Date: 2018-09-12
From: ME 27, Stratton 2002.7

To: Spaulding Mt. LT 1989.2
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: mist

Last nite at the Stratton Motel & Hostel I ended up with two roommates in my bunkroom (basically a motel room with two bunkbeds in it): Giggles and FBomb. Couple of interesting trail names. I fixed myself some breakfast in the common area kitchen this AM, the shuttle driver was there promptly at 06:00 as promised, and I was on the trail hiking at 06:30.Yesterday¢s shorter mileage day and Nero were just what the doctor ordered; my legs benefitted from the rest, and they really felt strong most of the day. Folks have always told me that it takes two weeks to get your trail legs back. Well today was my 14th day back on the trail, and I think my trail legs are finally back. Only 13.5 miles today, but lots of climbing: 5,300¢. With the trail conditions being what they were today, with lots of rocks on the steeps, it¢s just not possible for me to pound out big miles. I¢m very cautious/slow on the steeper descents in particular; better safe than sorry. I¢m good with today¢s mileage in any event, and am well positioned to get into Rangeley on Friday as planned. I could have gone a couple more miles today, but Guthook was showing the next campsite as being about 5 miles away - more than I wanted to take on at the end of the day. The Maine woods have been so thick of late, that banking on finding a suitable stealth campsite is a gamble. Today¢s hike took me across the South Branch of the Carrabassett River, which was a rock hop and plank walk. Peaks climbed included North and South Crocker, and the trail skirted by the summits of Sugarloaf and Spaulding. I did not take the side trails to either of these two summits, as I¢ve previously climbed both peaks; better to save my energy this time around for the AT I thought. Weather wise it started out as a damp morning, but the sun started to peak through later in the day. North and South Crocker summits are both heavily forested, and I could really smell the sweet fragrance of the evergreens climbing these peaks. Am starting to see just a little more color in the foliage, but it¢s still a long ways to go till we see peak fall colors. While I was in Stratton yesterday I fixed myself a couple of sandwiches to eat on the trail today: spam and spreadable cheddar cheese on sour dough english muffins. Now that¢s good eatin¢ right there! Dinner was my usual hot meal: freeze dried of some kind with tuna mixed in. My belly is full tonite!As far as my plantar fasciitis is concerned, I had no issues today. At nite I am doing toe crunches like crazy, and I think I have found the right formulae for when and how often to take Ibuprofen. I hate taking those pills, but if that¢s what it takes to keep my heels from becoming inflamed while on this hike I will all too gladly pop a few of these pills. There are several other hikers here at the LT site tonite. They arrived after I had already retired to my tent for the evening so I didn¢t get a chance to speak with them, but I assume they are all NOBOs headed to Katahdin. I am happy for them, they are nearing the end of their epic journey!I am safe, warm and dry in my tent tonite. Goodnite.