Date: 2016-08-05
From: Stealth Camping Spot south of Rattle River Shelter

To: Stealth Camping Spot near Page Pond
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: clear sky

Aug 5, 2016 - As a reward for our hard work yesterday, Peach and I planned on heading back into Gorham, NH for some breakfast food. I was hoping it would cure some of the aches and pains coursing through the battered body the Whites had left me with. So, at Guldie's, I ordered the following: 2 scrambled eggs with American cheese, hash browns, 1 English muffin, 1 buttered bagel, 1 kielbasa, and 1 giant pancake (this thing was about 14 inches in diameter and substituted nicely for a standard short stack of pancakes). The waitress gave her usual warning that it was a lot of food.It went in one ear and out the other - she was left flabbergasted when she collected my plates with only half an English muffin remaining. Peach had to resupply, so I took a seat in the park and waited patiently. I ran into Lucky and Lolly, who determined that they would not finished their section hike at Katahdin before being called back to teach at school. I also saw Longcloud, who was staying at the local hostel. On top of the 2 easy miles I walked to the road this morning, I had 8 left on our short day. However, 7 of those remaining miles were uphill on a relatively humid day not to mention the fact that my legs were screaming with every step. I also can't rid myself of the cold I acquired on my last zero so every few hundred yards, I cough up some phlegm or blow my nose on the ground. It screws with my breathing as I ascend and that's why it bothers me. Well, I made it to Page Pond, but I crawled the entire way, stopping every few hundred yards to catch my breath and quench the fire coursing through my limbs. Even my upper body was sore from yesterday, though that's not saying much since I can barely do 20 push ups nowadays. On the bright side, I now have less than 300 miles remaining in my trip!Being a huge hockey fan, I like to think of this hike as my own Stanley Cup seeing as I'll never actually win the real one. When I watch playoff hockey, the game reaches a climax of fervor and excitement when the Stanley Cup is in the building. Knowing the cup is within reach just sets everyone on edge. Players and fans alike want nothing more than to reach the end of the game and see the Stanley Cup presented in all its glory. But, once the cup is revealed, then it's over and the long wait for next season begins. Well, I don't have a next season and I've always wanted the playoffs to last as long as humanly possible (with the exception of that game when the cup is in the building). So, rather than run to Katahdin, I am going to enjoy the hell out of these last three weeks. I'll get my Stanley Cup, but, honestly, it's all about the playoffs right now. Once I set up in a stealth spot near Page Pond, I sat on a rock on the edge with Peach and cooked some dinner over the fire. I wanted to try my fishing setup tonight, but the pond was bursting with lily pads, which would have entangled the fishing line. There will be plenty more lakes - if I catch just 1 fish and eat it for dinner, carrying all the gear for 2 states will have been 100% worth it.Still, no signs of moose. Actually, there have been countless moose tracks and piles of scat, but no signs of the actual animal. 10 Stealth Camping Spot near Page Pond