Date: 2006-08-10
From: Abol Pines Campground

To: Katahdin Stream Campground, Baxter State Park
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: light rain

It was a short walk into the park along rushing streams and waterfalls. I stopped to gaze across a lake and spotted a loon. Reaching for my camera I looked down then back up to see no loon. I had forgotton they swim underwater to elude predators and to fish. It stayed under a good minute then resurfaced a good distance away. About a mile from the campground I crossed an interesting zig-zag log walk at the end of a lake where a couple were lounging, enjoying the view and waiting, perhaps for a moose sighting as the lake as full of reeds near shore. We chatted for quite a while and they plyed me with fresh peach slices. I couldn't turn them down. Back underway, I met an older couple hiking who asked if I were a thru-hiker. When told yes, they asked if I remembered Sunfish Pond in New Jersey. As I had just hiked by there last week, I enthusiastically said yes, of course. They then informed me proudly, and rightly so, that they maintain that stretch of the AT. What a small world.Heather Parker had reserved site 24 in the Katahdin Stream Campground so upon arriving I began to check numbers. he first site was #6 so down the road I go only to meet Mike Parker and hi friend Troy (Florida) and James (Scotland) who would be sharing the site with me. It seems they had just arrived. What great timing. Amazing. We headed for the site and proceeded to set up a HUGE tent, easily 10x10. It took up most of the site so they graciously offered to let me share it instead of settin up my tent as well. When all was ready, they ate lunch and set off for the falls. I elected to stay at the tent since I had been walking a while and had seen the falls on my way into camp. Not long after they left, it began to rain. I just took advantage of the luxurious space and wrote a bit in my journal and read a bit and took a nap. The entry fly on the tent was erected to allow the guys to stand beneath (Mike is 6,5") and tended to collect rainwater that periodically emptied itself i! n a rush. After a couple of hours two things happened, first I noticed my sleeping bag was wet on the side leading me to notice water coming up thru the floor by capillary action (no ground cloth) and, second, the fly collapsed when a stake pulled loose. Out I go into the rain and re-set the fly then back inside and put my ground cloth under my pad and bag. Soon the guys return, soaking wet proud the tent is still standing. When told and showed the tent floor, they decided to go to the van and change into dry clothes. Soon they returned for their cooking stuff as they were going to "tailgate" or cook under the raised rear door of the van. Also, they thought they might sleep in the van if I thought I could find a dry spot in the tent. I said OK. After the rain stopped the ranger came around to collect fees. Nice guy. Mike produced paperwork and after the ranger left the guys came back to the site deciding it would be more comfortable seeping in the tent and built a fire to d! ry their shoes and clothing. We had a fun time. Their parents should be proud to have sons like them.