Date: 2008-09-30
From: Bald Mt. stream

To: Monson
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

10:39 am It is another day in Maine and again, I am surrounded by beauty. The walk this morning has been absolutely beautiful, walking along beside the Piscataquis River. First thing out of camp we had to ford two converging streams, both of which were running fast and full. Nothing like a little swim in icy water first thing in the morning! Like yesterday, I was nervous, not wanting to fall and be carried down the river, my pack an anchor. I did all I could to avoid that! And was successful. It's amazing that the trail makers expect us to do such things! Imagine if it had rained for a week, the creek would be impassible. So on down the trail we went. Lots of mud and water on the trail, no chance for drying out the boots today! A water massage for my feet! Now I sit several miles upstream on a bluff beside the river. Lead Dog was needing a snack and I am always hungry and willing to take the pack off for a few minutes. I boiled some water for hot chocolate and am enjoying that with a cliff bar, courtesy of my friend Lisa. :-) The hillside opposite me is lovely! No shortage of fall colors, with every one of them represented in fabulous fashion. I love fall! And just now, looking out at the cloud-filled sky I spotted a hawk, soaring without effort. I always feel good when I see a hawk, feel that it is, corny as it sounds, my spirit animal. This hike has given me so many opportunities to perfect the art of BEING. That is, to sit somewhere outside and just be in the moment, with no thoughts of yesterday, tomorrow or even later today. I am able to revel in the now, to be an invisible observer, to soak up the peace and stillness. I think this is lacking in our society--this ability or desire to be in the moment. It seems people are always rushing off to be someplace else, to do something else, to get something else crossed off of their to-do lists. So many times on this grand oddessy I have felt rich, just sitting in the woods, enjoying my surroundings. Frank is always saying, "It's not about what you have but how much you enjoy what you have." He is so right. Happiness is when you can be somewhere and think of no where else you'd rather be, nothing you'd rather be doing, but just to be in the moment. I love that about this hike! (Of course there are many times I wish friends or others were here with me, sharing the moment. But I will be content with sharing my pictures and stories later.) Anyway. After our break we walked on, through lots more mud, mud, mud and mud. My feet have forgotten what it feels like to be warm and dry. Eventually after many more puddles and small stream crossings Lake Hebron came into view. This lake borders the small town of Monson, Maine so seeing it meant we were almost there. Thank god because I was starving, not wanting to stop and take the time to fix lunch. Plus, my food bag was running pretty low, with no chocolate or other treats for dessert left. The trail brought us out to an old woods road. The sign there pointed right to Monson, 2 miles. I was not thrilled to walk more, was hoping to just be there. But we came to a dirt road in no time and I called the hostel for a shuttle and we were in town soon after. Had a piece of pizza at the general store, took a shower and spent some time in the library across the street. Then Lead Dog and I went kayaking on the lake. How nice! It was lovely being on the water, looking at the colorful mountains and wonderful reflectons in the water. Pizza and peach cobbler for dinner and my last night in a bed until after the 100 mile wilderness. Not a bad day!