Date: 2008-10-03
From: Wadleigh Stream Lean-To

To: Rainbow Lake
Miles today: 16.0

I woke up to a very cold morning. I was the first one up and stirring. I quietly ate my breakfast without leaving the warmth of my bag. I layed there as long as I could until it was time to get moving and face the moment of truth.My clothes were stiff from being wet and near frozen. They had been too wet to put inside my down bag, so it was grit my teeth and bear it. I had walked over to see the girls and confirmed our tentative plans.My feet were soon so cold they hurt. It took a good half hour before they began to warm up after I started hiking. My feet have been wet for nearly a week, I seem to be fairing better than most but everyone is suffering.The original plan was to do a 19 mile day, After about 16 miles I passed Rainbow Lake and was continuing on until I ran into "Y" & "Vigil Auntie" heading south. That was a real unexpected surprise, we hugged and were glad to see each other. They had been looking for a place to camp, I had passed a good spot and took them back to it. Along the way Sprite & Freckles had shown up.We all went back to this spot just off the trail. It was kind of flat if you tilted your head and was in front of a large rock face that blocked a lot of wind. This was too good to pass up so we all camped together. Y & Vigil Auntie had flip-flopped as well and had just recently summited Katahdin. We listened to their experience of summiting, and were getting excited all the more, in anticipation of our summit day after tomorrow.It was cold and the sun would be setting very soon. We ate quickly and had to get creative in hanging our bear bags. It took a few minutes but I was able to rig something with what we had to work with.Earlier today, the rest of my broken molar finally came off leaving mostly just a filling. This is the one that I broke, biting into a cherry pit back in Pearisburg Virginia when I had Pneumonia. I guess I can't really complain, it has lasted for a long time. Hopefully, it will hang in there until I get back home and get to my dentist?We stayed up and talked as long as we could but finally needed to find the warmth of our bags. I'm glad we were able to spend this time together, brief though it was. I have always enjoyed their company and they have mentioned they may come visit me as they sometimes venture north, less than 3 hours from where I live.They also told me that "Bad Wheels" was close behind and we should pass each other tomorrow. He too had flip-flopped and still had 3 weeks to go. He was off again for health issues, but is back on and going to finish. "Y" wanted me to be sure and have him catch up with them so they can hike together. I couldn't help but think how lonely the trail is getting and especially going south? It is the end of the season and not many days are left before the snow falls.As I zip my rainfly shut and zip up my bag, cinching the draw string around my face exposing only my nose, I force myself to think and realize that tomorrow will be my last full day of hiking. Following the day after I will be summiting Katahdin. It just doesn't seem or feel real? I am excited in thinking about the accomplishment, however the reality is, this life I have lived and have grown to love so much is sadly coming to an end. I should be happy and I am, however at the same time I am so very heavy hearted.And what of Sprite and Freckles, We have shared so much together these past months. Will we ever see each other again after this? Will I ever see anyone again? I have family that I love and want to see, but now I have more family and I don't want to lose them.I don't know what to make of all this? It is almost too much, I will have to work through this to understand it fully, and hopefully find resolve.