Date: 2014-08-08
From: crescent pond

To: abol bridge campground
Miles today: 19.3

i woke up early, i mean early, to get a look at a moose. i covered myself in bug repellant and snuck down to the shore to sit. as it got plenty enough light to see i heard noise again on the other side of the pond. i was so excited, the prey was close. i waited an hour and a half without breakfast but would only hear the footsteps. he would never come into view. i took it for one of those 'it wasnt meant to be' moments and headed back up to my tent to pack and eat. when i was finished with my chores i gave one last look to the pond and went about my way. for a bit i followed the outlet stream of murphy pond upstream. it was a narrow but raucous little river with a bunch of small falls. none of the pools under the falls looked good for swimming in, they all looked like they wanted you to feel like you were in a washing machine and beat you up. i passed by the rainbow stream lean2 to see quite a few campers still in their tents, silly section hikers. 2 miles from the lean2 i got to a side trail to rainbow lake dam so i dropped my pack down to go have a looksy. the dam had tent sites that are a must stay if you can do it. looking down the length of the lake to mt katahdin was breath taking. this and the antlers campsite are two of the best on the entire trail, stay there if you can!! i went back to the trail and made a few more miles. the trail follows along the lakeshore for a very long way, roughly 4 miles. the trail here was a little slower, lots of roots to navigate. i thought about the roots for a while and how different they were from rock hopping on the trail. at this point a thru hiker can hop rocks (when dry) with grace and ease, barely slowing down. i thought it to be like a ballet with hops, quick little steps, and fluid leaps from rock to rock. however roots are like a ballet with music played by 3 nine year olds. one on the violin, one on a piccolo, and one on a snare drum, all riding a teeter-totter. its not good, doesnt look good and is a mess. only once in a great while does it come together and work like it should and not feel like a jumbled up mess. i made my way thru the roots at a decent rate but its hard work with much effort and little grace. by the other end of the pond the trail got better and headed up to the rainbow ledges. the top of the ledges held the biggest blueberry patch i had seen yet on the trail. i walked and ate handfuls of berries that were delicious. i even stopped for a while to graze. at the top of the ledges was a great view over to katahdin getting so close. thats where i met a group of high school girls. there were about 15 of them all hiking the hundred mile wilderness and the next 15 miles to the top of katahdin. i was impressed by this herd. they were all having a good time and in good spirit. i headed along before them and got to the next shelter as it started to rain so i planned on sitting it out since i only had 3.5 miles to the campground and it was 2 in the afternoon. it lightly rained for a while but i was determined to wait it out. a half hour later the group of girls came by singing, they didnt care they were getting wet. they did stop for a break but stayed out in the rain and joked and talked. how did they get this many girls together under adverse conditions and keep them all happy? they headed out before me, they were tougher than i and didnt care about the rain. maybe 30 minutes after them, i left when the sun came out. it didnt take long to catch them up and pass them by. they are all carrying packs that weigh ten to fifteen pounds more than mine! i am really impressed by this group, again, they were singing as they hiked. i got to the golden rd where the other sign is on the north end of the hundred mile. i was out of the wilderness! one more tick in the box. at the road i had to pass over abol bridge and the penobscot river. well im gonna say i almost teared up as i crossed the bridge and got an up close look at the mt katahdin and all her glory. beautiful and close as ever. i stood in awe, complete awe. it was official, words can not describe the sight and the feeling at this point, crossing over this bridge. i composed myself and got a spot at the abol bridge campground. i also got some drink and snacks for predinner. i was sitting at the picnic table stuffing my face when my friend hikermonkey showed up. i knew he was going to summit the same day as me but didnt expect to see him yet, he must have flown thru the 100 mile. we talked for a bit before setting up our tents. we met up for dinner at the campground restaurant. they have enormous portions, hiker portions and good food too. we sat outside after and talked about the end coming soon. we both feel the same way. its been a great time and certainly something i will never forget nor will i regret doing but we are tired and its time to get home. blowing up my bed roll later on i thought, 'one more last time'. it would be the last time on the trail to blow that up, i wont miss that chore that always leaves me tipsy. the sunset over the river was fitting so i sat at the picnic table at my tentsite to watch it. thoughts and feelings while i sat. close to the end felt surreal. i could not believe i was here. the whole trip i told people that asked if i was a thru hiker that i was heading north. i was now north, only fifteen miles away from being a thru hiker. disbelief. i drank a root beer and munched on pretzels as the sun headed to sleep and i soon followed but thoughts kept me awake for a while. i consulted my guide again, yes, i was only 15 miles to go, 2170.8 done. i lay awake in my mobile home for the last time on the trail. its been a good refuge for me for many many nights. on this wonderous night with thoughts all over the place i knew without doubt, nobody could be more on cloud 9 than me.