Date: 2005-08-01
From: Little Bigelow Lean-to

To: Piece Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: broken clouds

Another fun day on the AT. I made it to the Pierce Pond Lean-to along with Stealth and Ninja. We had easy hiking day and made good time starting at 7:00am and getting here at 4:00pm. I even ate two meals tonight.I woke around 5:30am and was thinking about visiting the big urinal in the woods when I heard the rain start hitting the shelter roof. I hurried and made the trip to the woods with my rain jacket on and got back in the sleeping bag. It had all night to rain and it had to wait until we had to get up and hike. Stealth, Ninja and I had planned a 6:30am start. With the rain we were all a little lazy and stayed in the sleeping bag past our get up time. At least we didn't have to pack in the rain. We got started at 7:00am in the rain. It stopped soon and I took off the rain jacket. You get spoiled with all the mountain views I've had in the last couple of weeks. I did not expect anything special today. We were coming down from the last big mountain and were going to be hiking in the lower elevation on the way into Caratunk. The trail called for us to pass three different ponds and some swampy area. I expected mosquitoes. I was surprised at the nice scenes the ponds made with mountains in the back grounds. I was also surprised there were not that many mosquitoes and I did not put bug spray on.I did take a dip in one of the ponds. The guide book pointed out that one had a nice sandy beach. When I went by it was too tempting. It was still cool from the rain and overcast skies but the water wasn't that cold so in I went. While in the water Stealth and Ninja came by and said they had picked me some Blue Berries as they were sure I had missed them. (Editors Note: Shocking that Dad¢s Grin missed them again). I did say they would have to excuse me if I didn't stand up and come and get them right then. They said that was quite alright with them. Once they had passed by and my swim was over I got out of the pond and had the berries while getting dressed. I soon caught up with them while they were taking a break.When we reached the shelter there was a camp group there from Canada. It was an all girls group again but this time they all spoke French. It seemed a bit funny to see them and then hear them talking in French. They had brought in frozen spaghetti for their dinner. When they were finished they came over and asked if we wanted what was left. We said sure and split it between us. The leftovers were as much as the meals we had eaten earlier. At the shelter there was a sign for a breakfast at the Harrison Camp. This is the Lumberjack breakfast of 12 Pancakes, three sausages, two eggs, juice and milk. Stealth had walked the .3 of a mile on a side trail to the camp earlier and made reservation for us to have breakfast. They needed to know how many were coming to make enough for their guests and hikers. If you go without calling ahead they do not always have enough. We didn't want that to happen to us.After the second dinner we watched the sunset and looked out from the shelter at the pond. We listened to the Loon's and watched some trout come to the top of the water getting flies that were there. Then it was time to call it a day and look forward to breakfast.