Date: 2016-08-02
From: Little Bigelow Mountain, ME

To: East Pond Carry, ME
Miles today: 14.1

Day 9714.1 miles in 8.5-ish hoursLittle Bigelow Mountain (2013.6) to East Carry Pond, ME (2027.7)Weather: Sunny, pleasant, less windyDinner: Curry Noodle BowlHikers: SOBOs, a few passing NOBOs, four young people from Wisconsin camping at the beachWildlife: Loons and seagullsI slept rather well last night despite the fact I was literally wedged between a rock and a hard place. And the wind blew all night. My little nest held a small pine tree keeping me from rolling away from the boulder and blueberry bushes haloed my head. Spirit laid out her Therm-o-rest and sleeping bag atop the largest boulder. We awoke as the sun was rising¢4:50 a.m., although the sun wasn't reaching our boulder beds and it was still cold. Decided to start hiking to a more protected area to eat our first breakfast. I¢ve been dropping reports of wildlife sightings because there have been none beyond the usual woodland squirrel/chipmunk/chickadee varieties. I am still keeping my eye out for moose, especially since we have seen so much moose poop on the trail. And we saw a lot within the next half mile between our cowboy camp and breakfast nook. Last night we had convinced ourselves that the moose don't come this high and Spirit, in particular, would be just fine sleeping along, what was essentially, the middle of the trail. Well that might not have been the case at all, but no mm large mammal disturbed our repose.Despite our early rising, we took our time making breakfast and didn't really start hiking in earnest until well after 8 a.m. The trail descended over exposed granite slabs and amidst more blueberry patches, then into the woods and to the shores of Flagstaff Lake. We met a group of day campers who had left trail magic: fresh peaches and homemade energy balls (chocolate, oatmeal, sugar bombs¢yum!) Yeah! Second breakfast that isn't bar-based! Except for West Carry Pond, the rest of the day consisted of more utilitarian hiking¢lots of woods with few views. For a time, it did feel like work¢even though the elevation remained flat. But sometimes I am just making miles to get to the next camp site. Streams have been really low or dry the last few days, but we are seeing lakes and ponds all the time now. I think the dryness is responsible for the almost utter lack of mosquitos. I haven't used repellent in weeks.Our campsite tonight is another stealth spot¢this one right on a small beach along East Carry Pond. Another good one. We stopped early¢at 4:30¢and soon, after four young people arrived intending to camp here as well. Turns out they are all from Wisconsin¢two thru-hikers joined for a few days by another couple.The wind died down completely and sand flies have made a biting appearance. Spirit made a small fire, the kids are playing cards in their tent and there are loons and seagulls making themselves known on the glassy water. Also something else is splashing around out there, but it is now much too dark to tell. Awaiting stars again tonight, although I don't think I can wait for the Milky Way to appear. Also no cowboy camping. I have my tent set up to escape the flying little piranhas and it includes a rain fly.