Date: 2004-09-19
From: E. Flagstaff Rd.

To: Pierce Pond Stream (Harrison's Camps)
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: light rain

16.0 mi. in 9 hrs.The wind blew hard last night, popping my rear tent stay loose twice. Aside from tent maintenance, had a good night's sleep and the temps stayed fairly warm for the season. Pete and I hiked out of our gravel pit by 7 AM and set out to do bigger miles than in recent weeks, thanks to a fairly level trail profile. On reaching Long Falls Dam Road we saw a big "2000" painted in white on the tar. Another photo-op!Another milestone!The rest of the day's hike covered familiar ground, since Gloria and I hiked it to Caratunk last year. It was fun recognizing familiar scenes, like Arnold's Bog and the esker ridge trail beyond it. I hiked on ahead, and lunched at a fine little sandy beach on the shore of East Carry Pond. No chance to swim, as there was a chill, hard wind from the west and little sun.Arnold swamp seen from esker above The weather radio threatened frost tonight. That along with the stiff breeze would pose a challenge for us to stay warm. I was getting steadily chillier by the time I reached the shelter. So it was no surprise Pete and I chose a "hiker special" deal on a cabin at Harrison's Pierce Pond Camps nearby. Our cabin has two big beds, a small woodstove which is throwing a delightful warmth around, and lanterns all around. A shower and a monster breakfast are included. Let it freeze! We're meeting fewer hikers all the time. We know of ones still behind us, but the bulk have already sped by. Groups I hiked with months ago are now two or more weeks ahead.That gets down to a question often asked by non-hikers: can you do the hike alone? A: Sure, but you're never really alone unless you wish to be. I met one good hiking partner on my first night out. I've fallen into loose hiking coalitions for long periods, until I left the trail for a few days on three occasions. Then I would fall in with another. It's good to be with a group at the end of!the day, to share experiences and plan for the next stretch. It's also fun to hike all or part of a day with someone whose pace and temperment agree with yours. Another frequent question: can a woman hike it alone? A: Definitely. Frequently they pair up, or fall in with a mixed group. Some get unwanted male attention, but pest management's handled the same way they do in the real world: "Not interested. Go away." One young male hiker is known up and down the trail for being desperate for affection and clueless as to go about it. Any woman subjected to his attention wanted to escape the scene ASAP. Once, he laid hands on a girl whose hiking partner had departed camp a few minutes earlier. She was able to shove him away. Not a dangerous situation, but annoying.A good number of couples form, some briefly, but some others for keeps. And women can do the miles just as well as the guys. I know our hosts Tim and Fran from Gloria's and my visit on our section hike in 2002. Tim had also driven an injured thru-hiker down to the nearest hosp!ital, mine in Skowhegan, where I stitched him up. He remembered me from back then. The hiker has kept in touch with him as well as with me. Tim brought us two huge chunks of wedding cake from a recent reception there. A tasty end to a long day. That also explained the rose petals strewn along the log walkway into camp, and the white balloons tied to the trees along the way. Fed, showered, ready for the night. Tomorrow, a canoe trip across the Kennebec over to Caratunk!G'nite!Now or Never