Date: 2006-08-19
From: West Carry Pond Lean-to

To: Caratunk - Campground - RV
Miles today: 0.0

.   It was a warm night, but the mosquitoes kept me company till I finally went to sleep. Then, some time during the night I woke up to someone sreaming out, ¢We¢re hear!¢ I thought I was dreaming until I saw two lights coming up towards the shelter about 100ft away, I said hello to the hiker who came by the shelter first, but I got no response even though he turned and looked right in my direction. He then turned back and headed for the tent sites with his partner right behind him. I never saw them again. I was on the move by 5:30am and feeling really good, no foot pain, but a slight shoulder problem still hanging in there. I did forget to mention in my journal entry yesterday that I saw two deer just before I hit the bogg area. This is my first encounter with large wildlife in almost 500miles. It was breaf, but it good to see them out there. In 04¢, I didn¢t even get to see a bear in thirteen hundred miles of the hike. I think maybe they can here me coming because of my heavy stepping on the trail. Anyway, I made it to Pierce Pond Lean-to by 10am. Ten miles in 4-1/2hrs is a pretty good time for me, and I didn¢t feel like I was pushing the hike at any time. I¢ve been saying that the miles are longer in Maine, but I guess I¢ve been just a little slower than I thought. When I reached shelter I took my boots off, had something to eat and drink, and relaxed for about an hour before heading out to finish off the next four miles to the Kennebec River. I feel like I could have done a 20miler today, with ease. That feeling doesn¢t come to me very often. I got on my way and the scenery was just beautiful along the waters edge. There were some small water falls, some raging rapids, and all this water making it¢s way to the main river. There were many ups and downs and I really had to watch my step, making sure not to trip on the many roots along the way. I had a pleasant surprize when I looked up there were two hikers I had seen before at the Hiker Hostel in Georgia. It was (Storyteller & 46er) Ann & Warren, I think they reside in Connetticut. We stood there for a moment in shock that we were accually seeing each other for real. Then we hugged each other and then talked about their adventure on the trail. First they said they already had seen NaviGator at a campground and had dinner with her last night, so they knew they would see me on the trail as they hiked south. They are very special to me because when I met them at the hostel, they had an over abundence of weight to get rid of. After dropping the weight, they hit the trail running and I haven¢t seen them again till now. They have had their share of bad luck on the trail as many hikers have this year. They had to leave the trail because of the floods in PA. and Storyteller also was diagnosed with Lyme disease. In order to get back on shedule, they decided to southbound, and I¢m glad they did, otherwise we wouldn¢t be here talking today. We were having a great time talking, but they anxious to get moving so we said our goodbyes with a promise to keep in touch. I figured I would reach the river by 1o¢clock and sure enough I was. I was early, so I had to wait for an hour for Steve and that was fine because it was relaxing to sit by the river and reflect back on the hike. The reality of of how close I am to the end of my journey on the trail, and of all the wonderful people I¢ve met along the way and allthe new friends Navi and I have made. Who knows where our journey in life will take us next. Steve was right on time as he made his way down the embankment with the canoe. It felt great to be in a canoe again because I use to spent many days canoeing in Florida. I still have a canoe I bought many years ago and one of my daughters are keeping for me until the time I can get to use it again. . The trip across the river was pretty quick and you could tell that Steve enjoys his job, and I¢m sure he has many stories about the thousands of hikers he has helped. I enjoyed talking to him. I had to walk the one mile to the Rivers & Trails hostel which Steve Longley owns and operates and it just so happens that I am here for the Rivers & Trails Festival which is today. I told Steve I was meeting Navi here and that we would be staying at a campground. I ended up walking another mile to the campground and Navi showed up shortly after. She was in Bingham doing some food shopping. After catching up on events since we last saw each other, we went to the festival for some burgers, hotdogs, chips, drinks, and entertainment. We had a good time but there was a problem with the no-seeums just eating us alive so we thanked Steve for everything and made our way back to the campground. It was great to be back with Navi again, and tomorrow we will check out the Northern Outdoors Resort where Navi knows there¢s a hot tub to soak in. Great area for a zero day. Nice day today. 14 miles + 2