Date: 2016-08-07
From: ME 4 - Rangeley, ME - Mile 1,968.7

To: Woods Road Past Orbeton Stream - Mile 1,982.2
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: light rain

Maine is so beautiful. I was stunned last night as I looked out the dining room window to see a pond (lake) view that belonged in an artist's painting. Today's hike provided a gallery of an artist's work. I review the AWOL Guide every night to consider the challenges presented in the next day's hike. We frequently say that the next enhancement needed in the Guide is a "level of difficulty" component of the trail. I realize now that during this review I am not considering the beauty I am about to see as I seem to be solely focused on what it will take to complete that hike. The photo icon used to designate the opportunity to take a great photo is lost on me and I realize now that I can and need to change that in order to enable me to be excited about what will be witnessed the next day. This hike provides so much more than a physical and mental challenge.   I was concerned about the physical demands of today's hike. My notes included "toughest hike so far", "numerous falls", "almost stopped", and then the most hopeful note "steep, but made good time." See what I'm getting at in terms of my preparation neglecting to consider the next hike's beauty? No wonder I'm tired. I scare myself to death before going to sleep each night. The weather was great today. It was cool throughout the day and there were times I easily could've put on a jacket. It was perfect hiking weather. We didn't envision hiking too many miles today so our pace was relatively easy after Beth dropped us off at the trailhead. Guess I'm never going to get over Beth waving goodbye. Today's wave reminded me of my Mom being heartbroken. She tearfully waved to me as she and my Dad drove away after dropping me off at college. I had little say in where I went to college. All my buddies went to the University of Illinois while I went to tiny, faith-based Grove City College. Would I make out okay there? Would I make out okay today? Beth has an incredibly beautiful smile and it was beaming as she drove by me this morning. So I was pretty quiet this morning as the hike began. I was soon lagging behind Subman and Suds and wondering - okay, now I can't even keep up with them when I'm fully rested and nourished. Like that first college day, face whatever is in front of you - there is no other choice. So lucky then and so lucky now. Old Fox is creating his own "trail magic" as we hike and he falls into line to hike with us. After a few more minutes, I'm hiking with Old Fox in the lead and then he's gone because he's too fast a hiker for me. My legs and arms are working hard to get me up the initial climb. Then the reality hits that the "real" climb up Saddleback Mountain hasn't started yet. Today's first few miles around some ponds are puny in comparison to what is coming. Great - I'm flunking out before even beginning.And then my day turned. First it was Ethel Pond. Didn't see a moose, but didn't have to. These Maine ponds are beautiful in their simplicity. A few minutes later was Eddy Pond. It's too bad I don't have the skill to display in a photo the beauty scene through the trees when a pond or some other vista is visible. I frequently have phenomenal obstructed views of landscapes that will exceed everything after I return home when this hike ends. Before starting the "real" Saddleback Mountain climb, I see a side path that takes me to an unobstructed view of Eddy Pond. It doesn't disappoint but I quickly return to the trail. The ascent seems reasonable now. I've climbed like this in so many states that it's no big deal. Saddleback Mountain reveals itself in layers. I've mentally been calculating how much more of this 1,500 foot climb is ahead. Subman emerges from a thicket behind me and I ask if we're near the summit. Neither of us thinks this climb is over - and it wasn't. Saddleback flattens out with ripples of stone requiring more work that I happily endure. Except when looking straight ahead, I'm now able to look in any direction to see valleys, ponds, mountains, and mountains beyond those mountains. Suds passes me too. But we eventually reach Saddleback Mountain's summit and congratulate each other as our celebratory photos are taken. After taking it in for a few moments, it's time to resume hiking. Next up is The Horn. We descend 500 feet and then reclaim it. The trail's outline is evident. The path is similar to the spectacular Franconia Ridge walk. We have this almost all to ourselves. How that guy running up and down this path is doing it defies my imagination. There's an occasional southbound hiker but not many. It seems this trail may be one of Maine's secrets. It is Sunday. Trail like this in other states would have a lot more people on it than are here today. The Horn provides similar breath-taking views. Saddleback Junior did too. This morning's hike is nothing like I expected. It was much easier than envisioned. Maybe I was swept away by the scenery but the physical demand of today's hike seems cheap in comparison to what has been provided. We hiked to our hoped-for final destination of the day. We take a vote and decide it is too early to stop hiking. Let's get that "toughest hiking so far" 1,500 foot descent behind us. The descent wasn't difficult. Not having to hike in the rain or in wet conditions probably makes this hike very different than what one of my favorite trailjournal writers experienced a few years ago. We're stealth tenting on an old, forgotten road. Stripe joined us here   a few hours ago. We're all glad to have his company. Maybe I can hide a few rocks in his pack tonight so that he can't hike too quickly in front of us tomorrow. I hope to get to sleep soon. I was tired and quickly took a nap before writing this. Staking our tents on this former road was a bit difficult so we reinforced our stakes with rocks in the hope that they will hold. It seems there is a couple tenting near me now. They must've arrived during my nap. A distant noise was heard. She just asked her partner what that was. This path is getting substantial traffic. It isn't human. I hope whatever critters are going by have good night vision. Please don't loosen my stakes. I haven't had my tent collapse on me - yet.