Date: 2015-08-11
From: Pollywog Stream

To: ABOL Bridge (Golden Rd.)
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: moderate rain

We're learning the system. We wanted a really early start today so that we could try to finish the hike before the scheduled rain (the high probabilities started around 2:00 pm). The Appalachian Trail Restaurant opens at 5:00 am, so we were all ready to hike, and standing at the door 5 min before their scheduled opening time. We looked so hungry that the waitress let us in early. Less than 30 min later we were fed, paid and out the door. Spartacus drove us directly to the gatehouse at Jo Mary Rd. again, we were early, but the gatekeeper let us go through. From there it took us almost an hour on the gravel logging roads to get back to the AT trailheads. Our first stop was to pick up Ranger who camped out last night. We were early, but he was ready. Then we drove on to the starting trailhead at Pollywog Stream. Princess drove Spartacus' truck back. Spartacus took the lead. He's hiking cautiously to be sure not to hurt his knee anymore. Today's terrain was a lot of short ups and downs without any significant climbs or descents. We started out alongside a stream. It wasn't large, but it was beautiful and noisy as it cascaded down - some really large drops and sluices. There really weren't any major highlights today. That's not to say that it wasn't a pretty hike. It seemed to incorporate a lot of what Maine has to offer. Lots of mountain lakes and ponds with beautiful scenery. I tried to capture some of the reflections. We went through sections of pine forests followed by sections of hardwood trees. Some areas seemed to be completely carpeted by lush emerald green moss. We saw lots of fungi, mushrooms of all colors, red, brown, yellow, purple - I even saw some green ones. I think Ranger took photos of many of them. There are still a lot of rocks and roots. We had to do some boulder hopping over streams, but no fords. The trail was dry, fortunately for us. Most of the day was overcast and there seemed to be a constant threat of rain, but it never really materialized while we were hiking. There were a lot of people on the trail today. Many were thru-hikers, but many were just out for the day, or a section. We crossed over an area known as Rainbow Ledges where we saw a group of several dozen mostly young kids, perhaps teenagers. They were picking and eating blueberries. We saw some blueberries last year, but not as many as this year. The wild ones are smaller than what I typically see in the stores at home, but they must be good because a lot of people are there to get them. Princess drove the truck around to our finishing point and hiked in to meet us this afternoon. She got all the way in to a shelter. We stopped there and took our final rest break with her then hiked the rest of thruway out. Princess passed Ranger on the way in to meet us. He sped up for the last couple of miles. He was concerned about getting tent space at the ABOL Campground. It turned out his fears were unfounded. Tent spots were available, but they have built new bunkhouses and he decided to get a bunkhouse spot. He really didn't want to get his tent wet just before the end of our AT hike, and the bunkhouse seemed like a good idea. Princess kept his backpack in the truck while he hiked with his slack-pack and he switched for the night. He plans to zero tomorrow, so he'll drive the truck and pick us up at the end of tomorrow's hike. Sound confusing? It is. Anyway, the rain did come, almost the exact minute that we reached the truck at the end of the hike. Now it's 9:00 pm, and it hasn't stopped raining once since then, intermittent between light and heavy rain. The trail will be soaked tomorrow. But we don't care. Tomorrow's hike is only 10 miles long with no major hills. And it's our next to last hike. It's the approach to Mt. Katahdin, and we plan to climb the final mountain on Thursday. Thursday is predicted to be nice. So the rain drops are falling in the roof here at the Appalachian Lodge. We had another great meal at Scootics in downtown Millinocket. The blackened scallops and blackened haddock were great. We expected to eat at Pelletiers across the street, but there are CLOSED signs stapled all over the front. No one we've asked seems to know what's going on. But since the mill closed, there are a lot of vacant buildings in downtown. I hope Pelletiers isn't another victim. Breaking news tonight: Focus got stung by a bee during yesterday's hike. It swelled up almost immediately, but got much worse during the hike today. He went into the hospital here to have it checked out and they gave him a shot and a prescription. It's not clear if he will hike tomorrow. Spartacus was also stung at the same time on the hand. His hand is swollen, but not as much as Focus.