Date: 2023-07-23
From: Bald Brook Mountain Lean To

To: Horseshoe Canyon Lean To 
Miles today: 13.02

Got the earliest start out of the shelter that we may have ever had. Bambi and Bear Bait had just woken, the difference between youth and age.  Bear Bait said he slept better than he had previously in a shelter.  He said, " You know what to expect when you chose to share with two old guys!  Why the nerve of him! Lol. We started a climb and I was just flat out struggling.  Not in a good mood at all.  Recon said he had a great sleep and was ready.  Good thing I thought.  Needed him to balance me out.  We hike through "The Cave", a short but cool rock feature.  We had views of the pond below and mountains in the distance that I should have appreciated more, but the climb, which was much shorter and easier than yesterday.  What a day makes. Finally, we hit rock slab signifying the Summit is just ahead.  I started to see the sun shining over cairns that shown around Recon hiking ahead!  When we got close to the top, there were packs and people from the camping area below last night, sitting and watching the finish of a sunrise. Recon chatted with them a little later on, which was cool to witness. I decide to put an ear bud in and listen to music to keep my bad mood to myself. As we walked up to the Moxie Bald Sign, the first song was The Old Rugged Cross!  While taking in the 360 degree view, Carrie Underwood sang, How Great Thou Art!  Right then and there, I had the best Sunday Sermon in quite awhile.  Recon stated he didn't want to leave and I was in agreement.  But leave we must, yet the Service continued a little more down the hill until we dropped far enough to leave the slate Rock. However, my attitude had been changed.  Once we got down, the path was smooth and we  hiked at a good pace until hunger kicked in right at the Bald Stream crossing even though it was just a little past 10:30 we decided on Sunday Brunch in the sun on the rocks watching others cross the calf deep stream. Finished eating and packed, soon it was our turn. A little easier than yesterday's 1st crossing. A stream is always I. A depression, so you go down and then back up.  On the next down hill I had Fall Number Two. Wet left foot on a long downhill root, with my right in stride and no way to stop the slide, until sitting on my butt and pack. Luckily not brain injury!  Picked myself up continued on to catch Recon. I think he slows up the pace for me, at times. Much appreciated and such a humble man in the way he thinks about people and issues in life. Mid afternoon we hit the 3rd River crossing, second of the day.  This was one that had swept people away, a week ago and was chest high, 4x what it should be. There was a 7+ mile work around and a choice to hike into Buchannon and road walk all the way to Monson from there.  Early on we were told about this being a good choice.  But recent SoBo's and Kelly from yesterday convinced us that they were all doable, and the two earlier had worked out well. We prepped by putting away phones and Fanny backs, while also unbuckling our pack straps. Recon led the way and talked me through it, stressing three points of contact with poles and one solid foot. Down stream a little then back up against the current sideways and across to an island that cut the flow into two upstream.  Taking a break on island land and then back into the upper thigh water to finish the Crossing. The water was warm and letting back on it with Recons instruction, it was a cool experience.  We hiked up and over, following the W Branch Piscataquis River to our right all the way to the canyon below.  When I started the late afternoon drag, Recon stopped and pointed to the other side of the Canyon too a beautiful Waterfall tumbling and flowing down to the River below. A mile from camp we both listen to music to get us home, cutting our hike short.  Nothing to gain, because it will be a quick 7 mile Nero into Monson tomorrow.  There is still the E. Branch of the River to cross as well.  We pulled in and set up camp next to the family of six that we chatted with at Sterling Inn. Hopeful made us afternoon Coffee as we shared some more stories. The. Recon and I headed down to the river for a dip. Of course Recon went all in, while I just soaked mud thighs. The biting horseflies chanced me away and probably cut Recons swim short. Then up back up to filter water from an upper small Brook for the night.  We were invited to share dinner at the shelter with our Michigan to Virginia new found family.  They are Thru Hikers, Hostel Owners and very familiar with the Appalachian Trail. It was an awesome time of fellowship that included the youngest to Recon, the Oldest!  The family is a well rubbed machine with everyone pitching in and great attitudes all around. The oldest is a sixteen year old that just learned to drive. Unusual to see a teenage flow from adults down to her siblings and never miss a beat.  The oldest son has a Warbonnet Hammock that he bought and outfitted himself.  He has learned all the knots in order to get an awesome hang.  Soon  enough Hopeful gave the command to brush teeth and we were on our way to our hammocks and tent. Recon said it was one of the best days on trail ever and I wholeheartedly agree.