Date: 2015-08-12
From: East Flagstaff Lake campsite, ME

To: Caratunk, ME
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: scattered clouds

A comfortable night would lead to a comfortable sleep. I was even able to sleep in my shorts, and tee without the need to bundle up. I awoke at 6:00am, minutes before the rest of the USS Bennington, and gradually began packing up as Rabbit played "Hero" from his tent. With a goal of ~19 miles, plus a river ferry ending each day at 4:00pm, we knew we would need to get going and maintain a good pace all day. We were on the trail and cruising by 7:15am. After 2 initial climbs of ~500ft and ~800ft, the remainder of the day would be spent traversing relatively flat terrain, gently sloping upwards or downwards, an occasional crumby climb sprinkled in here and there.We'd pass along several large, beautiful ponds throughout the day, the first being West Carry Pond. At East Carry Pond we passed by a small boat tied to the shore, 2 men and their 4 children playing in the gravel sand nearby. In the clear morning sky along even clearer waters, I wondered if the kids knew how fortunate they were. The day would be relatively uneventful and pass in a blur as Rabbit and I pulled ahead of Yoohoo and Huey, maintaining a 3mph pace in the process. We reached Pierce Pond, crossing a unique stretch of trail once there. We carefully navigated a series of rocks and logs, the top of a dam, as water crept through just below our feet. Feeling as though it'd give way at any moment and we'd be washed away and forgotten in a gorge downstream, we quick-stepped our way across it. Once on the other side, we continued a hundred yards or so to a series of rock slabs next to a cascading waterfall flowing through a tight gorge, dropping close to ~30ft as the stream passed through. Seeing that it was only 1:00pm and we were in good shape to read h the ferry service only ~3 miles away, Rabbit and I decided to break and wait for Yoohoo and Huey to catch up.I utilized the time by taking a few pictures of the gorge. In the process of navigating some slick rocks, covered in spray from the rushing water, I slipped and hit my ribs into a rock wall that I was holding on to. Although the pain nearly took my breath away, the strikemto the wall was the only thing that kept me from possibly tumbling and sliding into the gorge. I took a few pictures, feeling like a photographer for National Geographic as the roar of the falls filled my ears, before retreating back to safety above the falls. Yoohoo and Huey eventually arrived, we breaked for a bit, and then returned to the trail. An hour later we reached the impressive Kennebec River, a stiff current making an attempt at fording impossible. Fortunately a ferry service in the form of a canoe is provided, complete with a blazed canoe, which offers hikers with the easiest ~200 yards of the trail. That is, of course, if you're the middle passenger and not the front qho has to help the captain with paddling against the current to reach the opposite bank. The trip against the current takes close to 5 minutes while the return trip less than half that.I was able to score the first ride over as soon as we reached the river. I also scored middle passenger and enjoyed a comfortable ride over. I did, however, make conversation with the valiant paddlers, helping to keep moral up as they battled the current. Once over, I set up camp on the rocky shore and waited for the canoe to return with Yoohoo and Huey who returned blaring the soundtrack to the Little Mermaid. Once they unloaded and they ferryman returned for Rabbit, we walked the quarter mile to US 201 where we planned to hitch into nearby The Forks, ME. A place called Northern Outdoors is located there offering lodging, a restaurant, showers, laundry, a hot tub, and a brewery. A Northern Outdoors shuttle arrived, as if by magic, and we were soon stepping out and entering with empty stomachs.I heard of a meal a couple days prior, The Exterminator, that is free if eaten under 30 minutes. According to the staff, the first person to complete it was actually Moosehead, clocking in at 26 minutes a couple days ago. The meal, as described in the menu, is as follows: "The Exterminator" - Northern Outdoors extreme burger challenge: 2 - 8 oz burger parties, 1 deep fried chicken tender, lettuce, tomato, fried pickles, bacon, onion rings, deep fried mac n' cheese, maple bourbon bacon sauce, cheddar cheese, sauteed mushrooms, 1 fried egg, and magic IPA cheese sauce + 1lb of french fries. Total weight: 5lbs. The catch? Fail to consume it in under 30 minutes will set you back $30.00. On board to attempting the challenge? Yoohoo, Huey, and myself. Our meals arrived, as large and "Wtf?" as advertised, an alarm was set, and 2 staff members sat nearby to monitor our process.I quickly blazed through the innards of the burger - meat, cheeses, fried pickles, onion rings, chicken tender, mac n' cheese, etc. - saving the bread and fries for last. After down the 3 large buns, the clock showed that less than 10 minutes had passed. However, the struggle began as I started the pound of fries remaining. Each bite was a challenge as I could feel my stomach nearing and exceeding capacity with every mouthful. Soon the food sweats and hand shakes set in as the minutes ticked by. I used my Coke and water to my advantage, dipping the fries in hoping they'd slide down easier. As I finishes off my last handful of fries to a chorus of cheers from the guys as well as the staff, I felt like a king. I clocked in at 22 minutes, making me the all-time record holder for at least 1 day. Meanwhile, Yoohoo had given up after finishing close to half of his meal. His gagging and nearly throwing up didn't help mine or Huey's attempt at the challenge. Huey would silently put forth a solid attack on the challenge and claim the 3rd ever completion, clocking in at 28 minutes. He, too, would enjoy his moment of glory. It was, perhaps, even sweeter than my own for today was his birthday. Beatingna challenge and getting a $30 meal for free isn't the shabbiest of birthday presents to oneself.After dropping our gear in the bunk tents we've rented for the night and enjoying warm showers, we returned to the restaurant and lodge, packed with guests enjoying food, beer, pool, and hot tub. With us is Sunscreen, Forward, Doc, Clank, and Magellan - a good crowd. Sunscreen would have his own go at the burger challenge, but would fall about 10 fries short after a valiant effort. And me? Well, this place is open til 12:00am, I have access to unlimited Coke refills, and the preseason game between the Packers and Patriots is on TV. So, at least for tonight, you can count on me being just perfect.Here's to the Kennebec River ferry service, the beginning of another Packer's season, and my good friend Huey's 35th birthday.