Date: 2004-08-09
From: Cloud Pond Lean-to, Maine

To: Monson, Maine
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: few clouds

19.1 miles todayLydia's Trail Magic HouseMonson, MaineI slept pretty cold last night. I set my tent up to take advantage of the breeze, but the breeze kept me on the chilly side all night. I would wake up every hour or so and readjust my quilt to keep me warmer. I was ready to get up when it got light out.I made my coffee and ate breakfast, then went up to see if John Galt and Coughdrop were up yet. They came in last night with Hippie, but because it was raining and windy, they wimped out and stayed in the shelter.Coughdrop hiked out first and then John Galt and I. Hippie was last again. We caught up to Coughdrop on the way up Barren Mountain and the three of us hiked on another couple of miles to Barren Ledges. That's where Hippie finally caught up because we were taking a break and enjoying the views.John Galt and Coughdrop hiked on and I stayed with Hippie until she was ready to hike again. We all met up together again at Long Pond Stream Lean-to and took another break. John Galt said that he was willing to hike the 19 miles to get to town today. He mentioned something about how good a shower would feel. I didn't push anyone on this hike because I really like taking my time going through the wilderness. Coughdrop agreed with John Galt. I think she could use a shower more than the rest of us. I had to slow down when I got too close to her when we were hiking. She's been fun to hike with and she does the best belches on the trail. Her parents should be proud. She also graduated from Yale. I'm always blown away from the accomplishments of most hikers out here.John Galt and I hiked on. I got to watch John Galt's boot disappear in the mud when he slipped off one of the bog boards crossing a swampy area.Coughdrop was hiking about 5 minutes ahead of us and Hippie was about 20 minutes behind us. She just couldn't get into the groove today.We got to Wilson Valley Lean-to and everyone made a hot lunch. I never do that, but I followed the lead today and had my dinner for lunch. John Galt started cooking another dinner, so Coughdrop and I hiked on. She kept a real good pace going up and down the mountains...the girl can hike when she wants to.I tried rock hopping Big Wilson Stream and almost made it. I came about 3 inches short of making the hop to one of the rocks and landed in water up to my pockets. It did feel good to be in cold water though. Coughdrop forded it in her sandals. We decided to keep a good pace the rest of the day. We caught and passed Gerald and Mark, who were on the last day of their hike.We ran into a nobo by the name of Flyboy and then shortly after that, we ran into Hamburglar and another guy that I can't remember his name. We got to Leeman Brook Lean-to and ran into a sobo by the name of Bobby. We were going to leave John Galt and Hippie a note in the register, but it was full and there was no room anywhere to write.Coughdrop and I hiked on to finish the last 3 miles to the road. She was starting to slow down a bit, but she usually limits herself to 15 mile days.When we got to the road, we started hitching a ride. In about 5 minutes, 50-50 showed up in a van. He got a ride out of the wilderness today. His hiking partner, Spirit Walker was hiking with John Galt and Hippie since the last shelter.He gave Coughdrop, Bobby and me a ride to my truck in Monson. Coughdrop checked on a place to stay and called to see how late the chicken place was open in Greenville. I picked her and Bobby up and we went back to see if the others had come out from the trail yet.They hadn't, but 50-50 said if we picked him and Spirit Walker up some chicken, he would make sure they all stayed there at the trailhead. I drove to Greenville and dropped Bobby off at the grocery store to resupply. Coughdrop and I went and order 7 dinners to go at Flatlander's in Greenville.I went next door and bought John Galt and Hippie some beer to go with their dinner and I got a coke for me.I still had some time, so I sent in my journal entries and recieved my email. It took almost 10 minutes on the phone for the pocketmail thing to do it's thing.Perfect timing because I saw Coughdrop coming out of the restaurant just as the pocketmail finished recieving email.We picked up Bobby on the way back to the trailhead. When we got to the trailhead, everyone was waiting on us.John Galt was so happy, he was practically jumping in front of the truck to get at the food.We all sat around and ate right there. No one even bothered to get into their packs for a spoon for the coleslaw...it was just dirty fingers shoveling food in. We were 7 happy people to have real food. It got dark and 50-50 and Spirit Walker had a ways to drive, so they took off.We finished off the rest of the food and then headed for town.About 3/4 of the way there, I saw Gerald and Mark walking down the road. I turned around and gave them a lift to their van. I got to lift their packs into the back of the truck. They had just come out of the wilderness and their packs still weighed between 50 and 60 pounds...that's with no food. They must have weighed close to 80 pounds going into the wilderness. No wonder Mark always looked tired when we would fly by them on the trail.I think they will cut their weight considerably for their next hike. They walked 120 miles with those heavy packs.We came over here to Lydia's Trail Magic House and talked to Bull and Tom for a while.Coughdrop finally got her shower...YEAH!!!John Galt is sleeping in the front of my truck, I'm in the back and the girls are sharing a bed in the house.Another great day on the A.T.