Date: 2023-07-21
From: Carrying Place StreamÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ Mile 150.2

To: US Rt. 201 Sterling Inn
Miles today: 7.5

Restful night sleep and up before the 5 am alarm.  The Stream provided white noise that we didn't realize the volume of until we moved farther north up the trail. Although we did wake to the Vermont state bird - The Hermit Thrush. I had tried since 2018 to figure this bird from its song. It sounds like the old carnival tubes that we swung around as kids to make a whistling, whirling sound.  I mentioned it to Recon and he understood my insane description immediately!  Now my favorite bird in competition with the Cardinal of course!  Hiking started the way it ended, with alternating pine soft tread (plus roots) with water logged rocks and mud.  Recon is so keen eyed that he did find Fresh Moose Tracks instead of the usual Weeks to month old signs! Really Cool! We made pretty good time to the Pierce Pond Shelter which was busy with activity. We took a break but moved on to get to the Ferry. We took a look at the Dam Crossing but it was more like a huge waterfall with two separate flows. We and everyone we talked to went the blue blaze to the Harrison's Pierce Pond Camp with a bridge over the Pierce Pond Stream. Once across, we followed that Raging Stream all the way down to the Kennebec.  They call them Cascades, but they were roaring and thundering, waterfall after waterfall!  We had one swift Brook feeding into this river that was difficult to cross but we made it with only one shoe wet.  There was also one portion that went along the stream but was under water long enough for another trail to start forming slightly uphill.  Locals say that this is the highest water levels since the North Kennebec River dam was built. Finally we turned a corner and saw the river below.  Slight set of steps and we were at the river edge, waiting for the Canoe delivery to paddle over to us.  Legal waivers, life jackets, and packs into the canoe followed by Recon in front and me in the middle. Recon paddled with our ATC Maine Guide who went up river in slower water to ride back south to the pullout spot on the east side, safe and sound. 200 Hundred feet up the trail and we were at US  201 and waiting on a shuttle to Sterling Inn. Nothing like a shower, laundry, and restaurant food to make a person feel human again!  We shared a ride and a meal with NoBo Hiker from Belgium. Yet we all seemed to order Fish and Fries at Three Rivers  Trading Post.  Boy was that place hopping!  The rest of the day spent off feet, chatting to other hikers and thinking of resupply for the next section. Most important of all, a phone call to the home front.  Can't imagine how much I miss my wife but so glad she let me go for this adventure.  I know Recon feels the same!  Stayed up too late, splitting a pizza with Recon then Ben and Jerry's mice cream while chatting with a Columbus Hiker that Graduated with an Engineering Degree from University of Dayton. Small world. He hiked the PCT, moved to Colorado and is now experiencing the AT. Good time sharing stories. The next section could be difficult...we meet a SoBO named Hendricks (Like in Jimmy, with a Buff to match) that talked about a work around to a river 4x's higher than normal.  With off and on showers this afternoon, and more expected tomorrow, it doesn't seem to be lowering any.  I am just trying to Keep the Faith and Keep HikN^ with Recon.