Date: 2017-09-26
From: Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to

To: ME 15/Monson/Shaw's Hostel
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: few clouds

9/26Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to to ME 15/Monson/Shaw's Hostel9.0 milesTotal miles: 2075.3I woke up early, broke camp with no problem, and was on the trail as the sun came up at 6:30. The trail was relatively quite good with lots of roots and rocks, but nothing truly difficult. It humors me to think how several months ago I would have thought the trail today was difficult, while now I'm thrilled at how easy it was. Maine continues to be beautiful as I walked along streams, ponds, and even one view of distant mountains. I thought I might have to ford the East Branch of the Piscataquis River but was able to cross it without even getting my feet wet. My understanding is that there are rivers in the Wilderness that will actually have to be forded. Well, I guess I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. The terrain was pretty flat, and I was at the road to Monson by 11:15. A shuttle from Shaw's Hostel soon arrived and took me to the final hostel of my trip. Shaw's is operated by Poet and Hippy Chick, and they run a top notch operation. I got a special surprise when I arrived. Bartender and Minutes, who summitted a few days ago, are now working at the hostel. I also got to meet Bartender's dad, who came to Maine to summit with her. It was great to see Bartender and congratulate her in person. After settling in, I showered and put my clothes in the laundry and then headed to downtown Monson. Gravity, Tengo, and I went to the Lakeshore Pub, where I ordered "The Bomb," a steak and cheese extravaganza that must be experienced to be believed. The steak and cheese are cooked together and onions and peppers are added. It certainly lived up to its reputation as one of the finer foods on the trail. At the Pub, we saw Skittles and Jeff. Skittles fell the day before yesterday and broke her wrist. She had surgery yesterday and plans on being back on trail Thursday. She plans on summitting on October 6th. I wish her the best of luck. I also saw Jason, Boomer, Single T, Scout, and Maple, who was under the table resting in the shade. They plan on summitting around the same time I do. It's been wonderful spending time with these great young people the past few months. After lunch, we went across the street to the AT Visitor's Center to learn about the Hundred Mile Wilderness and Baxter State Park, where Mount Katahdin is located. From there, I went to the gas station and the local grocery store for resupply. The cost of food was pretty high, and I needed to buy food for nine days. I finished off my resupply at Poet's well-stocked hiking store. We also met with him about the best way to approach hiking the Wilderness and arranged a food drop for half way through. Poet's knowledge and insight were a big help, and I was pleased that the plan I had previously worked out for hiking through the Wilderness was quite close to his recommendations.  My plan is to summit Katahdin on October 5th, which will be six months to the day since I left home. Of course, I have some flexibility since the trail is never truly predictable. I saved the most exciting news from today for last. My good hiking friends, Leapfrog and Extra Mile, summitted yesterday and sent me their photo. Ever the athletes, Extra Mile stands next to the Katahdin sign while Leapfrog is doing a handstand beside him. In their second photo, their positions have changed, and Extra Mile is on his knee proposing. I am so excited for these two very special young people and look forward to staying in touch with them in the years ahead. I again feel so blessed by the friendships I have developed within the trail community, and these relationships will keep my AT journey continuing long after I actually finish hiking the trail. It's now time to go to sleep, because there are still quite a few miles to go before I get my photo taken by the sign on Katahdin.