Date: 2003-08-23
From: Poplar Ridge Lean-to (2955') 

To: Sugarloaf Mtn Trail (3650') 
Miles today: 10.9

Aloha! What an unbelievable view is set out before me as I type. Colors so vibrant they can bring a tear to your eye. The most brilliant of oranges, the softest but most vibrant of blues, and the palest of pinks have all been turned on for my viewing pleasure. I have just witnessed the most gorgeous sunset I may have ever seen. It was spectacular.   I am currently sitting in, what I feel, is my very own abandoned ski resort - the Sugarloaf Ski Resort Summit House atop Sugarloaf Mountain. The abandoned house is an enclosed building where, on clear days, panoramic views include glimpses of Katahdin and Mt Washington from the nearby summit, at 4237'. Being able to see both, which is almost one-sixth the length of the entire Trail, would be indescribable. I don't know that I would even know where to begin in an attempt at getting you to see and experience what I do. I don't know that it's possible. As luck would have it, I don't have to since I was only able to see Mt Washington, Mt Madison, everything else just completed and almost the rest of the hike, over 100 miles worth of terrain, just no Big K.   Maybe tomorrow morning. Fingers are crossed.   What's also unbelievable is the weather outside. Today started off with the most startling of blue skies with nary a whisper of a cloud and ended with winds banging at the door to be let in and temperatures in the 30s. I'm of the belief that Maine has decided to give this former South Texas/Hawaii gal a taste of what Maine is all about. It was quite chilly when I awoke this morning and it's downright freezing out there now. The winds are almost scary. Our day remained gorgeous right up until our arrival here. Or almost. The winds have been harsh most of the day but until coming out above the tree line here it really wasn't noticed. Once out in the open though I was forced to even remove my earrings as the wind whipped them hard enough to actually hurt as they hit the sides of my ears/face. Windy and cold. Welcome to Maine!   Today has been a different day for me all the way around. From the start of it to the end. Being cold this morning I somewhat shot out of the starting gate. I knew I had a 3-mile down to start the day but it was the 4-mile UP to follow that got me going. The UPs were definitely huffers and puffers but they turned out to not be as difficult as I had anticipated. Strangely enough they were probably exactly what I needed today.   I realized after chatting with you last night that I have not had a zero day since August 6th at Pizazz's. Some would say that's not to bad where others would think its way to long. I had originally hoped to make it to Monsoon, another 8 days maybe, before taking one but if the truth were known, I'm tired. Very tired. Tomorrow will end the roughest 32.7 miles of hiking the AT in Maine and I may need to take a break. There's still more to come but it may just have to wait one more day. We'll see tomorrow.   Another thing I realized is that I had not been alone for a very long time. I'm not complaining mind you but now and then it really is wonderful to hike alone. That's what I wanted, needed and did today. I played by myself. Since Coffee was having a lagging kind of day it ended up working out nicely. He sauntered along somewhere out of sight behind me and I hiked my hike - alone. It was wonderful! I hadn't realized how much I actually enjoy hiking by myself. Having people around for lunch, end of the day and even partly through the day is great but sometimes you just need to be alone. No one to "play the pretty" to. It was needed and I do feel much better for it. I thank Coffee for understanding. He's pretty cool.   There's limited things to tell you about the hike to here. The actual ski resort is .6 miles off the AT, which of course is a pain, but well worth the trip. (Thank you Pizazz, as always, you were so right.) There's been very few reasons for me to walk so far off the trail but this is the second within a month that has reminded me that there really is more than the AT out there. The first of course was meeting Pizazz 1.1 miles off at the Green Leaf Hut and now the .6 to here. Both well worth the time and effort. Glad I did them both.   While we're on the thank you part, I also need and want to thank Pizazz again for the lemon-pepper linguini, sun dried tomatoes, and pine nuts dinner. Since Gutsy was unable to make this portion of the trip with me, Coffee was the honored recipient of the other portion. He most appreciates it too. We chose to eat that dinner tonight to celebrate Pizazz's recommendation of coming here. An awesome place with to-die-for views was meant to be topped off with a special dinner. This day and evening has been perfect. Mahalo nui loa Pizazz for all. You're a goddess!   Okay, I'm sure there's more I could tell you about being here but to be honest, the fire is almost gone, my hands are so cold they're not hitting the keys well, I'm tired, and I still have to brave the elements for one last privy (no privy or restroom here) run. Burrrr.... If I think of anything more tomorrow I'll certainly come add it but for now I believe it's once again time to say goodnight. You stay warm and I'll try to do the same. Off to the privy now. Burrrrrrrr........BSandTs: almost to cold for sweat!AandPs: knees are feeling the UPs and downs. Particularly the left.MandGs: there's a possibility of snow showers on Mt Washington tonight... I'm not there!... waah!Critter count: numerous toads ranging in size from a little finger's nail to cookable!, 2x red squirrelsCountdown: 198.4 miles