Date: 2016-08-28
From: Moxie Bald Shelter

To: Maine Hwy15
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Easy flat terrain to start off with today. I was also motivated to get to Monson earlier rather then later so I could get there to take care of business and hopefully enjoy half the day just relaxing. I ran into another hiker going sobo that I was very familiar with named "Pony." Pony is a couple years younger then me and is a very strong and fast hiker. He is one of the few hikers my age that is faster than me. My defense (excuse) though is I have never been 100% when we have hiked together. If you haven't figured it out already you now know I do have a major problem accepting that someone is faster than me!Pony has overcome some obstacles on his hike. The first one being Lyme's disease where he had to leave the trail and return home to Colorado to recover. I met him in New York where he had returned to the trail. His second obstacle was he had to return home once again, this time, to take care of his elderly mother. So now he is forced to flip flop to finish his hike. I have no doubt he will finish.Pony told me that he had issues in Baxter Park with the rangers as far as getting a permit to summit. He thought it was because he was sobo. I guess if you are sobo you are not eligible to stay at the shelter called the "Birtches." The "Birtches," Pony told me was only for nobo hikers. Hopefully I will get a clearer understanding of the logistics of summiting Katahdin at the ATC station in Monson. I wished Pony good luck and said goodbye.I got to Hwy 15 a little before noon. I was just in time to see a trail angel drop off a couple hikers. He offered to give me a ride into Monson. In Monson, the first stop was the ATC substation. I went in and saw the same ridge runner I met a few days ago. She explained I had to sign up for the day I was going to summit.So I signed up for September 3rd. I was still confused about how I would reserve a spot at the shelter called the "Birches." To the best of my understanding it seems I have to sign some type of a list as I enter Baxter State Park. Confusing, I'll figure it out I'm sure so no more stressing about it. I have a card and I'm in the computer system.The trail angel, a past thru hiker (I wish I could remember his name), gave me a ride to the hostel. The Lakeshore House & Pub is right on the shore of Lake Hebron. I went into the bar and checked in. A waitress took my money and then took me upstairs to the hostel and gave me a quick tour.Once again I paid a little extra to have a private room. I showered and used some loaner clothes. I put in my laundry and then went downstairs to eat and check out the selection of beer. After eating and drinking a few adult beverages, I walked next door to a small bakery/store to resupply. Supplies were very limited at the bakery so I walked a little further to a gas station/store to get a few more things. I wasn't exactly satisfied with my resupply but it will have to do.Big party going on in the pub tonight. It is a Sunday night and 2 am and it is loud down below me and I can I hear a lot of people yelling outside. Oh well, on the trail I dream about getting to a hostel or hotel for a relaxing night in a bed. In reality I probably sleep much better in my tarp tent out on the trail.