Date: 2015-07-25
From: East Branch shelter

To: Nahmakanta Lake
Miles today: 26.7
Weather: light rain

The scouts were up and out well before us. The best part was that they cleared all the spiders. I left just before 7. Within 0.3 miles, I had to cross a river but at least there were stepping stones. I slipped into a stream a while later and soaked my foot anyway. The trail had a bit more of an elevation climb than I was expecting for the morning. It started drizzling just enough to make me feel slightly uncomfortable and damp but not enough to warrant my rain gear. After the morning climb, the trail was virtually flat for the entire day. There was a little climb towards the end of the day but that was it. All three of us made excellent time. We got to the resupply bucket just before 9, and Smasher managed to find it no problem. I definitely packed too many dinners and not enough sweet snacks. I never have enough snacks. I also packed a Mountain Dew, which gave me an excellent caffeine boost.Just before I stopped for lunch, I nearly bumped into Smasher on the trail. He raised his hands to his head and made antlers. There was a moose! At last! The moose actually didn't have antlers, so that was a bit misleading. Still, it was cool to finally see one. It was in the river and moving away from us. It was really big, obviously large even from a distance- maybe the size of a horse. It seemed to be a bit startled by the loud teenage hikers coming behind us and quickly crossed the river and vanished into the woods. I managed to get a quick photo, but it turned out extremely poor. I stopped for lunch a couple miles later. I had to stick bug spray on just to eat in peace. Smasher joined me and shared some of the bug spray. I left after I drank my Mountain Dew and powered along the trail. I reached the next shelter at 2, and used the privy. The privies out here are all incredibly full. This one also had a giant spider that I initially thought was dead, but dead spiders don't really move. I left very quickly.It took me an hour and a half to get to the campsite. I met a NOBO there who gave me a message from BigBen, that he had continued on. It's easy for him to pass on messages to me, because there are no other women wearing this neon green shirt (probably anywhere else on earth). I also passed by a SOBO hiker who told me that there was trail magic set up at the campsite, only a mile or a mile and a half away. He was lying. It was four miles away. It wasn't even a flat four miles. I felt absolutely exhausted and could feel myself slowing down and I had to keep eating snacks just to keep going. Smasher was a little bit ahead so I kept trying to follow him as he disappeared behind trees, bends, and slopes.I followed a sign for trail magic and met three Trail Angels who had tents and a tarp set up. They had a smaller version of Fresh Ground's Leapfrog Cafe. I was immediately greeted with a giant cookie and crackers. I later got two hot dogs, a hamburger, salad, and some fun sized chocolate bars. Best. Wilderness. Ever.The three of us have set up our tents right beside the beach, and the view is really beautiful. I'm currently drying my socks outside my tent, as the sun is finally shining. There are two groups of 10/11 year old girls who are camping and canoeing around here. It was quite funny to watch them drag and launch canoes. One girl fell face first into a canoe she was pushing into the lake. It's now 8pm, and we've been chatting and eating s'mores (called Churchills- made with choc chip cookies instead of crackers, and peanut butter). I was already so incredibly full, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Smasher has managed to cover his beard with melted marshmallow. I've been watching the sun go down over the lake and watching BigBen take a million selfies. It's been a really lovely evening. After such a long day, it's been so nice to wind down with these friendly and generous Trail Angels (Terry, Lucy I think?). It's made me feel rejuvenated for tomorrow. Tomorrow is the last big day and then two more shorter days. And that's it. All done. I'm so close to the end now. It's still impossible to believe. I don't even know if I will be able to really believe it until I'm all done. I really can't wait until I can take a shower and bath- it's so soon.