Date: 2003-09-20
From: Potaywadjo Spring Lean-to

To: Rainbow Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: light rain

Today is for Mickey and Martin Cooney and their families. All early risers this morning. Leap Year wants to visit the White House. Snowberry, Easy Rider and I are hoping to do 18 miles and bring the distance to 30. The ¢White House¢ is located some 2.5 miles up the Trail and nearly 1 mile off the Trail. It is a hostel for hunters, hikers and fishermen. Hikers also use the place to re-stock I was anxious to stick to the original Wilderness Trail and survive on my own resources. I didn¢t want any distractions at this stage of the game. Anytime remaining, I want to spend in the shadow of the big mountain, Kathadin. The Trail is wet and the roots are demanding attention. I walk on alone and see a Moose on the other side of the river. It might be more correct to say I heard the moose as I only caught a glimpse of the big creature. Snowberry and Easy Rider joined me as I stopped for my morning break. They told me that Leap Year had gone to the White House but hoped to catch us later in the day. We walked on together making good time and around 12 noon came to a lovely spring where we stocked up with water. A little further on we came to Wadleigh Stream Shelter where we decided to have lunch. We were soon joined by ¢Medicine Man¢ and ¢Loa¢, two Northbounders I was meeting for the very first time. I had often seen their names in the Register and knew they were on the Trail. Loa is a beautiful young lady from Massachusetts who had hiked the entire trail alone. She knew who I was from hearing other hikers talk about Tipperary. ¢Medicine Man¢ is also a young person who had been well ahead but was now slowing down not wanting the Trail experience to finish. ¢Starbuck¢ and ¢Mothman¢ arrived shortly afterwards. They had all spent the previous night at the White House. Some enjoyed the place; others were not over enthusiastic in their praises of either the place or its owners. We took a longer than usual lunch break but by 1.30, it was time to ¢saddle up¢ again. A nasty climb up Nesuntahunt Mountain (1520 ft.) was a rude awakening. It was small compared to other climbs, but it sure packed a kick. It was looking like rain and sure enough, the heavens opened. It rained for nearly 40 minutes and then it suddenly cleared into a lovely evening. My poncho did the trick for me for the last time. The Trail was wet and walking difficult, but when Snoberry and I stopped for an evening snack on a bridge over the Pollywog River, we were pleasantly surprised to discover we were only 2.4 miles to the shelter. Easy Rider and Mothman soon joined and we took some photos in the evening sunshine. I walked slowly uphill to Rainbow Stream Lean-to following the course of the river. It was such a relaxing and beautiful end to a Hiker¢s Day. I knew, that rarely if ever, would I feel such contentment at the end of a walk. Starbuck arrived soon afterwards. Leap Year did not make it. There were three section Hikers from Maine who shared the Shelter with me, Tom ,Woodie and Rick. They were great company and told many stories about the history of Maine. I was advised to purchase Arundel by Kenneth Scot. I was also warned that both Woodie and Rick snored badly but I had survived some ¢bad ones¢ on the Trail so one last night should be bearable.