Date: 2011-09-23
From: Abol Bridge Campsite

To: AT Lodge - Millinocket
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: light rain

I'm sitting in the laundromat in Millinocket. Of course, where else would I be if I'm in town. I got a ride in with a cute 'couple' from South GA - Susan and Ware. I sort of hijacked them in Baxter State Park and asked for a ride before they'd even done their walk. As I've said, you can't be shy if you are going to be a thru-hiker! They walked only a little ways; Susan said she just wanted to be able to say they'd been. It's quite a long drive from there into town. I had lunch at the AT Cafe and got Trail Magice - a sweet couple from Michigan paid for my meal. Thanks! I didn't even get their names. While waiting for my from from BSP I was talking with a great lady from Chicago. She is a docent with the art institute and does boat trips and other excursion. Her name is Barbara, very interesting to talk with.Interesting night at Abol Bridge. Not a very big place on the Penobscot River. The logging trucks use that road all night. I had my earplugs in but was awakedn by a loud truck going over the bridge at 3:30 this morning. I slept ok. It was warm and damp. We got a bit of rain. I got up right at 6am and was walking by 7. It cleared up nicely - I had a decent view of Mt K from the bridge and much better views and pics later in the morning. The Trail was pretty good. There were definietely places of rocks, roots and muck. The real surprise was the 2 river crossings. Oh my! I got soaked to my crotch the first one and clear to my waist on the second. The first one really scared me when I slipped and had to grab a rock - the flow was heavy - I was determined not to go down. Thank You, Lord!The last 1 - 1.5 miles was beautiful. Seeing those Katahdin signs and then being in the park was very strange. Almost like a dream. I can't believe I'm really here. If I had arrived an hour earlier I probably would have summitted today. It was a beautiful clear day. But, at 11:30, I felt it was too late to make it down in the daylight. And, I really wanted to get to town and have some down time. It took a bit longer than I expected to get a ride. The guide-books need to have more information. Also, with no cell service, a hiker is stuck until people are leaving with generally isn't in the morning.All's well that ends well. I have the last private room at the AT Lodge. I talked to them about a shuttle back to the park in the morning then back to the Lodge.There is a 40% chance of rain in the morning per the forest ranger. I'm going regardless. It's time to end this adventure and go home.LaterOk, I'm about as ready for this last leg of my adventure as I'll ever be. Shuttle leaves at 6:30AM and return at 15:30. I'm really nervous. Guess I've heard too many tales of the hard climbs over the rocks. It can't be more difficult than anything else I've done, right? With You by my side I can do anything, Lord! I'm praying for safety and decent weather.Talked to G, just had to hear his voice. I can't make the train schedule work so I'm flying home from Bangor on Monday evening. Not as I had planned but, hey, FF miles so it's costing just $10. That's pretty good plus I'll get to spend Sunday and Monday in Bangor...shopping! LOL, G said to buy a pair of pants and get my hair done. Gotta love a man who encourages spending $$. And, I do love him.Tonight I'm so grateful for the beautiful day and the beautiful walk. That last mile was tough emotionally. Mt. K....here I come!Hike on!Scribbles