Date: 2007-08-09
From: Stratton (White Wolf Inn)

To: Little Bigelow Lean-To
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: broken clouds

The final countdown has begun. I cannot believe it. Nor can I believe that I am a 2,000 miler after today. I plan on summiting Katahdin August 18th barring any delays which could still happen. Bad weather or injuries are still very possible although I'll stay positive and just enjoy my final days on the trail. Today was a good day. Despite the coziness of a bed I was still up early. I wasn't in any rush to go any where though. I wanted to be lazy and take as much time as I could in the room and with me mum and sister. I am really glad they came. It was hard to leave them but it is only for a little while. I also got word that Tapioca will join me for a day and a half on the trail at Monson. Unfortunately it can't be longer and he is really going to get his butt kicked when he gets out here. his trail legs are long gone by now and he will be baptized by fire when he gets here. It is a nice section though and he should do alright. I got to the trail around 11:30 and just took my time today. It was real nice with cool temps and sunny skies. The Bigelows are quite challenging and are also one of my favorite parts of Maine. It was nice to walk them again. I started out with some easy miles at the beginning and then rose up, up and away to Horn Pond lean-tos. It is a nice spot and I have ben here a few times including the winter. I stopped there for a break just to say hi to the shelters. Then it was up to the South Horn(3805'). Then it was over to the West Peak of Bigelow Mountain(4145') and then Avery Peak(4088'). That peak is named after Myron Avery who is one of the people who originaly made this trail possible. I could finally see Katahdin from those two peaks. Before I started the trail I would have thought of it being so far away, but now it is close and actually in sight. But it was a day of enjoying the peaks on the Bigelow Range. Katahdin will come soon enough. It was a good day to take my time, enjoy what laid before me and think about what I have accomplished on this trail. I thought of all the people I have met and what a great time it has been out here. So many miles and so many days living as a vagabond. There really is nothing like living out of a backpack. Having everything you need in that small thing on your back makes you realize what you really need to live and what you don't need. People are alays buying stuff they don't need. How many sets of clothes do you really need? How many pots, pans, and appliances do you actually use. Just think of all the stuff you have that you never use. Why? I have been thinking a lot about downsizing the amount of stuff I have at home. I don't plan on junking it, but life is much easier and simple with less stuff. Well I'm just rambling.   I look forward to somewhat easier days on the trail ahead. There are only a few more sizable mountains before Katahdin. The miles won't all be easy of course but the 4,000 footers are done and so are most of the 3,000 footers. I think it will be kind of nice to just walk through the woods for a while. Then I'll hit my last town and enter the Hundred Mile Wilderness. One hundred miles with no resupply. I won't have any deliveries to one of the roads and I shall not stop at White House Landing either. I'm sure it is a wonderful litle retreat in the woods but I have decided to make this trek sans the commodities of normal life for one last time, for now. Trail life is much different when you restrain yourself from towns as much as possible and retreat to the woods. I have come to enjoy it a lot. Towns can be fun, but they can be too fun and I came out here to be on the trail primarily anyways. It's turned out to be nice and cool tonight, it should make for a nice nights sleep.! I may not want to get out of the sleeping bag tommorrow. Well it's time for some shut eye.