Date: 2005-09-05
From: Sabbath Day Pond Lean-to

To: Piazza Rock Lean-to 
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: clear sky

Up and gone by 7:15 this morning. Awoke to the wrist alarm, we all wanted to leave around the same time and I did not want to be late (whenever I used the alarm it always brought back memories of "Upper Goose Pond" and those awesome pancakes). I really enjoyed hiking with the three hikers that I was traveling with, it was different for me. The entire trail I never hung out with a group. I tried here and there but those hikers and I never did click so I would move on. What I liked the most about hanging with these three guys was that they had a "free will" about them.    It was hard to explain at first but it came to me as the time went on. For example, we were hiking along and came upon some Canoes beached near the trail next to the "Little Swift River Campsite" at the pond there. They instantly started to prepare to use them, I was reluctant thinking it was someone else's property, eventually we all canoed and had a great time. Their free will inspired me, allowed me to enjoy an experience that normally I would have missed by "just walking by". This went on for quite a few days. Eventually we all went our different ways but for that time period, I enjoyed the trail (in a different way).   Town was close and after about an hour we headed towards ME-4 and the city of Rangeley (an 8 mile hitch to the left). We hitched in pairs, it was easier that way (Buttah and Protieus, Leviathan and I). It took a while to get a ride in to town. We met at a restaurant and afterwards walked to the grocery store. We sat in the parking lot and one of the boys made the suggestion that we carry some food and alcohol to our next planned overnight spot (Piazza Rock Lean-to). We carried some bratwurst, rolls, mustard and a Box "O" Wine (or as my friend Jerry Johnson use to call, "Vino Collapse-O"). A perfect solution to the alcohol question of what to bring, large volume for all and no waste (just burn the container in the fire). As a matter of fact the only waste we had was the mustard container that I carried until it was used up by us all.    We separated and hitched back out of town individually. We planned to meet up at the foot bridge along the Sandy River. Protieus and I were there first and Forever North showed up with his dog Buddy. The two were doing fine and Forever was even in good spirits (for the first time on the trail I saw the man smile). He was talking about a hiker box and how someone left a couple of cans of dog food in it, Buddy apparently ate good that day. His dog was happy so he was happy, how simple is that.    Eventually we all linked up and moved on to Piazza Rock Lean-to. Unfortunately I did not get a picture of this rock formation, I left my camera in camp after we set up and went exploring. It was one of those formations that made me think, "just how many people over the centuries have slept here". An overhang that could sleep a dozen people for sure. I could imagine an Native American hunting party using this as a base camp. We scrambled about the rocks and talked for a bit. Protieus was always inquisitive about my military past, he took it as a compliment when I told him he would do well in my former occupation (and I meant it). He was a very level headed man.       Buttah is a teacher. A comical man who would tell us stories about our American Youth. One in particular about how student's would receive what they called, "The Crazy Check". Parents of these students would have them lie on a Social Services Test giving the illusion that they were Mentally Handicapped. The result would be a monthly monetary amount paid to the parents. The students would brag on how they get that "Crazy Check". Some parents would even give some of the money to their children to entice them to do such a thing (what kind of message does that send to our youth). I could tell it bothered Buttah more then he let on, a man with a passion to teach should not be subjected to such a thing. (Buttah if you ever read this I must say, "don't give up on those kids, our country needs good teachers like you") Enough on that.   Levi teaches as well as a substitute and does great volunteer work. A learned man, a gentleman of the south. Polite and well mannered, you could tell he comes from good stock. I read a fellow hikers journals on this web site that she thought of him as a son (kind of like the same way I related to with Jason (Beat) back on the LT). I did meet Leviathan's parents just after summiting Katahdin, good stock indeed.   That night we were joined by a few other hikers, cooked our food and drank our wine. A good time had by all. Only 218.2 miles left in the trail, the feeling was euphoric. Everyone was talking about how soon it would be over but, not me. Obviously everything comes to an end, it's all a matter of how you control that end. I was on the trail and enjoying myself like never before. I was in my happy place.         Personal note to my wife Brenda that day, Happy Birthday Baby.