Date: 2013-07-19
From: Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to

To: Monson (Lakeshore House Lodging and Pub)
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: moderate rain

We both got an early start this morning, with the thought of getting into Monson for a nearo day on our minds. There are two trail possibilities for reaching Monson and Dragonstick and I chose different options so we agreed to meet at Lakeshore Landing. I was on the trail by 6:15.There really wasn't anything particularly remarkable about the trail between the lean-to and here except for the bugs. They were horrible... even my usual strategy of trying to move faster than they fly wasn't working. After I used my bug headnet a few days ago it blew off, so I was without one. If someone knows why those small black bugs like to fly into your eyes I wish they'd enlighten me. It seems like a death wish on the bugs' part and I can't sort out the rationale. Anyway, I spent a lot of time wiping them off my face with my bandana, while still keeping my eyes on the trail to navigate all of the rocks and roots.At about 9:45 I heard some serious thunder and I picked up my pace. I noticed the bugs stopped annoying me once the thunder started. Something else I can't explain. By 10:15 I was at Rte. 15 and calling the Lakeshore House Lodging and Pub for a pick-up. Three other guys came out of the woods from the north who were staying at the same place, so we all shared a ride into town.The Lakeshore House hostel is located upstairs above the dining room and bar. It's full tonight with Confederate, Joe the Hiker, CW, the three guys from Georgia, Chickory, and several others. I spent the first part of my day doing laundry, showering, picking up packages (many thanks to Easy for the last minute bug headnet and to Short and Sweet for the brownies), and eating lunch and resupplying at the gas station/convenience store. The Monson General Store recently closed, which means the in-town resupply options are limited. I was glad that I'd had Easy send some food this way.After chores were done, it was downstairs to the great lawn behind the Lakeshore House. A group of hikers congregated in the adirondack chairs, drinking, talking, and just enjoying the lakefront and surprisingly nice weather. And perhaps most importantly, NO BUGS.I ended up going in the lake for a swim and after changing had dinner at the pub. I shared a table with Dragonstick and Morgan, who I'd last seen in Gorham, NH. Morgan's from Indiana and is walking the trail between Rutland, VT and Katahdin with his dog, Nico. What really impresses me about Morgan is that he's just entering his senior year of high school. There's no way I would have had the self-confidence to pursue such an undertaking at his age!While we were eating the thunderstorms and rain started. While we'd originally planned to hike out in the morning, Dragonstick and I are going to zero here. The weather forecast for tomorrow sounds as though heavy storms are likely, followed by a dramatic cool down with clear weather. I know the adage "no rain, no pain, no Maine", but I've made it to Maine and have had plenty of rain and pain along the way, so I'll pass on the rain tomorrow. Dragonstick and I spent some time this evening looking at maps and planning our time between here and Katahdin. We're hoping to reach the summit of Katahdin by Sunday, July 28, so I'm asking all of you to send good weather vibes for that date. It all seems surreal to me that the end to this journey is in sight. All the way along I've set small goals for myself (make it 32 miles to Neel's Gap... make it 78 miles to cross the NC state line... make it through the Smokies) and suddenly all that's left is to make it through the 100 Mile Wilderness and up Katahdin. The far-off misty end is coming into focus.Today's highlight: spending time relaxing with other hikers on the lawn behind the Lakeshore House. What a beautiful spot.