Date: 2008-04-22
To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: clear sky

I woke up early and was the first one up. I quietly (hopefully) went outside and lowered my food bag which was attached to many others on the cables.I made my morning moosh of oatmeal and some kind of energy bar?Within a half hour most everyone was getting up or starting to.Packed up and moving out, I could tell it was going to be a very warm day.It turned out to be a very hot day. The climbs are demanding and strenuous.First up, was Devils Tater Patch at 4,775 ft. Once on top,you head back down.Put in a few more miles of ups & downs then climb up the east peak of Thunderhead at 5,527 ft.Along the way I passed a couple of shelters. Usually myself and others will stop, make an entry in the shelter register, find a water source and fill up then move out. The shelter registers are excellant for communication and entertainment. You can keep track of others, leave messages and enjoy art work or read tales of laughter or woe at someone else's expense.10 hours of hiking, climbing, a few breaks and doing just under 12 miles. It has been a long day. Maybe it seems more so right now, as my knee has been excrutiatingly painful on the downhills.I have already had the "talk" with them. I have told my knees we are going to Maine. You can either walk there or I will drag you, but we're going.Next I remind them, Pain is nice, pain is fun, pain is your friend.I have also noticed that being at elevation with little cover that I'm getting sun burned, the tops of my ears are even peeling.Eventually Derricks Knob Shelter came into view. After last night in the shelter, I am pitching my tent. I know there are rules, I try and follow most of them, however, sometimes there are limits.Our little tribe found a spot away from the others and we just talked the rest of the night. I don't want to give the impression that we aren't social. In fact quite the opposite. However, we do enjoy each others company. I believe I mentioned before how it seems like we were all brought together for some reason?We sat and watched the sunset as well, while drinking a tiny bottle of wine in which we had been carrying. I later retired to my tent. I thought of my loved ones back home and hoped they were safe? I have not been able to speak with them as the opportunities have been lean. I hope they know and are not worried for me? I am fine, I am real fine.This is an incredible experience and it only gets better and better.You just never know when you wake up in the morning, what the day is going to bring? Even though it is a long way off and I usually live in the moment, I momentarily think of, one day this trip will actually end? (Too sad, must get back in the moment). This is an excellant example on enjoying the journey rather than being fixed on the destination. I remember reading in previous journals from those whom had reached Katahdin before. Most of them stated that if they had it to do all over again or would do something different, they would slow down. There was a lot of regret in not taking the time to enjoy "this", or walk a little ways off trail to see or do "that". I have not forgotten this and I have hiked my hike accordingly. It seems that those I have been travelling with share this same philosophy. Did I mention what a great time I am having?