Date: 2018-09-04
From: Sidney Tappan Campsite 2114.1

To: Campsite at West Chairback Pond 2100.7
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: clear sky

Woke up this AM to a nice breeze blowing through, it felt good. It was another absolutely beautiful day - comfortable temps and mostly clear skies, I¢m lovin¢ it!!!Maine is known for not putting bridges up to carry the trail across rivers, and I had my first ford in Maine today across the West Branch Pleasant River. There happened to be a couple there at the river just as I arrived, Maine residents out for a dayhike (yes, that¢s right - dayhikers in the ¢remote¢ 100 Mile Wilderness). We chatted for awhile and they were nice enough to take my picture. The water only came up to just over my ankles, but I did have to watch my footing as the rocks were slippery. It¢s my understanding in speaking with local Mainers that they are experiencing a drought its been so dry. I hope for their sake that the drought breaks - but selfishly not till after I¢m out of the state. Or how about this, it can rain at nite as long as the days remain rain free. HaHa, if only it were that easy!I also encountered a Ridge Runner today, I believe my first since Virginia. A nice gal, we chatted and she passed along some information about the trail headed south. I have about 25 miles left to Monson, barring any unforeseen calamities I should get there by Thursday. Am hoping to get there by early afternoon at the latest, so that I have enough time for the usual: laundry, shower, resupply shopping, catching up on messages and eating. Trail hunger hasn¢t really kicked in for me yet, and as it stands I can certainly afford to lose a few pounds. All the weight I lost on my first leg I put back on over the summer - and then some!I continue to cross paths with the northbound bubble. Even though there¢s a number of NOBOs on the trail, I haven¢t had any issues finding a spot to pitch my tent. There¢s plenty of designated campsites/LTs, and it must be that hikers are scattered at locations up and down the trail so that no one site has ever been crowded. Here at tonite¢s campsite there are two other hikers. I today also crossed paths on the trail with two flip-flop-flippers, a lady and her teenage granddaughter (Tadpole and Peanut). How cool is that! I also crossed paths with two lady section hikers who were suffering from blisters. They asked if I had any duct tape, and I replied that I had something better: Luko Tape. They were happy/grateful. My campsite tonite is near a pond, gave me a chance to get cleaned up a bit. As far as the trail is concerned, it kicked my butt again today - but I keep on plugging along like an old stubborn billy goat. Mountains climbed today included Gulf Hagas, Chairback and Columbus. There was a nice scramble up a rock slide on Chairback that was fun - I would have enjoyed it a bit more if I was in better shape. I was whupped at the end of a relatively short mileage day; will give it heck again tomorrow!Missing Kayanne and my family, that¢s the hardest thing about being on the trail. To my Grandkids, have a happy first day back in school this week. Opa is thinking of you and all the family as I hike on down the trail. Am safe, warm and dry in my tent tonite. Goodnite.