Date: 2010-07-08
From: Abol Bridge, ME

To: Rainbow Stream Lean-to, ME
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Trail Journals -- 100 Mile WildernessJuly 8, 2010 -- Abol Bridge to Rainbow Strean Lean-To So, game on. Today was a good day of hiking. My first day away from the family. Baxer Park was spectacular. Completely different from down south. On my 23rd birthday, Dad and I hiked from Katahdin Stream Camp to Abol. Nothing special, but hiking along these ponds is something else. I keep waiting to see a moose, but it hasn't happened yet. Just frogs, squirrels, mosquitoes and flies. Damn flies. On the 6th, we did Katahdin, and what a trip it was. The day started off with rain at 4 am, so we decided to hike up to Chimney Pond (3.3 mile) and ask the ranger up there if it was okay and would be a good day. The Jersey Ranger practically guaranteed it would be, so we started our climb up the Dudley Trail (1.1) to the Knife Edge. However, the next 5 hours would have much more climbing than hiking. The Trail was literally not much more than a series of blazes going up a cliff. A climbing route more like it, but after it all, we ran across the Knife Edge jumping over boulders and crevasses to reach the top. Spectacular! What a way to start a thru-hike, but as it turns out, the thru-hike would havve to wait a day because I was so sore. So, I took my first zero and spent time with the family. It turned out to be the best choice, and as a fellow hiker named Schlep pointed out, "Don't fight the zero." Wise Words. So, we relaxed, ate, went out to the lakefront in Baxter, and essentially, tried to just enjoy being a whole family before we were to be divided up again. Almost made me not want to leave... But I did. That brings us to today, July 8th. I covered a little over 14 miles today and stopped in early at Rainbow Stream Campsite. Even though I hate the shelter design here, it is nice and right next to a stream. I know the sound of water is going to take me away to sleep and I cannot wait, but when I first got here, I spied a swimming hole and couldn't help myself. The water is perfect for swimming, and I almost didn't get out. A girls camps and 2 NOBOs passed by while I was cooking. Hope I have the shelter to myself and the flies, which incessantly buzz in my ears and bite me. So, I just put my head net on. I've been wearing it most of the day because it brings me sanity. The flies are enough to drive you crazy, and I don't even want to mention the mosquitoes. Yet, it is comical when they land on my net, come in contact with the permethryn, and bounce of my shoulders on their way to the ground and death. I might have put too much on it, but the lesson of the day is now all flies are foes because dragon flies are your friend. I stopped twice today in an area where there were many, many dragonflies. I think they must eat mosquitoes and other flies because those were the rare moments when some sort of bug was not biting me. In addition, I hate to say that I have 2 blisters on my heels. Not bad ones, but nevertheless, blisters. I guess Mrs. Grove and my parents were right. Darn. I should have gotten my boots sooner. Oh well. Tomorrow, I'm pushing 18 miles, but first, I'll relax and soak my feet or just go skinnydipping.