Date: 2006-08-17
From: Caratunk

To: Pleasant Pond
Miles today: 5.7

After another big breakfast buffet, I decided to hike back to the trail, because the NOR shuttle doesn¢t leave until 9-9:30AM. As I was hiking along 201, in a morning sun that had burnt off the early mist, admiring the roadside flowers ¢ were those Jacobs Ladders? ¢ Steve the Ferryman pulled up in his truck and gave me a ride to the trailhead. I did insist that I be dropped off at the road, so that I could hike up to the parking lot ¢ you got to pass all the white blazes you know!   In the parking lot I was delighted - and surprised ¢ to see Bigelow Father and Daughter just about to leave in their car. They had had a very tough time of the 10-mile hike after leaving me at Little Bigelow Shelter, and were now day hiking around the area. I was happy to have the chance to apologize to them for not offering them one of my water bottles. They assured me that, whatever problems they had had, the lack of water bottles had not contributed to their misfortunes. It is good to feel that those, who might have been offended by them, forgive your actions.   A very pleasant hike up from 201 on a smoothly rising trail. Even though it was uphill, the grade was so slight, it was as if it were level. About half way up Holly Brook joins the trail ¢ I love streams ¢ and gurgled and chuckled to keep me company on a pleasant sun-dappled foot candy trail.   On the ascent I met with Old Goat - who incredibly knew me from reading my entries on trailjournals ¢ and Sleeper ¢ an anesthesiologist from Atlanta - both on their way to Big K. We all had a nice chat.   Soon after they left me, I met them again, talking with Kevin ¢ a young hiker who had been stung by a bee. He was so concerned by the possible adverse effects of the sting, that he was coming back down to 201, intending to seek help at the nearest hospital. A hurried consultation between Sleeper and myself concluded that, after 2.5 hours of the sting and with no symptoms or complaints, with a dose of Benedryl, he was good to go. A much-relieved Kevin joined Old Goat and Sleeper, as they hiked up and away out of sight.   Even though I was at my Minimum Hiking Pace ¢ MHP - I was soon at the shelter. It turns out that the shelter is not on the banks of the pond. It is another 0.2 miles to a road and a sign that welcomes you to the pond, but also says that it is private property ¢ that you can visit - but it has a long list of things that you cannot do at the pond ¢ and then concludes by inviting you to enjoy yourself! The pond itself is very nice, but there is significant real estate development along the shore, with marinas and boats aplenty. The ¢sandy beach¢ does exist, but is comprised of a very, very narrow strip of sand   Returning to the shelter for lunch, I was visited first by a series of families from NOR, out to climb ¢The Mountain¢ but a little hazy as to where it was. Then two section hikers stopped by on a section hike from Caratunk to Monson. Two NOBO thru hikers ¢ Thor and Sven ¢ who are brothers, stopped by for lunch and a swim in the pond, but have now also left to push on north.   There are two large garbage bags filled with trash here at the shelter. The shelter itself is very close to the road and has all of the negative effects of proximity to civilization. There is a good close by water source, but despite an extensive search I can¢t find the privy ¢ despite a sign pointing the way!Thought for Today ¢   ¢The high soul goes the high wayAnd the low soul goes the lowAnd in between, on misty flats,The rest drift to and fro.But the high soul goes the high wayAnd the low soul goes the lowAnd each man must chooseThe way his own soul should go¢