Date: 2015-07-31
From: West Branch of Piscataquis River

To: Monson, Maine
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: overcast clouds

The rain had stopped so we were able to pack up. We met the occupants of the other tents. Piston is from New Brunswick, Canada and started April 10th! His wife and daughter joined him since the White Mountains. We had to really ford the west branch of the Piscataquis River. No stepping stones. In fact, the river rose several feet overnight. The guidebook said the river is usually knee deep but it came to the top of my thighs ... My rolled up shorts barely stayed dry. Fortunately there was a rope to hang on to because the current was moving and the rocks were slick. We hiked the next five miles before we had to ford the east branch of the river. No rope this time. Same thing. River was thigh high in the middle but not as wide. We then had 6.7 miles left to Monson. We hiked along passing a couple SOBOs. Lots of mud and slick rocks again. My foot slid sideways and I went down after the first couple miles. Wookie fell over some rocks and mud. Right before we reached the road, I slid again and went down. My pack weight slid forward so I struggled to get up. I have fallen more in Maine than I think the other states combined! Fortunately none have been serious. Besides the tumbles, I think the worst thing on the trail are the bugs. They buzz back and forth between your ears while others bite you always as you are trying to navigate over rocks and mud which is tedious. Not to mention the itching. It's enough to make you want to go crazy and run away screaming. We made it to the road and tried to hitch but all the traffic was going in the opposite direction. I had just enough service to call Lakeshore House Hostel and they sent the cook to pick us up. We checked in and immediately hung out wet tents out to dry. August and Spice were also there. Spice is from Kentucky and flip flopping. We sat in the Adirondack chairs on the dock in the sun enjoying the lake chatting with Spice. I then decided to kayak and paddled out to the middle of the lake and let the wind drift me back to the dock. I did that a few times. What a great way to spend our last day in town! It's surreal to be here already! It took me longer to get to Caratunk than expected but I made it to Monson a day faster than expected. Only 114.5 miles to Katahdin. I still can't believe it!Wolverine, Wild Thing and Six Strings came by. They were staying at Shaw's the other hostel. I think that's the social hostel. Ours is the peaceful one. I then chatted with August about his philosophy and outlook on life. He has several books on Amazon about his philosophies. It was interesting since he has hiked the trail twice before and has had a few different careers and plans to start a new one after he summits. It was time to do some chores of repacking my food bag, laundry, washing gears, catch up on communications with the outside world, etc. Thank you to my parents for sending me the rest of my resupply for the last few days!! There aren't any real grocery stores the last few towns so I am grateful for my friends and family who have thoughtfully and generously helped me resupply since my vegetarian options would have been very limited!!I will be conserving battery for the next week so will probably not post anything until I can recharge in Millinocket after I summit.