Date: 2005-08-26
From: Bald Mtn Brook Campsite

To: Rt. 15 (Monson)
Miles today: 22.3

start: Bald Mtn Brook Campsitefinish: Rt. 15 (Monson)miles: 22.3I slept very well last night with the sound of the brook nearby. I was afraid I'd keep having problems with mice, as one got itself trapped in my tarp netting last evening trying to get at my food. But I hung the food on a nearby branch about 4 feet off the ground and had no more intrusions. It's interesting to note that the ONLY times I've ever had problems with critters is when I camp in designated areas. When stealthing in a hidden spot in the woods, as I did for most of this trip (ok, when not staying in motels, hah!), I had zero animal problems and never once hung my food.I was on top of Moxie Bald by 8:30. It was very quiet, sunny, and there was a light breeze fluttering the prayer flags tied to the summit sign. I've always liked this mountain. Growth is starting to return. There had been a fire on the summit I think back in 2002, or 2003, most likely from a lightning strike. One of those times I was up here the burn was still very fresh and charred-smelling.I was feeling very good as I hiked north from the peak. This whole section is so pretty - up high there are blueberry covered rock outcroppings, and lower are beautiful mixed forests and nice, easy trail.Eventually I came to the ford at the West Branch of the Piscataquis. It was nice and cool, about knee deep. I went in with my shoes on, as I had just slipped a few minutes before and got them wet. It made the shoes-on vs. shoes-off decision much easier. The water felt so good I dropped my pack on the other side and went back to the deepest hole and sat down up to my neck. Brrr, that always feels so good! I love Maine.After wringing my clothes out and putting them back on I followed the AT along the bank of the river for several miles. I had forgotten just how pretty this is through here, with the constant sound of the water and the many little waterfalls and pools. I resisted the temptation to swim again, in fact to just wallow in the water all day like a hippo. That would be the life, eh?Shortly before getting to Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to I saw three women I'd seen the day before. They were car hiking some short sections. It turned out that these hikers were Amoeba and her friends Purple Rose and Zigzag. Stumpknocker had mentioned that I might see them. Amoeba is about 12 miles from finishing her 3 year section hike of the whole AT. She should be finished by the time you read this. We stopped and talked for at least half an hour. It was great to see Amoeba after all that Stumpy had told me about her.As I approached Shirley-Blanchard Rd. late in the day I remembered that this was the spot Mailar and I had left all the Mountain Dew in the brook. I don't normally drink that beverage, as it has way too much caffeine, but I was interested today, as I was thirsty and tired. It was 2-1/2 days ago, but I figured there would still be some soda. Wrong. As I stood there in the road feeling sorry for myself I glanced up the trail northward and made out something having an unnatural blue color. Oh boy, I think it is... Yes, it's a COOLER! With root beer and oranges! On ice! Left here courtesy of Strider GAME 03. Well, I sat right down and ate an orange and drank me a soda. Oh yeah. Trail magic on my last day in Maine. Sweet.After a short break I hiked the remaining five miles to rt. 15 and my car. I was walking to my car when a black pickup pulled in. The Maine plate read GAME03 so I hurried over and asked if he was named Strider. Yup. It's a rare treat to meet someone who leaves trail magic in the woods. Thanks Strider! We got talking and it turns out he used to live many years ago within a mile of my house in Connecticut.I got in the car and drove to Skowhegan looking for Ken's restaurant. Stumpy told me to come here to eat the Monster Seafood platter. I ordered it and boy was it huge. I ate and ate, but eventually I got tired of all the fried food and just gave up. I ate all the fish filet, though. It was really good. Now motel moosie is settled in a real bed with sheets once again, preparing to head home tomorrow.