Date: 2015-06-24
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Hurd Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 13.4

I woke up 30 minutes before my dad to pack my backpack. The going was slightly slow that morning, but both of us eventually managed to get packed, showered, and dressed by 5:30. Pops had an 11:30 AM flight out of Portland, so really had to get going.We stopped at Dunken Donuts for some breakfast sandwiches and coffee, which cost us some time...sorry old man. By the time he dropped me off at Katahdin Stream Campground in Baxter it was 7:00, and you could tell he was slightly nervous about making the flight.We didn't need to say many things as far as goodbyes went. The mountain was more than a peak in mere topography for the two of us. We had become more than just father and son, or maybe we had just become better at the father/son relationship...I'm not really sure. I do know that me telling him I loved him meant more to me that day then it did in the past, and his parting words of "I'm proud of you" practically felt tangible in the air.He left, and I walked. I laugh now because I will be doing the second part of that sentence for quite some time. I registered at the Ranger Station. I had met this particular ranger the night before. When she said, "Oh, so you're a thru hiker," it kind of caught me off-guard. After a brief pause I let out a chuckle and stated, "Well today I am." I have a feeling I will be using that until I get some honest miles under my belt. She gave me a carbon copy of the form to turn in the hiker box at the end of Baxter, which was just a SHORT 9.4 miles away.It was 7:30 when I started the trail, and by the time I had left Baxter my dad's plane had just taken off. I had learned a few things in that time: fording streams can be fun and wet, just because I'm off the mountain doesn't mean the granite ends, and I can keep a very pleasant conversation with myself.Leaving Baxter you are rewarded with an awesome view of Katahdin from Abol Bridge. It wouldn't be the last time I saw the mountain, but seeing it on a pleasant, sunny day fore the first time made me laugh. According to the guidebook, Abol Bridge Campgroud & Store sells fuel and has a restaurant. This was only partially true. It sold knock off heet for thrice the price, and the restaurant wasn't open yet because they could find a cook. To give the devil their due they sold the best convenience store sandwich I've ever had, and sold single serve salt & vinegar chips...I left a happy man.I had told my dada that I would stay at Abol, but I decided to press on and start the 100 mile wilderness. There is a sign there that warns people that this si the most remote stretch of the AT. I had the recommended 10 day supply of food, so I smiled and continued on my way.For that most part the first couple of miles of the 100 mile wilderness is pretty enjoyable. It's flat, and that ground is covered in pine needles. Compared to Katahdin it is like walking on shag carpet...so much awesome. About a mile before Hurd Lean-to my feet just up and gave up. I wanted to go further, but I am learning to listen to my feet.I set up my tent behind the shelter, and went for a nap at the amazing time of 3:00. I woke up a couple of hours later to people arriving at the shelter. Something inside me decided not to be sociable. I hope this doesn't last, but at the same time I'm starting to learn some things about myself in the solitude.