Date: 2014-09-11
From: Rainbow Lake

To: Abol Pines Lean To
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: light rain

Up at 530 and on the trail by 615. I hope I can beat the rain. The trails not too bad but still has its challenging spots. It was an easy climb up to Rainbow Ledges which had no view due to the fog and mist. But what it lacked in view in more than made up in blueberries. This was the biggest cluster of berries I have been fortunate to come across. They were everywhere and were oh so good. I spent at least 20 minutes picking and eating and finally had to pull myself away if I was going to beat the rain. I stopped in at Hurd Lean To to look at the book to see where people were at and noted Rainbow rush had stayed the night. She really has put in some miles in the past few days. I left a final note in regards to my trip and especially wanted to remind everyone not to forget this special date that remembers those who lost their lives in the 9/11 tragedy as well as the men and women who have served and are now serving our country.I got to Able Bridge store just before 11 and it had been spitting rain for the past hour or so. I was able to get a cup of coffee to warm up and wait for the restaurant to open at 11 and have a real meal. For lunch I sat with Rainbow Rush and Wordly another NOBO. I was really really really hungry and had quite a bit of food to eat. The rest of the afternoon was spent at our table talking about our hike. Zach the owner was really cool and let us hang out the entire afternoon as it continued to rain. Around 3 Rainbow rush decided she would hitch into Millinocket to participate in trail work and promptly got a ride within about 5 minutes. Jonathan a ridge runner who I had met in Glasgow, VA was now working up here sat with us and answered some of our questions. The German couple who I had seen off and on for the past month or so were also there as well as a couple of section hikers and so was Stitch.One of the hikers sitting with us was a speed hiker who had passed me earlier on the trail going south just flying and now had come back after going out 6 miles. She was just familiarizing herself with the trail so she would know what to expect. We all had a great time conversing and laughing. After a while she left and we all went to pay our bills, but our waitress told us she had already paid for all of our tabs. I wish I could remember her name but I will never forget her, another wonderful trail angel.Around 6 it was time to eat again so we all ordered more food and hung out for another hour or so. At that time we made our way across the road to a state park where you pay on the honor system. Our lean to was right on the river and there was me, Wordly and the German couple. The evening started out cold but warmed up somewhat. The wind blew real hard all night long and several times I woke up to watch the river flow by and the branches bob and weave to the blows of the wind. The rain came and went which added to the ambience and after awhile stepped aside as the skies cleared and the bright moon shone itself across the water and the park.Earlier I remarked to Wordly as we got ready for bed that it was funny to think that this would be the last time I would be blowing up my air mattress and the last time I would be sleeping in my bag for this journey. Maybe thats why I woke up several times through the night as I didn't want to let go yet.