Date: 2003-08-26
From: Logan Brook Lean-To

To: Cooper Brook Falls
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: overcast clouds

"God's in his heaven, alls right with the world."                     Robert Browning An absolutely perfect day on the trail! Woke up 5:30ish to fog and clouds half way down White Cap. The group was up early too. No need to tippy toe around late sleepers. Made coffee, took pictures and headed out by 8 am. Its kind of weird being the only nobo. I'm the only 1 tonight too. Weird! All the sobos were talking about a nasty bees nest on the side of the trail the way I was headed. So I was prepared! Dressed in full rain gear I trudged the 1.7 miles past where the bees were supposed to be, but thankfully the critters were late sleepers. Not one to be found - so I took off the rain gear and next thing I knew I was at East Branch Lean-to. Its a very nice new one. The maintainers realy outdid themselves. Lots of tables for cooking and a picnic table in the common area. Some nice tent sites too. I stayed around an hour, read the register and ate. My appetite is nearing ravenous. Hiked up a hill and got to Mountain View Pond. Saw a cow moose and a loon. The moose will look like a speck in the picture, but hey, I've got a lot of pictures to take. Hiked up Little Boardman Mtn. and it wasnt as bad as everyone said it was. The rest of the day was smooth sailing. Got to Crawford Pond and the sandy beach by 2 and hung out in the sun til 3:30. A lovely nd leisurely day! I was tempted to swim but its pretty cool and I knew there was a good swimming hole at the lean-to, so I hiked the final 2.5. in a little over an hour and got here to Cooper Brook Falls. The swimming hole is awesome. I'll take a bath in the morning. Met sobos Mike and Katharine. A nice couple from Boston. He's got some wicked blisters so I gave him some 2nd skin. They have enormous packs and are learning the hard way. 4 other guys in 2 groups showed up later and we all chatted til dark over a roaring fire. Just when I think I'll be alone I end up with a great group of new faces. I like being alone, but then again, I like meeting new folks so its a toss up! Earlier today at Crawford Pond I thought of all the people I have hiked with. I miss them and would love them to be with me these final miles. But being the Gemini I truly am, I really enjoy the solitude. When I got here the lean-to register was full so I ripped out some pages from my composition book and made a new one. Hopefuly, when its full it'll be mailed back to me with the promise of goodies. It'll be great to have messages from a lot of people I've hiked with - neat. I've always thought of leaving one and I've been carrying the book so long I figured I'd never get to leave one - but today was my chance. Yeah! Chloe was very good today, a few breaks to smell stuff,a few to chase squirels and toads and bugs but she was very good on the leash again. Its harder and slower hiking but I have time. It's warmer tonight so no need for long johns and coccooning in the sleping bag. Just another delightful night in the tent. Tomorrow a short day of 8 flat miles to Antlers Campsite. It's situated right on a lake and supposedly one of the best sites in Maine. The next day an even shorter 5 miles to White House Landing where I will eat the biggest cheeseburger of my life - yum. Molasses is hungry. She's tired too!peace and positivity,Molasses