Date: 2005-09-21
From: Pleasant Pond Lean To

To: Moxie Bald Lean To
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: broken clouds

start Pleasent Pond Lean Todestination Moxie Bald Lean Tomiles 13.5 I heard Africa rummaging around in his food bag and knew it was time to getup.Since we were out of water,we packed up and went to the shelter to fixbreakfast.I had used a Sweetwater filter for my hke in 2003 and even though attimes it sounded like a squealing puppy,it would still work.Last year it finallystarted cracking around the top and when I called the company they sent me abrand new one. Sometimes new and improved just isn't any better than oldreliable.That filter was ten years old.The new one which had it's first use thisyear did not last two weeks on the trail.It has steadiely gotten worse.Now thereis more water coming out of the top than there is going in the bottle.Oreo Angeleven sent me anew filter cartridge but that didn't help.I have a new filterwaiting for me in Monson,compliments of Sweetwater. i sure hope it worksbetter.This is getting to be a real pain,trying to filter enough water for useveryday.This morning I just boil the stream water on my ! stove and make us a hot drink.I had found some kind of rice dish in the hikerbox last week.It had dates and walnuts in it with some dry milk.I fixed it forPapermaker since he loves rice.I ate a bowl of Grapenuts with dry milk added toit. I know the last few days have been a challenge for Africa.He is used togetting up and out of camp reasonably early.Papermaker and I are just used togetting up,forget anthing reasonable. I knew I had two more mountains to climb before I finished the trail.I justdidn't know they would both come today. Neither one of them were espeiallyhigh.Pleasent Pond Mountain is a mere 2480 ft. It was tough,but only because ofthe rocks and mud and the fact that it was a mile straight up first thing in themorning.Then right after Pleasent Pond Mountain came Moxie Bald.At 2629 ft.itwas quite daunting.It was completely bald on top,in fact there were several baldspaces at the summit.The wind was blowing so hard that at times it was hard tostand upright. There was a blue blaze trail in case of inclement weather,but wechose to stay on the straight and narrow.With just an hour before dark we hikedinto Moxie Bald Lean To.Set along the banks of Moxie Pond the tent sites werefar from level but the views were beautiful.There were a pair of loons on thepond and they entertained us off and on well into the night.A pack of coyotessang in the background. Today was the day fo! r terrible meals.I had picked a prize Hairy Tooth Mushroom early in the day andwas carrying it carefully in my pot to avoid smashing it.My intentions were tocook it and add it to some Cheddar Potatoe Soup. It was a most horrible meal. Itried to add some instant potatoes to improve the flavor,but that did nothelp.As I started to pitch mine into the woods Africa said he wanted to tasteit.He seemed to think it was pretty tasty.Papermaker ate his ,not complainingbecause according to him he was starved.I sent Papermaker back to the pond forwater and fixed us soe instant potatoes.I was determined to eat something thattasted good. The last three Oreo Cookies tasted wonderful! I have yet to decidewhether to stop at Monson and call this hike over.All the stars would have toline up for me to hike the last 32 miles of the hundred mile wilderness,but thenwe will see.For now,I will just enjoy the remaining days out here. Bumpkin                           5 Million Steps for Polio