Date: 2017-10-03
From: Stealth Campsite by Rainbow Lake

To: Katahdin Stream Campground
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: clear sky

10/3Stealth Campsite by Rainbow Lake to Katahdin Stream Campground17.8 miles Total miles: 2184.6It was another early morning, and I was already getting started when my alarm went off at five o'clock. Today's goal was the Katahdin Stream Campground at the base of my final summit. The weather today was absolutely beautiful and a bit warmer than yesterday. I went down to say goodbye to Rainbow Lake and to capture its morning look in a photograph. The first objective today was Rainbow Ledges, which proved to be an easy ascent, which felt more like a walk in the woods. There was a great view of Katahdin, again drawing ever larger. The last few miles of the 100 Mile Wilderness passed by quickly. Less than a mile to the end of the Wilderness, as I was crossing yet another bog on a boardwalk made of split logs, I noticed a set of wet dog prints on one of the logs. I became excited, because it didn't take the deductive reasoning of Sherlock Holmes to realize that the prints were probably Maple's, and they had to be fresh since they hadn't dried yet in the sun. I was soon standing on Golden Road, the road into Baxter State Park. I turned right and followed the road to Abol Bridge, the entrance to the park. Sure enough, a red minivan was parked by the bridge, and there I caught up with Maple, Jason, Boomer, Special T, and Scout. Dogs are not allowed in Baxter, so Maple's hike is done. I got to meet Jason's parents and sister, and we had a great chat about the wonderful attributes of their son and his dog. Scout encouraged me to go stand on the bridge, which turned out to be another excellent vantage point in which to view Mount Katahdin. I am thrilled that I will be summitting on the same day as Jason and Boomer, who have become two of my favorite people on the trail. I crossed the bridge and stopped at the store there and met Long Jon, the Trail Steward for Baxter State Park. He explained how the park operated and helped me register for a campsite at Katahdin Spring Campground. As I have come to expect in Maine, Long Jon was as helpful and as friendly as he could be. I know he has worked with hundreds of thru hikers completing their journeys, but he made us all feel special. Each site in the campground can hold up to six people, so Sir Poops-A-Lot and his girlfriend, Corrina, joined Gravity, Tengo, and me at Campsite #24. I've known Sir Poops-A-Lot for awhile now. I'll never forget when someone asked him how he got his trail name. He gazed at the questioner for a few seconds and slowly responded, "Well, it's because I poop a lot." He is a fine young man, and we were all glad to meet Corinna, who joined Sir Poops-A-Lot to hike the Wilderness with him. There was a strong feeling of reaching a major goal at the store (not to mention food, coffee, and Gatorade), so I had to shake myself and remember that I still had over ten miles to hike through the park to reach the campground. I left the store around 1:00 for my final destination short of the summit itself. Most of the ten miles was easy hiking, following for a good while alongside the Penobscot River, another spectacular sight. The trail was not without its challenges, however. In fact, I had a bit of a problem while attempting to cross the lower fork of the Nesowadnehunk Stream. I have successfully crossed literally hundreds of streams and brooks in the past six months by rock hopping and log balancing. Today, with just ten miles to go, I had my first mishap. I first crossed half the stream on a pair of narrow logs that were supported by a large boulder in the middle. From that boulder, there was a second boulder, but I determined it was too far for this old man with short legs to jump to it. I was perched rather precariously on the boulder surveying the situation and noticed a small, wet rock below the boulder I was on and adjacent to another boulder that I thought would get me closer to the bank. I attempted to step down to the rock, but my foot slipped off of it. I went knee deep into the stream but was able to catch myself by falling into the large boulder. As it turned out, the only consequences were me being wet up to my knee with a skinned up left elbow. No harm done, but it did serve as a reminder that the journey isn't over until it's over. I took a brief side trail to see Little Niagara Falls, and received yet another great view of another beautiful waterfall. I met a very nice couple near there, named Cookie and Dennison. We chatted for awhile, and they asked me how I felt I have changed and what effect my hike has had on me. I didn't have much of an answer, but we spent a good while talking about the beauty of the place we were in, and I offered to defend their state of Pennsylvania against all comers. I was in a contemplative mood anyway, and I had miles of relatively easy walking to think upon the upcoming completion of my hike. As a distance runner, I have often had people ask me what I think about while I am in the middle of an hours-long practice run. I've never been able to answer that question with any answer other than, "You know, I think about stuff." Today, I made an effort to keep track as my mind wandered from the people I have met and the adventures I have had, to the excitement of returning home to friends and loved ones and what new adventures I will be finding, to the people who have contacted me through my journal and what it has meant to them. I made one actual decision. Jason and Boomer both attended Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. I plan on modeling two of the 1920s era buildings from the school on my model railroad, which terminates in Boone. Jason and Boomer will be by one of the buildings holding books, while Maple will be beside them with papers in her mouth. "But, Teacher, my dog really did eat my homework!" In a more serious vein, I also thought about the fact that while the actual hiking part will soon be over, in what directions will this journey now lead me? I really don't have any answers yet. Also, this being the AT, it was never long before a huge root wad, rock scramble, or muddy bog would show up that required undivided attention and interupt my reverie. I was reminded again of one fact of the trail, which is to always remain in the moment. I was crossing a long boardwalk over a muddy bog and had almost gotten to the end of the last flattened log. I looked up for a second to see where the trail would lead, and with my very last step before leaving the boardwalk, my left foot slipped off of the log, and I went ankle deep in oozy mud. Lesson relearned yet again. I made it to the campground and was heading for the Ranger Station when I heard someone yell, "Stick!" I turned and found myself running across the field to share a big hug with Mechanic. Right behind him was Pippi. These two tremendous people summitted today, and I am so happy that I was able to see them again. We have been sharing text messages, but nothing is as good as actually seeing them. I was also able to meet Pippi's mom and dad, who were there to share this special moment. So many of my friends are finishing, as Juan Gone, Uncle Puck, and Splat have all sent me their summit photos, in addition to Dapper Dan and Alex. Splat and Bartender summitted with their fathers, which seems extra special. I guess tomorrow I will begin sending out my summit photo, which hardly seems possible. I'll also be seeing Sandy and Beau's dad, Kim, who will be here to share my completion. Gravity, Tengo, and I will be hiking up together, which seems like a fitting way to bring this stage of my journey to an end. Of course, it is late now, and Katahdin is a very challenging climb, so I'll close and go back to sleep, remembering that I need to remain in the moment.