Date: 2005-09-18
From: Rainbow Stream Lean To

To: Katahdin Stream Campground / Millinocket
Miles today: 24.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Hopeful:      This was our last hiking day before the big summit. We needed to get to the base of the mountain where we planned to stay at "The Birches" a shelter/campsite reserved for thru hikers in Baxter State Park. We knew it would be a long day, but we really encouraged One Way to go the distance with us, because then he would be in a position to summit the same day as we did. He wasn't hard to convince, Monday the 19th would be a better day for him than later in the week when he might have otherwise done it.       The first 11 miles or so was mostly along Rainbow Lake. We stopped at the very last AT shelter at Hurd Brook for a lunch break. The shelter register was full of last notes to other hikers an email addresses. Since it was truly full, with no more writing space, we left what was left of the blank pages in our journal notebook so that those behind also would have space for some final words. Even as I say that, I really hope that the words won't be so final. We've been collecting lots of email addresses, and look forward to friendships continuing in a different capacity once we're through hiking.      In about three more miles we ended up at Abol Bridge Store and Campground, and our entrance to Baxter State Park. Baxter is protected as a pristine wilderness area and there is no electricity or phone lines near or around the park. I've never used a pay cell phone before, but that was what was available at Abol Bridge. I put in my coins in order to call and leave a message at the hotel for our parents who would be arriving in Millinocket later that evening, and the man at the other end said that it was tough to hear and I must not be getting a very clear signal on my cell phone. At this point, Red Wing looked at our guidebook for the first time that day. I had been the one looking ahead and letting him know about our 22 mile day. Well, his math is obviously a little better than mine and he realized that it was actually a 25 mile day. Ouch! There was no backing out on it either, our parents were on the second day of their road trip from Michigan already, and we needed to get to the base of the mountain and summit tomorrow. So, we gathered up our gear rather quickly, and walked into the park.       The last 10 miles were beautiful. We followed a river, and then a large stream with awesome waterfalls. I was getting very tired, but of course, we kept moving. It was cloudy and so at a couple points where we should have seen Mt. Katahdin, we could only assume that it was there. About a mile from our destination, we heard some voices ahead in the woods. There were four people who quickly moved off the trail behind some small trees... were they trying to hide or something? I'm not sure when it sunk in, but who we were looking at were our parents (both sets)! They had arrived earlier than expected, and instead of meeting us at the mountain tomorrow, they did some detective work at the ranger station to find out when we signed in, and started hiking south on the trail to meet us. I couldn't believe it. I think I was in shock for a short time. Even my dad was there, and he wasn't supposed to be coming to Maine at all, since he was busy bear hunting in the Upper Penninsula. One Way, who had been a little ways behind us, soon walked up and was relieved to hear that the screams and exclamations were ones of joy and reunion. Even though it was dusk and prime moose sighting time, I'm sure the moose hesitated to show themselves after hearing all the excited chatter.       My Mom and Dad wanted to try our packs on, so we walked the last mile with our personal sherpas. It wasn't difficult to decide to go back to the hotel with them rather than sleep in the damp woods. One Way was happy to give his wet feet a chance to dry and came with us too. We are exhausted after 25 miles and so much excitement, but very happy. We're also excited that, according to the forecast, tomorrow will be the least cloudy with the least percent of rain in about a 10 day stretch. We're resigned to the fact that we may not have views from the top of Katahdin. It promises to be a good day no matter what the weather.