Date: 2015-08-12
From: Stealth Campsite

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: light rain

Remember all the problems I had with Big Agnes early in the hike? A night of rain and she was back to her old tricks. There's nothing quite like waking up to a lake in your tent. Early in the hike I would have been pretty torn up over it, I wasn't today. I had everything packed away and the only thing truly wet was my sleeping pad. Well, everything was a shade of wet but manageable.It wasn't raining when I climbed out at 6:00 AM so I packed up, dumped the water out of my tent, and started walking. First thing was to ford the Piscataquis River. It was right next to where I camped so I just left my Crocs on and went at it. The water was cold and up to my knees but it wasn't an issue. The rope to hold to get across had too much slack and was relatively worthless.The trail followed the river for a while and was mostly mud bogs. I guess a night of rain didn't help. Hopping wet boulders across pits of mud is a skill nobody should acquire. But, despite the wet trail I finished the twelve miles to the road a little before Noon. When I finally saw the road I walked over a piece of wet slate and fell straight on my butt. Awesome.I got to the road and started digging into my bag for a phone and the info to call Shaw's for a place to stay. While sitting there a car pulled up, asked me if I wanted a ride and whisked me to town. It was actually Poet who works at Shaw's. Talk about timing. I'm thinking it's not cool to get in cars with strangers when I get home? Which one of you are responsible for keeping me from hitchhiking, taking food from strangers, and rummaging through random coolers? We'll save lessons on deodorant and regular showers for a few weeks in.So this place is great and I recommend anyone hiking to stay here. It's so laid back and hiker friendly. I stayed outside drying my gear on the lawn and talking for hours this afternoon. I hear the breakfast tomorrow is going to be outstanding. I can probably muster an appetite.So, I feel like I haven't torn up the food scene too bad today. I only had three bacon cheeseburgers, a can of Pringles, whatchamacallit, and mozerella sticks for lunch and crab wontons, cheeseburger, fries, peanut butter creme pie, and a zebra cake for dinner. Oh, and a bottle of chocolate milk, three mountain dews, and a Gatorade. Might have to run back out.I did have a good dinner hanging out with Caption and Headlight. Kaleb with a K was also there. I see him in the most random places. Trudge and the guys showed up tonight after getting slowed up in the rain yesterday. I was wondering about them. I also heard Jeopardy left Caratunk today. He seemed like he wanted to slow up and I'm ready to get home. It happens and I'm glad he's doing well. He's got some good folks around him.Tomorrow I'll eat breakfast, finish up my resupply and head into the 100 Mile Wilderness. I hear that first view of Katahdin makes it all real. It doesn't feel real yet. I'm guessing I'll get my first glimpse on Saturday or Sunday and hopefully hit the Golden Road on the other side on Tuesday.Lately I find myself drifting into random memories of the last few months as I hike. It's been everything I wanted it to be. I feel like I've written more about my frustrations on the trail than I have my triumphs. I guess that's what sticks out the most when it happens. I'm glad when my brain goes back it's to things like sprinting up Moosilauke in pure joy or hanging out on top of Annapolis Rocks and watching the sunset with a few good friends. I would never thru hike again, but man, I wouldn't trade these memories for anything.