Date: 2011-09-12
From: To be added

To: Harrison's Pierce Pond Camps
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: broken clouds

Let's hear it for big miles today. I did those miles in about 10 hours - not bad considering rocks, roots, muck and a take off your boots to ford a dam crossing....crazy things on this Trail.Before I get into today I can't believe I didn't write about night hiking last night. Haven't done any night hiking, hadn't planned to do any night hiking but I was determined to get to that shelter cause there was no place to put up my tent and I wasn't doing cowboy camping. Sleeping under the stars with no cover is not my thing. So, I set off at breakneck speed to cover 2 miles. Breaking my neck was definitely an option cause it was downhill. With about a mike left I had to dig out my headlamp. It wasn't bad, really. A little wierd because the only things visible are where the headlamp shines. The axes were easy to see, thankfully. I found the turn. The blue blazes were a bit harder to spot and there were two stream crossings. When I saw this this morning insunlight I wasnt certain how I had done them last night. Of course, my Guardian Angel was with me. I remember thinking at one point, should I be afraid to be out here by myself in the woods in the dark then I thought, that is such a stupid question - you've been out here at night, alone, for 5 months. What? You think LL of a sudden bad guys will be out here tonight. LoL. Anyway, there was no one T the shelter so I decided to stay in it instead of setting up my tent. My knees and feet were really hurting; I took 3 advil and 2 aspirin then got up and took 2 more aspirin. I didn't sleep well. It got warm and I was just uncomfortable.So, today, I got hiking about 7:15. Another beautiful day - it wS actually hot and muggy this afternoon. I am not complaining I would rather be hot, any day, than cold.Yesterday I saw Flagstaff Lake from the 4 mountains; today the hike was along the lake. Very pretty. There was a loon, all alone, out there calling. Such interesting sounds they make. Haunting and beautiful, they touch my soul.The topography was easy today if it hadn't been for rocks, roots and muck I would hVe been really moving. It was great to be able to look at the woods instead of the Trail, every step. The leaves are starting to change I have a perfect maroon-red maple leaf on my pack, so pretty.I saw red squirrels and chipmunks as well as those tiny baby frogs today. The squirrels are all yammering - they don't like it when I walk by - they are very vocal and so cute.And... I saw another female moose! She came bounding out of the woods on my right, maybe 3 feet in front of me. I remember thinking - smells like a horse and big! She was such a dark brown she looked almost black. She walked down the AT and was turned to watch me. I couldn't get close enough for a pic. She went off into the woods, I could hear her but couldn't see her. Very cool.Made me think of the little girl at Madison Hut who went out the morning after we saw Lola, the young female moose, and was calling, 'moosey, moosey, moosey'. So cute.I was starving today. Could certainly tell a difference in how I felt today versus yesterday after a town breakfast. I didn't have nearly the energy or drive. But, with the two hour earlier start, I was able to get in the miles in. It will be less tomorrow cause I have to catch the ferry over the Kennebec River. It'll all work out.I'm at Harrison's Pier e Pond Camps, in the Gibralter Cabin. Tim is the owner of Harrio s's, been here 26 years. His friend, Dave, is here visiting. Both nice guys. He caters to fishermen. Has 9 cabins and a great lodge. Seems to enjoy people. I'm looking forward to the pancKe breakfast - I'll be all fueled up again.Tonight I'm grateful for the flatter trail and praying my knees don't hurt like last night.Hike on!Scribbles