Date: 2004-06-19
From: Abol Bridge Campground

To: Katahdin Stream Campground
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: light rain

Log entry: 140 Weather: Rain all morning with some breaks in the afternoon. The evening was dry and a little cool. Breakfast- doughnut holes, poptarts, Sunny delight Lunch- beef jerkyDinner- Tonka toasters, Pringles, and Code Red Mountain DewTrail description: A final, easy stretch. It paralleled some rivers and ponds. Also some very interesting boulders. Both of the Niagara falls were worth the side trips.People: Dad, Gina and Mike, RickAnimals: a bull moose eating in the middle of Elbow PondMoney: noneBiggest complaint: Rain, the rain didn¢t make me very excited to want to hike. In fact, I just wanted to stay dry somewhere. But I really wanted to go home, so we had to hike today.Narrative: Everyone was awake by 0830 or so, Mike and Dad were still tired I imagine, but we had things to do today. We really wanted to all hike the next 10 miles to Katahdin Stream campground, but with only one vehicle it seemed like an impossible goal. We decided to just head to Katahdin Stream camprground, in Baxter state park, get out campsite, and try to get a ride back from there. It began to rain just before we were finished packing up, but nothing of vital importance got wet.We rolled to Baxter, checked out the visitor¢s center, then moved on to the campground and ranger station. I asked on of the rangers if he knew of anyone in the park that would be able to shuttle us back to Abol bridge. The ranger introduced us to Rick, who is doing some volunteer work at the park. He was going to head into Millinocket in about half an hour and agreed to shuttle us there.So we got our gear together and headed for Abol bridge. Oh yeah, the only bad part was the open bed of the pickup. My dad and I huddled in the back of that during the 50 ride back to Abol Bridge. It wouldn¢t have been so bad if it wasn¢t raining and 40 degrees.We said a temporary goodbye to Rick and made plans to meet him later tonight to chat some more. He is one of those good guys that gives without accepting anything in return.Today¢s walk was pleasant, even in the rain. It was nice to have Dad and Mike to join Gina and me. We took our time, snapping plenty of pictures and checking out waterfalls or rapids. We saw a moose feeding in the middle of a lake. At first we all assumed it was a rock, but saw it raise it¢s enormous head out of the lake. We were all amazed at how long it could stay underwater.By about 16:00 we were back at the minivan and changed into dry clothes. It was also chow time. The clouds were beginning to clear and Katahdin came into view. We ate in the day use shelters. A wonderful meal. After dinner we set up the tent and readied for an evening of inactivity. The plan was to watch TV. Yup, that¢s right. Game 5 of the NBA Finals. Dad had brought games 4 and 5 of the finals as well as a 9 inch color TV with VCR. As we settled into the van and flipped it on we were disappointed to find that the VCR function wouldn¢t work due to humidity.   Its an automatic function where the word ¢Dew¢ flashes across the screen. A sensor inside determined that the humidity was too high within the unit there could possibly be short circuits and permanent damage to the unit. So your probably thinking, no dice on Game 5 tonight. If you have been following my journal the whole way, you may have picked up on the fact that I am stubborn. Well, that character flaw comes from my beloved father. We all wanted to watch the game, so we were going to watch the game.The plan was simple, put the VCR on the floor in the van, and run the heater until it was warm and dry. So we headed over to where Rick was camped and let the van run while we chatted some more.Rick had all kinds of information for us. Stories about The Mountain, the park, and of Maine. Also about how cheap land is out here. Too bad its so far away from home.After a good long time idling, the VCR was game on, and so were we. We settled in for a long evening of rewinding, high fives, and snack foods. It never occurred to me as I watched the Pistons pound the Lakers that tomorrow my hike would be over. Not that it really mattered, since it still doesn¢t seem like I did anything. It hadn¢t sunk in then and it hasn¢t yet.But after another late night, we retreated into the tent. The last 140 days have been reduced to a single night in the woods. Just one night in the woods.