Date: 2014-09-16
From: Moxie Bald Mountain Lean to

To: Shaw's Hostel
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: overcast clouds

No rain last night but did hear lots of loons. Up at 6 to the privy then packed up and my cereal. Moving on came to the shelter and the four of us headed out at 7:05. Trail was good with no rocks or climbs. Got to Bald Mountain stream at 8:05. Shoes off and rock skipped the stream. Didn't have to change shoes after all. Continued at a good pace with flat terrain and favorable trail. It had been sprinkling but no rain. Did have my fleece and rain jacket on but ended up taking off my fleece and eventually my jacket since it wasn't raining. Arrived at West Branch of Piscataquis River at 10:35. There was a rope across the river to assist the ford. Changed shoes but I forgot to take out my insoles so they got wet. Water was mid calf level and cold but the rope and poles made it fairly easy. The overall process of fording when changing shoes taking about 25 minutes.Hobbit took the lead now since he was going faster than I wanted to go. Got to Horseshoe Canyon Lean to at 11:05 for a snack break. Hobbit again took the lead when we left at 11:30. We had one more ford at the East Branch of Piscataquis River. Ankle deep water but still changed shoes. After this ford I ended up hiking by myself since they were hiking a lot faster than me. I even tried running to catch up.Moving On stopped at a road crossing to talk with 2 other NOBOs. Rowdy and Hobbit had continued on. After about 2 miles I spotted them but then lost them as they were going a lot quicker. They stopped for a break and I just passed them since they should be able to catch me.The trail ran along streams most of the day or by ponds. We got to ME 14 at 3:40. Moving On's parents were there waiting for her. They offered us cookies and cokes. She arrived soon after. We called Shaw's for our shuttle. Arrived at Shaw's at 4:15.The hostel has a breakfast room, a large kitchen, a common room with the washer and drier, a good resupply room and the various bedrooms on the second floor. Rowdy and I shared a room with 2 beds which also had a TV. Did laundry and showered. Went thru our mail drop and sorted our food for the next 9 days - 7 in the wilderness and 2 more days at Abol and Baxter. Lots of heavy food plus not enough room in the pack. Dawn, hostel hostess, could do a food drop in the wilderness for $80. Talked with 2 others but couldn't coordinate there distances with ours. So we are going to do it ourselves. We also heard Lakeshore Inn will do it if they have 3 drops.At 7 we went to Lake Shore Inn for dinner. Hobbit was there as was Styles. Visited and had dinner with Affirm, Hobbit, and Rowdy. Had a beer with brushetta and pot roast. Very good and just the right amount. Rowdy and Hobbit had the 4 Berry Cobbler.Back to the room at 8 to sort laundry and pack up. Settled up on my room. She accepted my last 2 traveler's checks. So the traveler's check worked out with all but one hostel accepting them even though banks would not.Weather held off today with no rain, again. Cool and good hiking weather. Very fast day. Did another 18 mile day in 8 1/2 hours. Frustrating at times since every on was going fast. Had 3 river crossings which turned out not to be bad. Another great hostel and good food at the Inn. Lots of hikers here with section hikers as well as NOBOs. Monson seems to be a very quiet town with not many businesses despite the AT traffic. The general store is closed but Shaw had good restock items. Tomorrow starts the last week on the trail. Called about the shuttle to Millinocket. It would be $10 if not staying at the hostel.