Date: 2005-09-08
From: Pierce Pond Lean-To

To: Bald Mt. Pond Lean-To
Miles today: 18.3

Hopeful:   Everyone keeps talking about how good weather in Maine can't last long, but we'll sure take it while it lasts! The sun came up and revealed clear skies once again this AM. We were slow to crawl out of the tent until Pappa Razzi turned from his perch on the rocks overlooking the pond and said, "Guys, there's a moose!" Zippers flew open and we raced to the rocks and saw, and heard, across the way a moose splashing in the water. Further scrutiny revealed a second moose, and we realized we were looking at a cow and a calf. We watched, took photos, and walked the shore to get a closer look for a good half hour, until Red Wing was detected by the cow who sent the calf into the woods ahead of her. It was time for breakfast anyway. We scurried to pack up and head to Harrison Camps.   Our chef, Tim, served up his "patriotic pancakes" filled with blueberries, raspberries, and apples. The quantities for each breakfast were as follows: pancakes-12, eggs-3, sausages-3. I couldn't quite finish mine (even though I didn't order the sausage), but Tim bagged up the extra for a later snack. The guys seems to do just fine.   Our start to the hiking day was a little later than we anticipated, but the terrain was smooth, level and fast for three miles. Soon the woods opened up to the Kennebec River. We waved a flag to the guy across the way, and Ferryman Steve hopped in his canoe and paddled over to pick us up. This is the only "ferry" service on the whole AT. In Maine, most streams are left for hikers to ford on food, the Kennebec is a little bit trickier, not to mention the dam that opens up periodically upstream, causing the water to rise quickly. So, Steve, hired by the Appalachian Trail Conference, sits by the river certain hours every day and waits for hikers. Canoeing was a nice change of pace, but it didn't last long. Soon we were in Steve's truck. He gave us a ride to "Rivers and Trails", his hostel, where we were able to resuply at the little hiker store before getting back on the trail around noon.    Flat, smooth, easy were the words for the first six miles. After a lunch break at Pleasant Pond Shelter, we were surprised by the steep climb up Pleasant Pond Mountain. Red Wing declared that perhaps the mountain has been misnamed, it wasn't pleasant! I'm sure part of our struggle (and Pappa Razzi would concur) was the humidity and the strong sun. Yes, who would have though that the journey through Georgia snow would end with the Maine sun? I felt very sticky today, and even swatted a few mosquitoes. Despite the climb and some weariness, we made excellent time to the shelter tonight. Rambler (a flip flopper) rolled in about dark, and we're drilling him with questions about what's ahead as he eats dinner.   A register entry earlier today reminded us that it's the day our friend Beantown had planned to summit, last we knew. What a day for climbing Katahdin! This reminded Red Wing why Beantown chose September 8th--it's the NFL opener tonight (if only shelters had televisions!). This led to a long conversation about Fantasy Football leagues that helped several miles pass quickly (at least for Red Wing).    It's crazy to think that some of our hiking friends are finishing. We really are getting close. Tomorrow we'll be close to Monson, the last trail town. West Senior High School and my Spanish II students have been on my mind a lot this week since schools started on the Tuesday the 6th. It seems like a foreign world which I'll be re-entering very soon. I wondered with Red Wing tonight how I'm going to feel about letting go of the two outfits I've been wearing for five months. Red Wing went on to describe how often he plans to change his clothes the first week or so back. Oh, the simple things that can bring us joy!