Date: 2005-09-30
From: West Carry Pond Lean-to

To: North of the Kennebec River
Miles today: 14.7

Mileage's good friend Sampson slept next to her in the shelter last night. I guess he's got the Jimmy leg because he kicked her all night long. He nudged her. He rearanged himself and sat on her. By chance I glanced over and saw him sleeping with his back on the wood floor, all four paws sticking staight up in the air. But, if someone had messed with Sampsons good friend Mileage in the night, they would have 90+lbs of Wolf hybrid all over them.      The loveable half husky has really become part of our family. A few hundred miles traveling together forms a rock solid bond between man and beast. Sampson is a healthy and happy companion and it has definitally enhanced our trip to have him with us. Enough said.      At 7:00AM, no sun, no rain, good enough. We headed out with Blaze, Dready, and Sampson. The trail skirted a huge lake. We walked thru muck, roots, and streams. No climbs to start though. THe crew made good time and a few hours later sat bya marshy pond talking and cooking hot lunch. Some loud splashing sound were coming up from the thickly forested marsh-pond. Blaze and I grabbed our cameras and moved in for a better look. A cow moose stood tall out in the water feeding on aquatic vegitation. We watched her for about 5 minutes. As she moved away a large Bull came into view from behing her. Our position was about a football field away, but they still looked massive. Good luck to those gentle giants, hunters will be out in the hundreds all next week.      Our big obstacle of the day was the Kennebec river ford. This is the largest unbridged water crossing on the AT. We hit the river 13 miles into the day. A Hydro-electric plant releases water every day at about 11AM. This causes the water level to rise about 3 or 4 feet soon after. After a hiker drown they began a canoe ferry service. Mileage and I arrived at the river first and saw two men across the way. The river is one tenth of a mile wide, it was hard to see their faces. Moments later a canoe was coming for us. Craig pulled up in the canoe and introduced himself. We put on life jackets, signed a waver, and off we went. I got the novelty of getting to paddle upsteam to the other side. By the time we crossed my whole arm was numb. The water was very deep (8 to 10 feet) and rushing at a good pace. We were very thankful for the ferry. The sun came out for the first time in 2 days and we jumped at the opportunity to dry our stuff. As B, D, and S made their way across the river we spread out all our wet stuff and basked in the wonderful warmth and light.      All dried up and back together the crew headed to the road. We had arranged a ride with Craig and he brought us to his store. He only caters to thru hikers and has the cheapest prices I have seen in weeks. His store is called Rivers and Trails in Caratunk. Resupply there! Great deals, great guy. After getting a ride back to the trail we hiked up about 2 miles and found a campsite. Everyone is settled in and we are all full.      Hunting kicks off tomorrow and we have been warned to be careful. Many hunters use the AT and some are rumored to be a bit trigger happy. Who knows if thats true? I hope not.                              PiKeR