Date: 2010-10-01
From: E Flagstaff Rd/Stratton Motel & Hostel

To: Stealth camp by Carrying River
Miles today: 12.4

Update...so we didn't make it to the shelter yesterday...the river was too rough to ford! IT was crazy people! The whole trail was under water! It was a tough 12 miles to say the least! The river was over waist deep and with darkness setting in we chose to do the smart thing and camp!! Puddles were up and over my knees! Plank boards were FLOATING! It was nuts! I can definitely say I have had the water side of the AT experience now! These boots have been great but boy are they heavy now! I'll jump to the next entry...Hi everyone! It's early here in Stratton, not so bright, but we're smiling! I am here reunited with LB, Shags and Sanman! We had a great day yesterday slackpacking even though the rain set in and went all day long! It's could've been rainy all day WITH packs! I had only slacked 7 miles before Damascus until yesterday and I'm glad I saved it! Maine's 2nd Mtn wasnt too bad at all! We got views for a moment up one climb and then missed the rest but it was good to get the miles! SO! I have 171 miles left to Katahdin! It has been quite a ride lately! We are all so excited and proud that we have come this far! We hit the 2000 mile marker on the trail yesterday! We think often about how long it took us all to reach 200 miles and now how quick they'll go by if we let them! We are all looking forward to getting home to our loved ones and comforts but most of us are trying to soak up every last bit we can! There are some that are just ready to be done! It is really crazy to me that I can now say I've walked from GEORGIA TO MAINE!!!! It has been the most incredible time, as you all can imagine! I am so proud that I've made it this far! It really is kinda crazy, you know! Terrain~wise we have one 3 or 4000 footer left just after Monson and Katahdin! Everything else between here and there is almost flat!!! We are REALLY excited about that!! I didn't think the trail profile would EVER look like this! We will get some big mile days in without much pain and hope to arrive at Baxter by the 10th-11th...so we can have a couple days if needed to wait on weather! I now think I will summit, go do my MA-VT section (hopfully after spending a little time with Mike and Cindy in ME&MA!) I may get to hike with Twizzler, Roadrunner, Bambi and Dennis again while there too! So then I will take off for INDY!! I must be home for the Annual Halloween Campout at McCormick's Creek!! THEN Turner and I will drive to VA and hike the Shenendoah Natl Park!! It is going to be perfect!! I'm SO glad I have these 2 secions left now for after Katahdin!! I will EASE my way off this trail! I expect it to be very difficult in some ways! I've learned a lot from Lowrider (Who I was able to spend more time with out here! We had such a great tme! Hiking and in town! So much has gone on guys! You will have to go back and read the whole journey when I get it on here! I hope you do!       I would love to give you more but it's 7:15 and we intend to hike 16+ miles today! It will be flat! Yahooo!! But I better get moving and eating and packing! I am really trying to enjoy every step my friends! I can't believe this is almost over!! Tomorrow I will cross the Kennebec via the famous canoe ferry! We'll hit the Carratunk PO that is .3 off trail then get back to it! We should arrive in Monson Sun pm or Mon am! That is the last stop kids! UNREAL!! From there we enter the 100 miles wilderness and will emerge at Baxter State Park, the home of Katahdin!! Peace and love to you...i gotta go hike!