Date: 2008-09-26
From: Copper Brook Lean-to

To: Whitehouse Wilderness Camp
Miles today: 13.7

Ravonette and I were the only ones in the lean-to. Sweet Potato, Brahma Bull, Hoot and Sundance came in late, but they all ended up tenting. They cooked dinner and we all sat around discussing trail gossip. Brahma Bull had the nerve to actually dive into the icy cold pond...no sissy Ravon skinny-dipping for him.  This was a great day of hiking because the treadway on the most part was easy walking.  We saw more birds today...woodpeckers, migrating black birds, ravens, bald eagle, golden eagle, juncos, chickadees, Ruffed grouse, spruce grouse and loons. Of course, the eagles were a real thrill. These we saw at the White House Wilderness Camp. At first, we thought the golden eagle was a fledgling trying to get food, but it was bigger than the bald. The loon was very upset when ever the eagles were flying. Linda the owner said that is because the eagles will try to attack the baby loons. She pointed out that there appeared to be a moose swimming across the lake. As it got closer, it turned out to be a bear. What a great day to observe wildlife. I am glad we didn't try to make it to Church Pond.  It was a short ways off the trail so not sure if there was camping.  It was at Jo-Mary Road that we learned from a hiker that a hurricane was on its way. Now, wouldn't you know that the last hurricane to hit Maine was seventeen years ago. Only the Ravon knows how to bring a hurricane in October. Ask Chicken Little my reputation.  So here we go.   The Antlers Campsite was another great place for camping. The last several privies have been special. This one was the best so far. It looked more like a miniature cabin complete with two curtained windows, a metal bowl washstand and a wooden door with an antique glass door knob. This campsite also had one spot where you could see Mtn. Katahdin.  What a sight!! It is a huge stand alone mountain. I could pick out the knife edge with all the avalanche shoots. It was a bit overwhelming to think I will be climbing it in four or five days. There was one small hill, Potaywadjo Ridge...a pretty easy climb. From there we had 2.8 miles on the trail to the blue blaze trail to White House Wilderness Camp. This was 1.2 miles out of our way, but it was a place we could get some supplies. We'd also heard that it was suppose to start raining this afternoon and night. I was very happy we made the decision to come here. As we were hiking the blue blaze, we met Boarder, Just Mike, Worm and Gonzo (Ravonette found that she knew his uncle, Jim Stark, who works for the Forest Service in Aspen) . They had just finished Linda's famous one pound cheese burger and Gonzo had eaten two! When you get to the dock across from the camp, you blow an air horn...just one time. Bill comes and picks you up in a small motor boat taking you across the inlet. This place used to be an old logging camp back in 1910. There is a black and white photo of the camp. The white house look to be a three story lodge for loggers. It is no longer there, but they have some of the white clapboards on display along with lots of antique tools, stuffed animals, stoves, sleigh, a canoe, duck decoy and items from that era. It is a group of cozy buildings, but no electricity. It had gas lights, spring water, outhouses, a great hot shower. Laundry is done on an old wash board in a galvanized tub using lake water. We had our shower, washed some clothes and had a great pizza for dinner. Then it began to rain and continued all night. Bill said it rained 3 inches and we could get 3 to 7 inches more! Tonight I will be warm and dry in our cabin with a wood burning stove. Fly Right,