Date: 2018-08-08
From: Little Bigelow Lean-to

To: Scott Road - Cabin in the Woods
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Which Way and I lived in Indianapolis a few years ago. While we were there we met a terrific young man named Nolan. He was a student at Butler University, which was a long way from his home in Austin, TX. We were blessed that Nolan allowed us to ¢adopt¢ him as our own. Nolan was a bright and musically gifted young man with a smile as big as Texas. He brought a lot of joy into our lives. We spent many days together in worship and fellowship, hiking, camping, playing games, and just spending time with this uniquely awesome young man. Not long after we moved from Indy to DC, 3 years ago to the month, Nolan¢s mom called with the sad news that Nolan¢s life ended tragically young. Needless to say, we were devastated by the news, but we will always cherish the time we had with Nolan. We have since built a relationship with Nolan¢s parents. A couple of days ago, Nolan¢s dad contacted me to let me know that Nolan¢s Uncle Dave and Aunt Theresa lived in Maine and were interested in doing some trail magic for me. He passed along my number and location and two days ago I got a text from Dave. As it turns out, he and Theresa own an off-the-grid cabin just 2.5 miles from the trail. So, we made a plan to rendezvous at Scott Road today. As I was walking to meet my Trail Angel it dawned on me that Nolan continues to bring joy to my life. I was hiking by 0630 and the trail for the first few miles out of the Lean-to was soft and easy. At least for a bit, I was following the brown dirt path to Katahdin. I eventually hit the shore of Flagstaff Lake, the first of many large bodies of water I would hike around today. West Carry Pond came next. I found a good spot there for lunch. Shortly after I started moving again, I came to a sign indicating that I was entering into ¢The Great Carrying Place¢. In 1775 COL Benedict Arnold led 1,000 men on an attack of Quebec. His force crossed over West Carry Pond and portaged 13 miles between the Dead and Kennebec Rivers. The AT between West and Middle Carry Ponds exactly follows the portage route. I didn¢t see anyone with muskets, but I did see a hiker with a fly fishing rod. Two brothers from Georgia¢Tree Breaker and Fish Fry¢are SOBOs hiking the trail. I met Tree Breaker first. He was a pleasant and respectful young man (yes sir this and yes sir that). Not far behind I met Fish Fry. He was actually hiking with his fly rod in hand. Evidentially, he has had several good catches along the way. The were both fine young fellows.After crossing over a section of mud, slippery rocks, and roots (gotta keep it real), I was back on soft trail again. It was like this for the most all the way to Scott Road. I arrived a half hour earlier than our designated link up time. It gave me just enough time to stretch and jot down notes from the hike.David and Theresa are both Structural Engineers living in North Yarmouth, ME. They came here out of college looking for work after the oil crash of the 1980¢s. They never left. Theresa was unable to make it, but Dave drove 130 miles from their house. He arrived with a cold Mountain Dew and and a cooler full of food. We made our way from the gravel logging road, to a dirt road, to a grass covered road that led into his property. They had literally built a cabin in the middle of the woods. Off the front porch is a view down to Lake Flagstaff with the Bigelows rising from the far shore. Perfect!Dave grilled steaks and fixed up some asparagus, beans, and warm bread to go with it. For dessert we had blueberry pie. Everything was delicious! Dave and I talked into the night about the trail, the cabin, life, family and faith. It was as if we had known each other for a very long time. We finished off the day with a phone call to Nolan¢s dad.Once again I went to sleep wondering how tomorrow could ever follow a day like today on the AT?!Peace & Blessings - NSElevation Data:Ascent - 1,835Descent - 2,230Grade - 5.8Weather:Day - 78 / Mostly SunnyNight - 66 / RainOver The Horizon: Kennebec River