Date: 2005-08-02
From: Piece Pond Lean-to

To: Blad Mtn Lean-to
Miles today: 18.7

The day started with the three of us heading out for breakfast. From there it seemed to go down hill. Both literally and figuratively. But in the end all is well that ends well.We started out for the camp site in plenty of time to get there by 7:30am. We didn't want to be late. We got there and were asked to wait on the porch while they got breakfast ready. They said we could look at the Humming birds at the feeder they had set out. As soon as we sat down the birds showed up. At one point there were eight Humming birds around one feeder. It wasn't soon after that that they called us in saying breakfast was ready. When they brought in the plate of pancakes I thought to my self that I'll never be able to eat all those. I took my first bite and they really tasted great. The pancakes were made with fresh blueberries, raspberries and apples with powered sugar on top. I started and didn't stop until they were all gone along with the two eggs, three sausages, and a glass of milk and juice. I'm not much for pancakes but these were the best I have ever had. If they hadn't been so good I could not have eaten them all. Stealth won the contest he was done when I still had two left to eat. I think he would have eaten more if they had them.The day called for one climb up Pleasant Mtn. The guide book looked like it was going to be all down hill after the mountain. Getting to the start of the climb took some time. The trail from the camp to the Kennebec River was all roots. It¢s had the most roots yet and all on a steep descent.We made it to the river where you have to take a ferry across. It¢s too wide and deep to forge. The ferry is nothing more then a canoe. They can only take two people at a time. Ninja and I were first. She rode while Tim the ferry pilot and I paddle across. Once there I headed into town to resupply.Steve from the store where I needed to resupply was headed to the post office. Tim had called him on his walky-talky and he told me he would pick me up there in 20 minutes. I was picked up, resupplied and back on the trail within a hour. Of course I had time for my B&J ice cream too.The trail was flat and we made good time. There was trail magic at the shelter and I had a coke and cookies before heading out. I looked at the guide and thought I had plenty of time to get to the shelter. It had a 900 foot climb and then it was all down hill. I had it all figured out, I mean after hiking 2000 miles you should know a little something, right?The climb wasn't hard and was what I expected and had some nice views. It was the downhill that wasn't what I expected. It was down alright. It went up and down for miles. All the time I was watching the sky get cloudier and cloudier.I had covered about four miles when it started raining. It was hard enough and windy enough that I put on my rain jacket on to keep from getting cold. It lasted about a half an hour. I continued on my way but now was hearing thunder and I knew I wasn't going to make the shelter before I got rained on again.I was through the ups and downs and had crossed under a power line. It was a good reference point and I got out the guide book. I had 2.9 miles left to the shelter. The terrain had leveled out and I went as fast as I could to beat the storm. It was just a manner of minutes and it started raining and lighting. I was in the woods so I had tall trees around me and kept going. It was only 6:00pm but with the heavy rain and the clouds I could not make out what I was walking on in the trail. It was the heaviest rain I've been caught in so far. I finally made it to the shelter at 7:30pm.There was another couple there that I had seen at the previous shelter. They were planning on going 22 miles to the shelter after this one. They had just made it here when the rain started and of course decided to stay. We talked and ate. About 8:30pm we decided no one else was going to show up so we both pitched our tents in the shelter. We were no sooner done when Stealth and Ninja walked in soaked and tired. There was not enough room with two tents so the other couple took their tent down while Stealth and Ninja had a cold dinner.Today was a very hard day. I was glad I did it with a big breakfast to help make it through the day. I made it through the storm and was in the shelter with 18 miles done. Tomorrow I can take it easy and only need to do 12 miles. I may even sleep in a little.