Date: 2010-09-02
From: rainbow stream lean-to

To: abol bridge campground
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Got a great night of sleep next to Rainbow Stream. Yesterday was tough and I was so thrilled to awake feeling refreshed and recharged. I normally wake up fairly early but this morning a pesky little mouse felt I should be woken up sooner....maybe there were two.....I could here and see them scrambling around and on my tent! Eeewwww! I guess that is bound to happen when one sleeps with their food bag. Yes....you heard me right...I do sleep with my food on occasion.I love the mornings so I don't mind getting up...in fact I look forward to getting up every day. The days are getting shorter so I have to use my headlamp for about an hour or so while I get ready. The moon was still shining which also provided more peaceful light. There were several people at the campsite but rarely does anyone stir this early....I enjoy the solitude and serenity while I gather my stuff and eat breakfast. Today I took extra long sipping my morning VIA and got on the trail just before 6:30am.The days continue to have a tropical feel and I sweat profusely even though the sun is just making it over the horizon. It's good to get a lot of miles in before the heat of the day takes over. I have to remember to keep hydrated too!The trail continues to be flat but it is an obstacle course of roots and rocks which the feet do not particularly enjoy. At least the pack has lost weight so it's less pounding on the poor old tootsies. There is always a trade off but balance is always found...most of the time that is. The 100 mile wilderness has been absolutely beautiful and I look forward to doing this section again but at a much more leisurely pace. I don't feel like I rushed through it though and took advantage of exploring many sites off the trail. Today I took about a two hour break at Rainbow Lake. There were several large flat boulders just off the shore which I rocked hopped to very easily. The water was crystal clear and I enjoyed a nice long swim....oh how glorious it would have been to have a float! Next time! Afterwards I sat on the warm rocks and brewed up another cup of coffee. Leaving the water the trail did a gentle climb up to Rainbow Ledges....there was a view of Katahdin but the hazy sunshine obscured most of the detail. It was too hot to hang out anyway so I just kept moving. Took another long break at Hurd lean-to...the last lean-to I will visit on the AT.My goal today was Abol Bridge Campground and it was an easy 3 1/2 miles out. About a mile or so from the road I ran into Warren again and while we were chatting Eric appeared! Whoo-hoo! What a surprise! He had an ice cold root beer which was just what I needed! We than walked out together.I got a beautiful camp spot at Abol and as I sit here and write this I have a grand view of Katahdin. Earlier the summit was clear but it is now enveloped in dark clouds. It's sprinkling a little and I hope any rain holds off. Eric stayed here a while and we chatted and ate...he is staying in the park with a big group and I hope to see him again when I summit.So when will I finish? Right now it looks like the 5th! I have reservations through the 8th though just in case.Jibitz