Date: 2014-08-11
From: Sabboth Pond Lean-to

To: Rangely, Maine
Miles today: 9.4

This day was to be the least hard of all the days I have hiked in Maine (at least for THIS part of Maine) I awoke very early and heard the long, low calling of bull-like animals!! I am SURE they were moose! It was awesome to hear them calling out, then there would be a response. OK, good, now I have seen moose poop AND heard their calls, but still no sighting. We packed up (so much easier having things spread out for packing on the platform vs. scattered on the ground). I had a hiker tell me that late yesterday afternoon Bagheera hiked right by in front of our tents!! He was one of my favorites out here. We befriended each other as I unknowingly stole his place in the shelter in the Smokies one night. He was very polite and let the 'old lady' (me) have the spot in the shelter. Then I saw him in the Shenandoah's and JUST missed him one more time in Maine. He is a strong hiker and will be knocking on Katahdin's door before long!Hiking today was only mildly hard with short lasting technical rock areas. We had a wonderful treat at our 'break time'. We stopped at a campsite and there was an unlocked canoe with paddles and lifejacket, just sitting pretty as you please, available for a spin around the lake. I didn't think too long or hard knowing I would treat the sweet canoe kindly and return it just as I found it. It was sweet bliss...no pounding of the knees or weight of the backpack, just a gentle swish of the paddle as I glided forward and circled the lake. I paddled past pretty water lilies with their pretty yellow flowering heads just breaking the water's surface.....so peaceful. A slice of heaven!I brought the canoe back so Kebban could take his turn. I sat on the bank eating a snack and a VERY friendly squirrel came very close several times then would dart away with lightening speed. He would sit and fuss at me from afar. So very cute!This glorious break was over so we 'saddled up' (I guess that makes me the horse The next part of the trail was very muddy and rooty so my right knee was burning. I felt like the small tear in the meniscus was not going to let me rest until I got finished with all the weight-bearing, knee pounding trail.I was glad to see Zig Zag who picked us up to go to Rangely for a zero but I couldn't even muster a smile..I was very upset. I knew I was not going to be able to hike much further. When I got in the car I found out Hushpuppy needed to be driven to Manchester to fly home because of family matters and I made a quick firm decision that my hiking was over for this year. I, too, would take the drive to the airport and head back to Atlanta.I am very emotional about this.... sad. I love the AT but Maine has proved to be so challenging I am getting a little more fearful each day. I truly applaud those who just do it and keep on heading Northward. I wish so badly my knees were better. I have had 5 surgeries between the two knees and they deserve to not be battered anymore. If my knees were strong I KNOW I would never give up and stay out there trekking toward BIG K.In the end, I know I have not failed. I was the big winner this year. Got to see new miles of the trail I had not hiked, made wonderful friends and experienced generosity of trail angels with their trail magic. I persevered hiking without a partner for several hundred miles when I thought I could never do such a thing. I had wonderful helpful partners in the beginning. The memories are forever and they are epic ones!!I will make one more entry with closing thoughts when I can get it all together.You readers/supporters have been an awesome support for my trek on the A.T.