Date: 2006-07-20
From: Stratton, Me

To: Near N Branch Carrying Place Stream, Me
Miles today: 11.7

I woke up at 5 again this morning and wasn't in a hurry because we decided to take 2 days to do the next 20 miles instead of trying to do 20 miles before the ferry ride across the Kennebec ends at 4pm each day.I was over at Stratton Diner at 6am having breakfast and coffee.I finished up a few things that needed to be done before I left and sent in a journal entry, then went ahead and posted it since there is high speed internet here at the Stratton Hostel.Mrs Gorp and I just hung out at the hostel talking to a few hikers, then went up to Mainely Yours Restaurant and ate luinch before heading out to the trail.Mrs Gorp drove me out to the trailhead off an old logging road and dropped me off.I'm walking south today back to Flagstaff Rd and picking up the car.Mrs Gorp is walking north from Flagstaff Rd and we will set up our tents near the logging road tonight.When Mrs Gorp dropped me off, a sobo by the name of Trail Grazer came walking by.We had met in the 100 Mile Wilderness when his name was John.He and I walked along the trail talking for about 30 minutes before we came up to North Wind and 2 other sobo's that were sitting on the shore of East Carry Pond.Trail Grazer stayed with them and I continued walking.I was still getting a nice breeze in off the pond, but when I got into the woods again, the deer flies started buzzing me.I walked by the side trail to West Carry Pond Lean-to without stopping, then crossed paths with Mrs Gorp at 3:40pm.She's walking north today and seems to be having a good walk.I crossed Long Falls Dam Rd where there is a painted 2000 mile mark on the road.I took a picture of that with my hiking poles laying in the road, even though I've only gone about 900 miles on this trail so far this year.It was an easy walk today with only a couple 500 to 600 foot hills to climb, but I was glad to get to the car, turn on the a/c and get away from the deer flies.I knew I had been walking at a pretty good pace today, so I figured I would be early.I decided to drive into town and pick up sodas and sandwiches for dinner....that sure sounded better than ramen. :-)))When I found my way back down the logging road and found the trail, Mrs Gorp was just walking out of the woods....perfect timing!!She was real happy to get a quart of orange juice, a ham hoagie and a piece of carrot cake. :-)))We sat in the car and ate dinner.There must have been 50 deer flies buzzing around the windshield trying to get in, but for the moment, I was enjoying a sandwich and a coke and no bugs could get me. :-)))It started getting late, so I walked out and found a couple flat spots to set up at.When I got in my tent, I must have left the door open too long because I had a bunch of no-seeums inside and the buggers were biting me.I hadn't been having any problems with those buggers, so I was surprised when I started getting bit.Mrs Gorp heard me and said she only had a couple that bit her.I layed in my tent with my headlamp on and when I would spot a no-seeum landing on the silnylon, I would smash it.I did that for about 40 minutes before I felt like I got most of the buggers.I couldn't journal, so I just itched and eventually fell asleep.