting and I wonder if we will all summit the same day.