Date: 2013-06-18
From: Long Pond Stream Lean-to

To: Shaw's - Monson, ME
Miles today: 15.1

DAY 9MILES ON AT FOR DAY= 15.1MILES TOTAL FOR DAY= 15.1Today was the day we would be out of the 100- mile wilderness and into civilization again! Woohoo! It was time for that...and a shower and laundry was going to be MUCH needed! We had another 15 mile day ahead of us but then at least we would be sleeping in beds tonight! We had trifecta oatmeal and coffee, bandaged our foot wounds, and were out by 7:30am. The terrain would not be nearly as tough as far as elevation goes as the past few days which was good. We had a few quick steep blips but nothing too serious. Our day began with a river ford but it had a rope which was nice. We had another 4 or 5 fords but ill take that any day over elevation or bad weather. Speaking of, the weather was the best it had been yet I think! It was gorgeous out! Right after we crossed our first ford we hit a big milestone... 100 miles on the AT! Pictures were necessary of course.We began to hear the hum of logging machinery so we knew we weren't too far out now and that noise lasted the whole rest of the way. We got to Little Wilson Falls, which was about our half way point for the day, and they were beautiful! The way they cut into the slate looked awesome. The pictures to follow will do it no justice. There were quite a few hikers on the trail around the falls and onward. We saw many more hikers than we had seen on the whole trail so far... Probably being so close to a town. It was a sign that we were getting there! We were half way but there was no stopping for too long! We had good and showers on the brain! It's amazing how much those simple daily things drive you when you're out there on the trail. Later on, about 5 miles from town, we did decide to stop quick and eat. As we were resting another thru-hiker came by. His name was Ben. He had actually started the Day after us on the trail but had caught up to us! I was impressed by his mileage. We told him we had already called for a ride and he could join us since we all had the same destination. We ended up all generally walking together the rest of the way. That feeling of hearing the cars passing each other on the highway in the distance ahead made me feel like a bug after a light. We started picking up the pace. We had to get there! It felt so good to finally reach the southern terminus of the 100-mile wilderness and then 0.1 miles later hit the highway. We had finished it! There was so much more ahead but it was such a great accomplishment! It made me feel like "OK maybe I really CAN do this!"The three of us got picked up by one if the owners at Shaws and we got shuttled back to where we had started! We signed in, cleaned up, changed into clean clothes, and headed for the pub! We went to the Lakeshore Pub and had wings, loaded fries, and beer (clients obviously I wouldn't normally eat this way While there we met a ton of other hikers. We finally met the infamous "Stoners with Boners". Now to explain, whoever this group of boys was I had seen in the register at Katahdin, and then everyday forward. At the beginning of the trail you sign in and at each Lean-to is a journal that everyone will write a note about their day or the trail conditions ahead or so on. Since Day 1 we had seen them writing stuff or tagging themselves on the Lean-to itself and I was just curious, who are these said "Stoners with Boners" who are really only a day ahead of us?! Well it was a group of 4 boys... and they were certainly stoners (no Boners I hope)... But they had a great energy about them. Fun and optimistic and just pumped to be doing to the trail. They were making it more of a 5 month party but who cares! The trail is whatever experience you want to make it. I'm sure ill end up leap-frogging with them along the way.Food was great, talked with some hikers and real friendly locals, and then that was it. It was time for bed while the other hikers stayed at the pub and drank more to watch the basketball game. I was wiped and I would see them all in the AM for AYCE breakfast. We had averaged 13.4 miles a day so far and that was far more than I expected from myself in the beginning. Thats almost a half marathon everyday!... with 30lb packs...and uneven terrain! sounds crazy when you think of it that way. That said, tomorrow will be my first "zero day", which in hiker terms just means a day off (0 miles covered). Ill be able to resupply, reconfigure my pack, and relax. Looking forward to it Finally back at Shaws! Till tomorrow!