Date: 2016-07-18
From: Katahdin

To: Rainbow lake campsite
Miles today: 17.8

It was a very up and down day today. It started out with a spectacular nine mile hike out of Baxter Park. The trail followed a large swift moving stream that was just picture perfect to look at. The trail itself was beautiful. I am loving all the hemlock and green moss everywhere and it all smells amazing. I was getting tired before I finished those nine miles so I found a nice grassy spot next to the river and took a nap while laying on my Tyvek ground sheet. It was so relaxing. I am still breaking in my new boots so my feet were feeling fatigued all day, but in a good normal way. They seem to be doing a good job supporting my feet, which is critical. After my nap I made my way all the way out of the park to the Abol Campground. They served food there so I ordered a burger and fries and then had an awesome blackberry vanilla swirl with dark chocolate chuck ice cream cone. It was so freaking good. After lunch I crossed Abol bridge and entered the 100 mile wilderness. I took my time hiking all day and stopped at several Rapids and Falls. During the afternoon it rained for and hour or so, but like yesterday, I did not get soaked through. I am looking forward to some sunny days. It has been good hiking weather though. I was expecting the bugs to be really bad up here, but apparently the black fly season is over and the mosquitos have not been bad at all yesterday or today. I am not sure what to make of it. I sure as heck am not complaining that is for sure, especially when I hear how bad the hikers are having it down in Massachusetts and Connecticut right now with the bugs and humidity. My mood kind of soured during the afternoon with the rain and with my feet and legs hurting. All those days I took off made it so basically I am starting with non hiking legs. I could feel hot spots in my feet and toes so I kept stoping and resting. I do not want any blisters. I can not wait until these boot are broken in. My energy level was way down also, which was discouraging. I was planning on stopping for the day at the first shelter 13 miles in. However thunder in the area had me picking up my pace and I arrived there at 3:00pm. It was a small older shelter in a very dark forest. No one was there and I did not like it. I took a break there and decided to hike five more miles to a lake that was listed on my guide book. It was a very slow pace and I was not very comfortable but in the end it was totally worth it. I arrived at the lake a little after 6:00pm. I found three people at a campsite right on the lake. There was plenty of room so I set my tent up and stay there. The other hikers here are Annie and Ted, who are together and from Pennsylvania and Chris. She is from Wisconsin. She is hiking southbound while Ted and Annie are sectioning northbound. All super nice. I chatted with Chris for a long time before I decided it was time for my first AT swim and boy was it awesome. The name of this lake is Rainbow Lake and it is huge and incredibly beautiful and I am tenting right on its shore. It is amazing. I ended up hiking over 18 miles today. Tomorrow I will make up for it and do less miles. It is a nice summer Maine night and I can hear the water as it gently hits the shoreline. This is the best spot ever.