Date: 2003-08-23
From: Bemis Mountain Lean-to

To: Maine 4/Rangely
Miles today: 17.7

I keep saying this, but it's true. What a great day! Weather-wise, socially, hiking-ly. A great day. TB, Tom, Walkabout, Hotdog and I were all shooting for Rangeley today. I was anxious to meet Hummbob and Rejoyce, and I guess the others were just anxious to get to town, because TB and Tom left before us, and Hotdog and I were on the trail a couple of minutes past 7. It's been nice getting up and going early. The mornings are so beautiful. At least they have been lately. I've been blessed with a lot of good days in Maine. Or maybe someOne felt bad for me, with all the rain, fog and clouds I've had on this trip. Anyway, I am thankful.The hiking today was much easier than yesterday, with only one semi-hard climb. We almost averaged 2mph, and that included breaks, plus about an hour and a half of talking to those I met on the trail or at roads. The weather was just great; it cooled off last night, and the humidity dropped. It was windy, but great for hiking.Before Maine 17, we saw a hiker coming south. It was Detour! We met him at Trail Days. He's a NOBO who flipped at Waynesboro, VA to Katahdin and is now going south. We talked to him for about 20 minutes, then went on our way. It's cool to see flip-floppers, especially those that I know! Shortly before Maine 17, there was a note written on a scrap of birch bark: Go, Teresa Go! And just past that: Go, Hotdog Go! I knew Hummbob and Rejoyce were here. Another note was scratched in the dirt: Yo, Teresa! That's so cool! As I climbed up to the road, there they were, sitting in their rental car, with more signs on the car. I snuck up on them, but got caught just before knocking on the window. It was great seeing Hummbob and Rejoyce! They are such special people. We talked, got fed, and hung out in their car for about 45 minutes before they kicked us out so we could finish the next 13 miles before they picked us up.That really kept me going for the rest of the day. Not only the usual thoughts of Town, but to see my friends again and get a chance to talk to them. I wish I had more time, just to visit, but I am trying to get as much in before I get off the trail for the wedding. I'm still not rushing or pushing, but I want to hike every day and make steady progress.We passed an awesome pond. The ponds up here are huge! Most of them, I'd consider lakes, but not in Maine, I guess. They're just ponds. Long Pond had a sandy beach that would be great for hanging out, and swimming, but today it was so windy that there were waves rolling in, just like at the beach at home. If the wind wasn't blowing so much cold air around, I would have considered a swim anyway, but not today.We caught TB, Tom and Walkabout at Sabbath Day Pond Lean-to as they ate lunch and talked to some dayhikers. We joined them for lunch, but TB and Tom left before us. I think they were trying to steal my friends, but that's just my opinion. My goal was to catch up to them before Maine 4. I like a challenge. We actually caught them as they took a break at Swift River Pond Campsite, some 4-plus miles up the trail. We took a break too, and I took advantage of the privy. Once again, Thirsty Boots and Tom left before us. Not long after we left the campsite, we met two hikers coming south. The lady said "You're Wench, aren't you?" That still surprises me when people I don't know know me. It was Bluebearee! She hiked the AT last year, and I corresponded with her via an internet mailing list for women hikers, and email. She lives in the area, and has been following my journal, so knew I'd be nearby. How great to meet my internet friends! I wish I had more time to talk to her too, but still had over 4 miles to go, and the draw to Town was getting stronger. She said I might see her tomorrow on the trail. That would be great if it worked out!About a mile from Maine 4, I saw Hummbob, Rejoyce, Thirsty Boots and Tom on the trail ahead. We all hiked to te parking lot together, and piled into the rental car. Poor Rejoyce had to get really close to stinky me, as I sat on her lap. Luckily it wasn't too long of a ride. We all piled out at the hotel and TB and Tom headed to the outfitter to see what they knew about rooms or hostels in the area. Bob and Joyce had found out that all of the hotels were booked, but hopefully a hostel was available for them. I wished them well, and went up to get out of my stinkies and into the shower. Aaahhhh... a shower! Soap! Shampoo! Heaven! It is so incredibly nice of Bob and Joyce to come up to visit, and provide a room, plus dinner, and rides! It's awesome. I have a lot to be thankful for!I cannot believe how much people have helped me out with this hike. I am so thankful for everything, from rides to good thoughts to cards and letters. I don't know how I can ever repay these people, but hopefully I have been clear in my thanks to them. I hope to be able to pass on some of the good fortune I've had to other hikers in the years to come. It will be difficuly from Florida, but I will do what I can.I have enjoyed hiking with Tom and Thirsty Boots, and Walkabout has been a lot of fun too. I don't know what tentative schedules anyone has for summiting Katahdin, but it would be wonderful if we did it on the same day. With me taking days off for the wedding, it is doubtful though. That is the only drawback to the trail experience: I meet people, and enjoy hiking and talking with them, then we go our separate ways, possibly never meeting again. I like to think I will keep in touch with some of the people I've met, and possibly hike with them again, but I don't know that that will happen. I'll just have to enjoy the time I share with them now.I'm having a great time in Maine. I love the views from the mountains, and from the ponds. It is so beautiful. I know I will miss the trail after this, and will have to visit the mountains again. I won't be able to forget them. Why would I want to?