Date: 2004-09-12
From: Hikers Paradise Hostel - Gorham, NH

To: Gentian Pond Shelter/Campsite 
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: clear sky

Ah-h-h-h! It's 7 p.m. and I'm back in my tent in the woods. Because of this "hut" system and lack of campsites through the Whites it's been an eternity since I've been able to set up and sleep in my humble abode. All feels so right and I'm a happy camper once again. The past two weeks have been so awesome; sharing the time with my daughter, being in the White Mountains, crossing the Franconian Ridge and then the Presidentials was almost like being transported to a different world, planet, and culture. There were times I felt I was in a Star Trek episode, above treeline, amongst rocks, in the clouds. Society, environment, and vegetation as I knew it was down there, out there somewhere. It was bizarre at times, a bit like a dream. But that could describe this entire adventure.I lie here tonight only 4.7 miles from the Maine border. There's almost a buzz in the air, exuberance clearly visible in the eyes and voices of all northbound thru-hikers. Some fellow hikers refused to stop here tonight, not able to put off one more day their entry into our final state. Katahdin fever has struck and the anticipation of completion of this six-month journey has us all a little giddy. Even the combined dread and concern of crossing Mahoosuc Notch is incapable of turning our moods sour. We've come so far; nothing but debilitating injury will stop us now!After another decent night's sleep in the hostel, I was up and preparing to leave at 6 a.m. I had yogi'd a ride from Mr. Potato Head and his "chauffeur" Jason for getting us to the trailhead this morning. They were happy to be of assistance and, as usual, we were ultra-grateful for their kindness. Impulse devoured the remaining pizza, yogurt, and ice cream from last night. Ursa and I started our day with the usual Access bar. I was thrilled to hit the trail by 7:45. After a zero it always takes a couple hours to rejuvenate the tendons, ligaments and muscles. Zeroes are good for healing but the body tries to rebel when we tell it to resume the torturous repetitive work of climbing. Eventually it gives up the fight and carries on. The muscles warm, the tendons and ligaments loosen up, and we're good to go for another couple weeks and couple hundred miles. I started out stiff and concerned about little painful twitches in my ankles and knees but tonight all is well. The body truly is a miraculous machine!Today's hike was phenomenal. As usual we climbed out of town. Our highest point today was 2750 feet, but our greatest vistas were from Mt. Hayes at 2555 feet and Cascade Mountain at 2630 feet! The climbs and heights seemed easy and minimal after the Whites. If it weren't for the fact that we have some large difficult mountain climbs in Maine, we'd have been in danger of getting cocky, I do believe. Even though we've all gained a good deal of confidence, we're aware southern Maine will quickly cut us down to size! There was plenty of mud on the trail and some submerged wood planks making it impossible to keep the feet dry, but even that didn't dampen our spirits. Tomorrow we enter Maine. Unbelievable!!