Date: 2007-10-18
From: Pleasant Pond Lean-To, Maine

To: .8 miles north of Bald Mtn pond, Maine
Miles today: 16.0

Woke up to a beautiful day, a few hey clouds whisping by like a paint brush stroke on a sky blue canvas. I popped my ankle a couple of times; stretched it some; and was on my way around 11am(I guess?). I got going and moved pretty good. I had to focus on putting my left foot down in a flat spot everytime; so, I would not twist it again. I did have some minor close calls. It is funny; I do not twist my ankle on steep or rough terrain. It always seems to happen when I am on level trail and trying to "make miles". I got to Bald Mtn Brook in roughly 3 hours. It was about 9 miles. I only stopped twice to drink water and eat a small snack. I was hoping for a big day; maybe, I can catch "Lentil's" wild self. I ate a really big meal. My new favorite meal is to get a Knorr vegetable side; mix it with a spicy ramen(yes, I still like ramen); and then throw in a small packet of tuna soaked in sunflower oil. Man, it is good and packed with energy. I am also eating alot of packs of salmon, tuna, and chicken "steaks" or thick slices of meat. Protein is so important at this point. I began my climb up and over Moxie Bald Mtn, 2 miles and 1400 feet. This was another beautiful bald mtn above treeline. Maine, Maine, Maine: you are a gorgeous woman. Why do you make it so hard to enjoy you. I climb, then I have to get going. Someday, Ill spend much more time with you. On my way down, I met a SOBO named "EarlyBird". I was a little surprised to see someone going to Springer mtn this late in the year; I did not want to act surprised or be negative; so, I just said good luck and asked if he had seen anyone else going north, recently. He said that Lentil was just ahead and heading to Monson today. Yes, Ill catch him! I am usually a solitudinous creature; but, Lentil is the only northbounder that I have seen for weeks. I got going heading towards Moxie Bald Lean-To and had a thought, "that SOBO EarlyBird; looked familiar, was he the same Earlybird that I met around the first of February when I was climbing Standing Indian Mtn, NC in the snow? I never forget a face." It was around dusk when I got to the shelter and heard a loon on the adjacent pond. They have such a lonely cry. I have tried to mimic the sound to let the bird know I was lonely too; but, It is a difficult noise to make. The Loon drew me down to the banks of the still waters of a big pond that was about 30 yards from the shelter. The moon was now a little less than 1/2 full and waxing. It reflected off of the water and there was still just a bit of light from the now set sun. The evening star and a planet were up there as well. I tried to take a picture; but, just could not capture what I was seeing and definetly not what I was feeling. These continual beautiful settings and the associated feelings keep me motivated. I had to pull myself away from here. I was actually contemplating going into the water. When I come back to Maine: I will come to this spot in the summer and stay here 2 or 3 days and swim an sun. I somehow got back to the shelter an ate an got "Jacked up" on coffee. I then got going along a very flat and wet section for about 5 miles. I was concerned aboout running into a moose or two. I also was a little anxious about crossing The Piscataquis River. The guide book says that it should not be crossed in a period of heavy rains as it's normal depth is ankle deep. After I crossed a damn that crossed the Bald Mtn Pond Outlet. I got a little spooked. I have not crossed many raging streams in the middle of the night; so, I found a nice flat space "in the pines" and set up my bed for the night. I got away from the trail a bit; so, a moose wouldnt stomp me. As I looked up to a clear sky through the pines: I saw the clouds come in and hoped that I would not get rained on. If I did, I would have to get up and hike. I had it in my mind that I would wake up at first light and get into Monson at a descent hour. I did not sleep well due things already mentioned and I kept getting some coughing spasms due to the pine or mold in the pines. It actually was choking me a few times. Man, I should have not ever smoked cigarettes. I still have not smoked one since Jan 9th.