Date: 2014-08-10
From: Bemis Lean-to (maine)

To: Sabboth Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 8.3

When I woke up this morning about 6:00 a.m. I was aware of the exodus of all the hikers out of the camp area. When I climbed out of my tent I saw where someone had hung their hammock very close (must have come in to camp very late after I was asleep) I was so happy to see it was Crocs! We started at the same time WAY back in March. He sure looked different so he had to tell me his trail name before I could make the connection. We spent about 10 minutes naming certain hikers we remembered in common to try to decide of they were still on the trail. Good Job, Crocs! You are almost there!!The four of us headed out and thank heaven it did not rain in the morning. There were several technical 'downs' that I thought were as hard as any we had done, so the going was a bit slow.We came to what was supposed to be a 'ford' but I was happy to see that I could rock-hop a path to the other side. Our group stopped and did some minor bathing (dousing our kerchiefs in the cold water and swabbing our faces and necks). We all resupplied our water as it had been a humid morning with lots of sweating.Next came a pretty steep climb more rock jumbles but as I was approaching one of these I looked into the sunlight and over the ridge bounded the two most beautiful Border Collies I had ever seen. They were so HAPPY! (Border Collies want to stay busy and on the move so this was certainly their type thing)...I have wanted a Border Collie for many years but the time has to be right to be able to ensure their daily 'activeness'....Jake and Daisy were dancing all around me. They were SO fluffy and clean! Then came the owners, a very nice young couple who had just adopted these dogs together. This was a 'training hike' to see if the dogs would do well on the trail. They were very obedient and sat and looked at me as if they were smiling. (see pictures)So onward and upward I hiked....climbing and climbing, very steep. Then I break through to open grasses and flowers. I looked straight up and we are at the road!! YAY......Solo had left trail magic but when we lifted the lid we were disappointed as nothing remained. I was so hot and I was imagining a soft drink. Oh well, I have to be thankful I have water and I sat by the road and added an orange flavor packet to my water bottle. Kebban and I headed across the highway as Hushpuppy and ZigZag got in their car to run the shuttle set-up. (They had hiked this next section already and did not need it to complete her AT hike.As Kebban and I headed upward over more rock scrambles it started to rain. It did this a few times throughout the afternoon. We were also walking in bogged areas so it remained humid. At one point I felt ill, just weak and fatigued and not much interest to keep this steady focus going. We sat for a while and ate and drank and suddenly I did feel better.We hiked on enjoying overlooking the beautiful lakes....watching some float planes land and take off.When we got to Sabbath Pond Lean-to it was 4:00pm!! This was awesome because I had time to just breathe easy and explore a bit. I made some hot chocolate and went down to the lake and made my way out to a large rock protruding out of the water. I watched the dragonflies and mused over the reflection of the clouds over the water......so very beautiful and peaceful (so different from the focus & toughness it takes to get here.)We sat our tents on the nice platform so there would be level sleeping and easy meal prep tonight. Ahhhhh, times are good.Night all! Zzzzzzzzzzzzz