Date: 2009-09-20
From: Sabbath Day Pond Lean-to

To: Redington Stream Campsite
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: few clouds

I woke to a cool sunrise over Sabbath Pond: yellows, oranges, tinges of crimson and purple; a thrilling almost unnatural start to the day. I wandered on and much to my surprise who should come round the corner but Jade. I hadn't seen my four legged friend since Pine Grove Furnace, and although I knew from the registers that her 'gang' had leap-frogged ahead I had thought that they would be much further north by now. In fact they were only a little further north and were now slackpacking south and so I chatted to Sarge, catching up with his gossip. I heading onwards but my mind drifted back, back to our first meeting in Georgia, quite literally many moons ago.Bam Bam was at the road and I stopped to chat, to grab a can of trail magic root bear and to listen to him play his harmonica - a really rather splendid rendition of 'Oh Susanna' and all the better for a sometimes rough round the edges feel.I stopped briefly at Piazza Rock shelter and after checking out the rock had the pleasure of meeting Stewball. Stewball has gained a certain notoriety (in my limited circles at least) for his hiking alter ego, and for some months he has been entertaining many with register entries entitled 'Hannah's Hiking Tips', a Hannah Montana eye view of trail life. They really have been rather humorous and for many it is the first thing they look for when they reach a shelter; brightening up many a day but sometimes leaving a cloud of disappointment when we find that Hannah has been too busy to regale us with her insights into gravity, cute boys, natural beauty products and bad hair trail days. Thanks Stewball.I didn't tarry long as a number of recent (non Hannah) entries had told of the magnificent views from Saddleback Mountain. With so much promised I didn't want to waste time here that could be better wasted up there.I still hadn't seen a moose yet but, while still living in hope, wildlife is not all about big mammals. This afternoon I heard a knocking and low and behold there was a woodpecker. Not supper unusual I know but you hear them a lot more than you see them. Here it was battering away at the tree to my right and as I stood watching him a wood chipping he had dislodged floated down and into my outstretched palm. Now would a moose do that?Saddleback proved to be all it had been cracked up to be. Maybe not quite reaching the highs of Baldpate but then its not a contest. Both are quite exceptional. Today though Saddleback was also windy, very windy and so some of the better moments were on its flank as the trail climbed upwards. I found an enticing slab of rock and stopped for the lunch I had eschewed at the shelter. I had chosen wisely. Ponds, hills, firs, rocks - classic Maine in other words, and all rolling on and on forever.   Climbing above the trees I entered a land of rock, wind and more wind. Exposed, raw and elemental it might have been but thankfully it wasn't really cold. I felt a chill but the litmus test is surely that my hands and fingers were fine, neither seeking out pockets or hankering for gloves.Over the top the views north were equally impressive. On towards the Horn and to tonight's camp.The campsite, itself, was very much work in progress but a spot was found and I settled in.Do I want this to be over? I think maybe at this time the answer is more yes than no. The days are great but the nights bring dread and fear. I also think that having a hard and fast deadline (my flight on the 8th of October) works against me. The fact is who cares if I want this to be over, I'm neither free to speed up or to slow down and I lament that loss of freedom. Its not ideal.