Date: 2006-08-03
From: Rangeley

To: Piazza Rock Lean-To
Miles today: 1.8
Weather: overcast clouds

It thundered and lighteninged during the night and I awoke to a steady rain this morning. A dismal day indeed for the people who were setting up their tents and displays for the Art Fair next to the Inn. After a full rain gear trip to the BMC diner for a standing room only breakfast, I was picked up promptly by Bob O¢ Brien at 10AM in a heavy misty, rainy morning.   Although I had the strength of will to cast my broken Leki into the garbage dumpster, I left the right [bent] pole leaning against the side of the dumpster, in hopes that its life might yet be reprieved by some kind pole-needy soul attending the Art Fair.      Bob is an interesting guy, and told me all about the incredible appreciation in land values in this area over the past twenty years ¢ which in turn has driven up the real estate taxes to such an extent that it has forced him to slowly sell off his waterfront property to keep pace. Every time he sells off a piece of his property however, the new owner builds on it, which in turn drives up the property value and taxes and the whole cycle begins again.   I started out on today¢s brief hike on a wet, drippy, cold and misty trail. Everything was wet. The Sandy River was a raging torrent and I was happy for the footbridge. The new poles work fine, but make a louder ¢click¢ on the rocks because they do not have the rubber shod tip protectors that I put on the Lekis. I slowly wandered up a well-maintained trail, listening to the rain and the rush of every swollen stream and brook.      At the official stream crossing just after a trailside register ¢ I like these ¢ the stream had spread itself out into a sizeable torrent. Memories of Little Antheim Creek flashed through my mind, but a little exploration showed that the stream divided into two branches just upstream of the trail crossing, each of which afforded a dry, if precarious, foot crossing.   Having just forded, I was passed by a youth group coming down, and I watched in jealousy as they nimbly rock hopped across the divided streams like little mountain goats ¢ paying little attention to a crossing that had caused me considerable anxiety just a few moments before.   I arrived at the shelter shortly after noon and made myself at home. This is a great ¢skylight¢ shelter. There is a caretaker here who has a separate little tent-hut and privy and it is all very well maintained. I settled in for a long and lazy afternoon in my sleeping bag, listening to the rain falling.   About 1:00PM Snapper NOBO thru hiking with her wunderhund Chestnut, arrived. She had been here two days ago, but went back to Rangeley with a bad case of Giardiasis, Now dosed up on Flagyl, and complaining of the bitter metallic taste that is a side effect of the medication, and despite the continuing symptoms of her affliction, she was determined to press on. I have every confidence that she will make it. A good person.   I also found an entry in the register from Plugger from September of 2005. It was great to see it, as I am sure that this is the Plugger that I met during my aborted spring hike of 2003.   By 3:00PM the rain had stopped and there was even a little glimmer of sunlight to tempt me to try to dry out my wet hiking gear. The caretaker ¢ Chris ¢ arrived with a registration card [but no fee here] and his camera. He showed me some of his photos on the digital screen and they were of excellent professional quality.   It is now late afternoon. Cool ¢ the temp is in the 60¢s according to the temp gauge here ¢ with the feel of a cold night to come. Made coffee ¢ Folgers this time ¢ and ate some cheese and a Quakers bar [oats and nuts] I will cook dinner later.   I can still hear the sound of the rushing water as the rainfall is carried away down slope, and the drip of water from the trees on to the shelter roof.   I fee good physically and emotionally. The knee feels fine and there is no more swelling at all in the left leg. The short hiking days was officially approved by the lower extremity. We will see what the night brings.Thought for Today ¢          An important result of any action is the range of actions that it opens up to you in the future as a consequence.