Date: 2006-08-31
From: Moxie Bald Lean-to (1,220')

To: Maine 15 - Shaw's Boarding House
Miles today: 17.9

Sunrise: 5:58 AMSunset:   7:18 PM65o High/47o LowWaxing Crescent Moon (thin sliver which is seen to set soon after sunset. You will not see the moon in this phase after midnight).I vowed no more 18 mile days, but I had to do what I had to do to get to Monson¢¦10 hrs hiking 17.9 mi. from Moxie Bald Mountain past Bald Mountain Pond (outlet), West Branch of Piscataquis River (ford), Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to (870¢), Shirley-Blanchard Road, Monson (900¢), Maine 15 (1,215¢)¢¦At last; the LAST (town in ME)¢¦arrived 5:30 PM.I AM in Monson on the edge of the 100-Mile Wilderness where AT Hikers leaving Monson for Katahdin are warned to carry an 8-10 day supply of food as they enter "the longest remote section along the entire AT" (100 miles). I will heed the warning.Jellybean, Cash, Irish, Lifesaver, Wild Bill and I ¢pigged out¢ at the BBQ**************************************************Monson ¢Now¢: On the shores of Lake Hebron, elevation (850¢), population 666, Monson, is a key resupply point for both southbound and northbound hikers. It offers a general store, hostels, hardware store, laundromat and a few restaurants.However¢¦RED ALERT: IF YOU DON¢T HAVE CASH OR A DEBIT CARD WHEN YOU ARRIVE MONSON¢¦TURN AROUND BECAUSE YOUR TRIP COULD BE OVER! YOU CANNOT USE A CREDIT CARD ANYWHERE IN THIS TOWN: RESTAURANTS, GROCERY STORES, LODGING.I cannot use my credit card, don¢t have a debit card, and, when my money runs out, I am at the mercy of others kindness until I get 4-5 days into the wilderness where I charge supplies. I will be okay, but this fact should be known and communicated to ALL ¢AT¢ HIKERS BEFORE they arrive in Monson. Not only have I arrived the edge of the Wilderness; I¢ve plunged into the credit abyss...BEWARE all who are enroute!That being said¢¦Monson covers 47.1 square miles of mostly forested rolling hills and is located along Routes 6 and 15, eight miles north of Abbot Village, and approximately midway between Guilford and Greenville. Mt. Katahdin, the northeast terminus of the 2176 mile Appalachian Trail is 100 (hiking) miles. Bangor, Maine, is approximately a one and one-half hour drive southeast, on Route 15.Moosehead Manufacturing, a large furniture making operation, comprises the Town of Monson's largest industry. Other residents are employed in actual woods operations, or in nearby wood and textile mills. A significant number run small business of their own, including lodging facilities for Appalachian Trail hikers passing through town. Two popular facilities: Shaw¢s on Pleasant Street and The Pie Lady on Main Street offer hikers friendly, hospitable lodging.I am staying at Shaw's Boarding House which has welcomed more than 30,000 thru-hikers from all over the world for years. After 27 years in the business, Pat and Keith Shaw have ¢moved on¢ and sold the business to Dawn MacPherson-Allen a teacher who grew up and still lives two houses up Pleasant Street from Shaw¢s and Susan Stevens who moved to Monson a few years ago after many visits with her in-laws. This is a ¢must stop¢ for an ¢all you can eat¢ breakfast and dinner are served family style ¢ delicious, friendly, warm, welcoming, comfortable.   Zero day tomorrow (and possibly Saturday). Go to the post office, claim my boots, trailmix, glucosamine and very much needed warrrrrrrrmmmmm sleeping bag and mail a package.    Rest, eat, resupply and ready for the final stepsCan¢t see rushing out into the Wilderness as it¢s going to be long, physical and remote. On the other hand, motivation to move is scintilating and strong.¢Katahdin Countdown¢¢¦ stuck on 10!I¢ll walk where my own nature would be leading ¢It vexes me to choose another guide¢¦            -EmilyBronte ¢