Aug 1 - Stony Brook Shelter
10 miles/mile 1694.7
no others here

Left the Inn in a driving rain; boy was that mentally difficult.  That's why I only made it 10 miles today.  I got into this dry shelter and couldn't pull myself away.  Now I will have to do 21 tomorrow and 15 the next day into Hanover.  That's ok though I prefer to do shorter mileage into town. 

Finch and Ma Finch offered to slack me 6 miles and then take me back to a hotel in town, but I decided against it.  Ma Finch was even waiting at two road crossings when I passed by to ask me again.  I just didn't want to spend the money, and by doing 5 extra miles I am still within 2 days of Hanover.  They were so very gracious to offer.  I see why she is called Ma Finch.

I was thinking on my way here of a comparison to give people an idea about hiking in this kind of weather.  Imagine leaving your nice warm house to go for a long walk in a driving rain storm.  Then imagine doing this with the knowledge that you will be spending the night away from your warm house and will put back on the same cold wet clothes in the morning to walk on rain or shine.

I'm not complaining by any means, in fact I'm loving it.  For me this is real living.  I would so much rather be enjoying the beauty of creation in any weather than what many people call life; sitting in front of a glowing rectangle within a cubicle only to drive home and sit watching a larger glowing rectangle in a larger cubicle.  Both those rectangles may contain some representation of a small part of life, but it's just a reflection and IT IS NOT REAL.

Aug 2 - Thistle Hill Shelter
21.5 miles / mile 1716.1
others here: Flanders, Chicken Feet, & Carston

Sort of a roller coaster to get here.  Lots of ups and downs and I am tired.  I think my new shoes don't fit as well as the others because me feet are more sore than normal.  Enough of that.

John F. will be interested to know that I passed some wild bergamot on one of the grassy balds.  According to tradition, I stopped in mid ascent to gaze upon their beauty and pick some leaves for tea later.  I also found a piece of hard candy still in the wrapper on the trail.  What a treasure.  Of course I picked it up and ate it.  I guess the saying is true ... What separates a thru hiker from a bum?  A thin layer of gortex  ;)

The others at the shelter had picked some mushrooms (they knew what they were doing) and they cooked them up in butter.  They let me taste some and we shared the bergamot tea. 

Aug 3 - Panarchy house in Hanover
14.6 miles
others here: Eric, Chicken Feet, Flanders, Carsten, Groundhoug (sobo)

An easy hike into town.  Staying in the dank basement of what used to be a Frat house but now seems to serve the same purpose but is unaffiliated with Dartmouth (I think). 

Aug 4 - same as last night
0 miles

Last night the other hikers had quite a drinking party and they eventually joined in a game of beer pong with the members of Panarchy.  I was sleeping on one of the damp mattresses in the basement.  It should come as no surprise that I didn't want to stay another night in Hanover.

Went into West Lebanon to get some things from the outfitter.  NH & VT have very nice bus systems.  I am now wearing my 5th pair of shoes.  The shoes I got in Great Barrington were too big for me and made my feet quite sore.  Apparently my feet are difficult to fit.  Seems like a trail name could come out of this.  Anyway, hopefully I will be good for awhile.  I got Nike Pegasus trail runners.  Since I have worn Pegasus for running for the past several years these should hopefully work well for me.

Actually, I still haven't left town but I plan to go just to the first shelter so I can get out of here.  It took much longer than expected at the outfitter and the shoe store so I didn't get back till around 2:30pm.  Heard a rumor about all you can eat pizza for $5 so I may stay long enough for that.

Well, didn't make it out of town.  Just took too long finding these shoes and now with a full belly, I don't feel like walking.  1.5 wouldn't have made much difference anyway

Aug 5 - Trapper John Shelter
16.7 miles / mile 1747.5
others here: Splash & Cobra, Flanders & Chicken Feet, Paladin.  (walked with Finch for a while but he stopped at the last shelter)

Yesterday's entry may be confusing.  I had written most of it planning to go 1.5 to the first shelter but the rain and AYCE pizza changed my mind.  Panarchy was much more quiet than yesterday.  Nick, Paladin, Chicken Feet & Flanders also stayed there.

Been thinking about what I wrote the other day regarding reality and the glowing rectangles.  It seems we build our lives and homes in such a way to keep out nature's elements.  Do we do the same thing with our complicated lives to keep out the spiritual?  I wonder if Jesus was alluding to this in the parable of the seeds sown among thorns or when he talked about the extreme difficulty for the rich to enter the kingdom of Heaven.

Aug 6 - NH 25A in the governor's mansion (former Gov. Thomson"s barn)
16.9 miles / mile 1764.4
others here: Chicken Feet & Flanders, Jason and Sativa (his dog)

Chicken Feet, Flanders, and I seemed to be racing the rain all day.  We lost the first race and got soaked before reaching the shelter.  The second contest was against thunder and lightning coming over the exposed top of mnt Cube.  We could hear the rolling thunder directly overhead, but made it over without incident.

Aug 7 - Hiker's welcome hostel
11.5 miles
others here: Chicken Feet & Flanders, Splash & Cobra, Paladin, Jason & Sativa. SoBos - Eight Ball, Zigzag, about 5 others.

Easy day except for a 5 mile mosquito infested swampy area.  I hiked an extra mile or two because I ignored one of the first rules of thru hiking.  "Don't believe day hikers."  I was confused about how to get to the hostel when I arrived at 25 and asked two guys that were just getting out of their car.  They told me if I crossed the road and continued on the trail, I would cross another road in about 0.5 miles that would take me right there.  Well, it took me there alright but it was a 1.5 mile road walk.  It was also an extra 1.5 or 2 miles up the trail ... at least I got the miles in.  It turns out that if I had just turned right on 25, the hostel would have been literally right around the corner.

Aug 8 - Gordon Pond (stealth camping)
11.5 miles / mile 1787
no others here

So glad I stopped here.  I was planning to push another 4 miles to the next shelter but I was worn out and baled early.  The pond is beautiful.  Can I wake up for a sunrise?  We shall see.

Left Glencliff at 9am and arrived here at about 5pm.  This included a long break at the top of Moosilauke, a short lunch, and a break at Lost River Gorge.  The hike up Moosilauke was fairly easy but coming back down was another story. It took me 1.5 hours to descend 1.5 miles of steep trail with rock steps, wooden block steps and rebar handholds in places.  The waterfall along side the trail made it all worth while.

When I stopped at the Lost River Gorge, I felt like one of the attractions for the tourists.  To your left are the gorge and caverns.  To your right you will see a thru hiker, easily recognized by his beard and grungy clothes.  These hikers can often be sensed long before seen by their distinctive odor.  Please do not feed the hikers because they learn to associate food with tourists and have been known to become a nuisance.

Aug 9 - 0.25 m south of US 3
12.5 miles
no others here

Today was easier hiking and I got a little bit of a view from North Kinsman peak.  Much of the climb up to N Kinsman was pretty steep.  It was often easier to climb hand over hand rather than use the hiking poles.

I met a very nice lady at the Lonesome Lake Hut.  I'm sorry that I didn't get her name but she made sure that I was fed before I left.  Normally soup and baked goods cost a few dollars but she wouldn't let me pay.  She was one of those people whom you walk away from wishing you had more time to spend with them.

A word about the huts.  They are situated throughout the Whites to serve shelter and refuge for hikers but their primary purpose is something of a mountain getaway.  They charge rather high overnight fees for guests.  Usually 2 - 4 thru hikers are permitted to work for their stay.  In this way I hope to get breakfast, dinner, and a night's shelter at several of the huts.

Aug 10 - N. Woodstock, NH
0.25 miles

It stormed all night last night and my great new lightweight tent idea was a flop.  Water from condensation on the inside of the rainfly rained on my face and everything else all through the rain. Everything including my sleeping bag was soaked. 

Some people woke me at 6:20 in the morning asking for directions to a trail.  The stream I was sleeping next to had risen and swept away everything but themselves.   They huddled under a poncho until daylight.  If I had not crossed that stream last night, I would not have been able to get across today.  It was a raging torrent.

I got to the road and after trying for a while prayed for a ride to town.  Someone immediately picked me up.  I told him I needed to go to a hotel to dry off and he said he worked at the very hotel I was planning to stay.  So here I am.  Everything has been washed and dried and most importantly my sleeping bag is dry.

Aug 11 - N Woodstock
0 miles
others here: Packman (last saw him in Pearisburg), Paladin, Grumble & Bee

All was going well this morning at 9am, though a little later start than I prefer, when I got a hitch out of town.  Things were looking strangely unfamiliar so after about 5 miles I asked the young lady that picked me up to drop me off at a gas station.  Turns out I had hitched the wrong direction out of town.  Thankfully, someone else picked me up rather quickly and I was back in town by 10.  By the time I was ready to start off again it was 11.  Since I have at least 10 miles to the next shelter over Mnt Lafayette, I opted to stay yet another day in town.  I am now restricting myself to shelters and huts until I can get my full tent back (in Gorham).

Normally 10 miles is a piece of cake but so far in the Whites, I've found 10 or 12 miles to be a day's affair.  Since the next 10 includes Mt Lincoln, Mt Lafayette, and Mt Garfield, I decided to wait and start early tomorrow.  Hopefully, this will get me some clear weather along with the additional time. 

A couple things I forgot to mention earlier:

Starting off for the Whites a few days ago, I was quite nervous.  It was the sort of feeling I get before a race or a marathon.  Just like in a race, once I got started I was fine.  Moosilauke and Kinsman turned out to be tough but not as bad as I had imagined.  I'll just take it a day at a time and enjoy myself in the process.  Who knows; there may even be a clear day along the way for a nice view.

When I stayed at Gordon Pond, I was awakened by two moose around 1am.  One was splashing around in the pond and the other was quite close to my tent (or should I say the leaky rainfly).  I was a little bit groggy at such an early hour, but decided not to attempt a look because I didn't want to startle them.  The next morning I found large moose tracks about 20 ft from my tent.

Maybe I'll share something about what I've been meditating of late.  Just skip the rest of today's entry if you don't want to read more talk about simplicity.

"Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.  Fixing our eyes on Jesus; the author and perfector of our faith." It's amazing to me how much this walk with Jesus is like long distance hiking.  On this trip I have a definite ultimate goal.  However, I seldom think about that goal.  All of my energy, both mental and physical, is focused upon the day's walk.  It goes without saying, in my mind, that I will complete the journey and I do everything in my power to make this a reality.  The journey is so important to me that I will do whatever it takes to keep hiking.  One learns that much considered essential is actually luxury.  If there is something I can do without, I will "cast it away from myself."  Sometimes I go to far and have to take something back (like my tent) and sometimes I probably do not go far enough.  Some people can do without more than others and some are able to carry more weight - there is no cookie cutter mold.  I learn as I!
go. 

I ask myself, why do I carry such heavy burdens in this life?  Do they hinder my walk with Jesus?  How often do I lose focus and forget that the trappings of this life are not the goal?  What is my pearl of great price and what will I do to attain it?

Aug 12 am - Hopefully Garfield ridge campsite

Yesterday was a rainless, though muggy day.  Today it is raining again.  I have waited as long as I can for the rain to stop and it is just spritzing now.  It's 9am and I need to get back on the trail.  As the saying goes, No rain, no pain, no Maine.

Aug 12 - Garfield Ridge Campsite (shelter)
10.3 miles
others here: Paladin, Swag, Louise, Tom & Tessa (father & daughter)

No views today, rainy and overcast, sigh ... maybe eventually.

Aug 13 - Ethan Pond Shelter
14.5 miles/mile 1824.7
others here: Nick & Paladin

Last night was a partly sleepless night due to a rumbling snorer.  A lady that shall remain nameless came into the shelter exhausted and slept between me and Swag.  Why is it that people who snore always get to sleep first?  At one point, I just had to laugh as I felt the floor beneath me vibrating.  We didn't wake her up but finally turned around with our heads at her feet and were able to get some sleep.

I caught back up with Nick, Chicken Feet, Flanders, Splash, Cobra, and Amble.  The last 3 stayed at Zealand Falls Hut and Chicken Feet & Flanders went on past this shelter.

I love blue skies! Thank God, I had some nice views from the summits in the afternoon today and the sun actually came out.  I love the sun too. 

Saw a large bull moose just before the trail to the shelter.  We stood regarding each other for quite some time, though it's likely I was the more impressed of the pair.  Silly me didn't keep the camera out the entire time but I did get one very nice picture.

Aug 14 - Lakes of the Clouds hut
14.1 miles / mile 1838.8
no others here

Today was a beautiful day.  I must have taken twice as long to walk since I stopped at every overlook.  Many of the climbs were steep, but they don't seem difficult when there is so much beauty around.

Hiked over Mount Pierce/Clinton, Franklin, Eisenhower, Webster, and Jackson.  Clinton is not named for a recent president according to a local I met on the trail.  Clinton was a losing presidential candidate in 1812.  Because he was a strong federalist NH named the peak after him.  The peak was later named after Pierce who was from NH.

I can see why Lakes of the Clouds Hut is the most popular.  It is in a saddle surrounded by small ponds, or lakes, and just below the Mnt Washington summit.  Correction from a previous entry:  it costs $68 to be a guest at the full service huts.

Aug 15 - Osgood Tentsite
10 miles / mile 1848.8
no others here

I am presently sitting in the summit building on Mt Washington.  I arrived at 7:30am and sat at the summit marker until everything opened at 8.  There were some beautiful views of the surrounding peaks framed above and below by the clouds.  It was a little strange to hike up a mountain, crest the summit and find trucks, construction equipment, generators, cars, and tourist shops.  Since I knew they were all here it wasn't too much of a shock and I'll make the best of it with some breakfast.  Actually, it's better than last night at the hut; there were too many people enjoying their "wilderness" experience while being fed extravagant meals by the hut "croo".

Oh the shame of it all ... Yes I am a blue blazer.  I summited Monroe, Washington, Jefferson, Adams, and Madison today.  Tired, feet sore, need sleep, tell tale tomorrow.

I did Monroe, Washington, Jefferson, Adams, and Madison.  The views were wonderful.  I'm sure these will be the kind of pictures where I'll say "and this is another mountain shot," but I couldn't help it.  The climbs were a little tough at times but one doesn't notice when the views are so good.  Monroe, Adams, and Jefferson were 3 or 4 tenths side trail off the AT.  For some odd reason, the AT bypasses these summits.  For Monroe and Jefferson I went up and back, but when I got to Adams it was getting late so I blue blazed and did the loop.  Rather than a clearly defined trail, it was rock/boulder hoping the whole way up (also for Jefferson and Madison).  I missed .5 m on the AT but the blue blaze was .7 or .8 and more difficult over the top of Adams.  This makes me a blue blazer, oh the shame.  It does, however, give me a reason to come back to the Whites ... what a shame. :)

Aug 16 - Wildcat Mountain Summit Peak D
approx 8 miles

Is this the blue blazer curse?  I hiked the 5 easy miles down to Pinkham Notch and then lollygagged down there making good use of the AYCE lunch.  By the time I waddled away, 3 hours had flitted away and stomach was as tight as a drum. 

Hiking up Wildcat, I stopped to put on sunblock at a break from the steep climb and labored on.  Within 10 minutes, I was hearing thunder, and in 5 more I was in a fierce downpour.  Being on a steep, rocky slope, there was nothing to do but huddle under a small spruce and drape the rainjacket over my head until the high winds and rain stopped.  Thankfully, it was over in another 5 minutes.

I was surprised at the top of Wildcat to find the gondola and an open lift building.  After starting up the next steep slope on the way to Carter Notch Hut, I made what I consider a wise decision.  Since I had planned to go further, I made no reservations at Carter Notch and the next tenting opportunity is 3 miles further.  Rather than risk a night hike in this terrain, I opted to turn around and make use of the lift building.  I hope this is allowed; it would be a bummer to get kicked out just before sundown.

It occurs to me that I had blue skies just when crossing the presidential range.  I'm not presumptuous enough to think God would change weather patterns so I could get some nice views, but he might change my schedule and cause me to take two unplanned days in N. Woodstock. 

Aug 17 - Imp Shelter
10.1 miles
others here: Nick, Paladin, Caddis, a father and two daughters, Ron

Hiked with a guy from Boston most of the day.  He is trying to get all the 4000 ft peaks and was up for the day to get the Carter range and Moriah.

Aug 18 - The Barn Hostel in Gorham, NH
8 miles / mile 1874.7
others here: Nick, Chicken Feet & Flanders, Trail Frog, 2x4 & Tyo (dog), ? & Cisco (dog), another couple & dog, Medicine Man, Bree, Space Monkey, Puff Puff & Snappy, a father & son

Easy day into town.  I had one last look at the presidents today, said goodbye and set my face toward Katahdin.  It was a little sad leaving The Whites behind but I look forward to Maine.  Just 16.5 miles from here.

Aug 19 - Page Pond
8 miles / mile 1878.5
no others here

Did not leave town until noon so I only went about 8 miles again.  It is so nice to have my tent back; it gives me so much more flexibility.  Camping next to Page Pond and hoping to see a moose tonight or in morning.

Well, the Whites are behind me and Katahdin waits to the North.  Before I get there, I will walk what some have called the most wild and beautiful part of the trail.  The next 30 miles or so have also been purported the most difficult.  We shall see.  I look forward to what is to come and plan to take my time and enjoy it.

I just watched a cow and calf moose go for a swim on the other side of the pond.  With only their heads, and sometimes shoulders, above water they looked almost like ducks from this distance.  What's next?  Maybe Mars rising in the east over the moose swimming hole.  Make that two cows and three calves.  The second cow had rather frolicsome twins.  They are all out there now swimming and feeding.  I saw a third cow quite close on my side of the pond just below the beaver dam.  I have a feeling there are more based on all the splashing but it is too dark now to see well.

Aug 20 - Full Goose Shelter
13.5 miles / mile 1896.1
others here: Chicken Feet & Flanders, Willy Seay, Dejavue & Songbird, Zapman & Sparky, Bree, Space Monkey, Puff Puff & Snappy, Flowcefus

Make my Page Pond moose total 7.  There was another cow in the pond feeding this morning.

Woohoo, I am now in Maine!  This is something that I never let myself much think about.  I've got Mahoosic Notch tomorrow and looking forward to it.

There was something so peaceful about that pond last night.  As I sat there listening to the night time noises, I was impressed by the fact that it's much the same every night.  No matter what kind turmoil is happening around the world, the same tranquility exists at this pond and many others like it.  I couldn't help but make the connection with the spiritual.  Regardless of the pain, hardships, or failings in our lives there is real peace and stability always at hand.  It is there even when we can not see it.  Brings back the conversation I had with Buffalo Bobby way back in Virginia.

Aug 21 - Baldpate Shelter (no comments from the peanut gallery please John F.)
12 miles / mile 1908.1
others here: Flowcefus, Spiderman, Trail Frog, 3 weekend guys

I am one nacket hiker.  Not to be confused with naked, nacket, which I learned from Nick, is British slang for exhausted.  Today was a long tough day.  I thoroughly enjoyed the romp through Mahoosuc Notch.  I hiked through with Willy Seay and it took us 2.5 hours to go the 1.1 miles.  Even if I had been alone, it would most likely have taken 1.5 hrs.  The notch was fun but just afterward was Mahoosuc Arm.  This I was not expecting and it zapped me.  It was a very steep climb.  Much of the ascent reminded me of a river of granite.  It was a 20 to 40 degree incline up a granite ramp for over a mile.

Kept saying to myself all day "I'm in Maine!"  It's hard to believe but it makes me happy. 

Aug 22 - Andover Guest House - Andover, ME
8 miles / mile 1916.1
others here: Swag, Eric, Stoker, Rocky (sobo)

Happy to be here.  The hike over Bald Pate Mountain was nice.  For some reason my left side has been very tight for the past several days.  It seems to be my IT band so I am doing the stretches Mark taught me for that problem.  I don't want to stay another day though, the thought has crossed my mind, because I'm afraid if I start taking lots of zeros this close to the end I may lose my momentum. 

Aug 23 - Next to Black Brook
10 miles
others here: Nick

Today has been a beautiful day.  It seems like a cool, crisp Fall day.  Got a late start from town today so only made 10 miles.  Both of us had hoped to camp 4 miles further north in an old growth section of the forest.

This is the most questionable water source so far but it's the only one for the next 9 miles.  Guess I'll just have to load it up with chemicals.

My left side still bothers me; it feels tight from the small of my back down to my left thigh.  All I know to do is keep stretching.

Aug 24 - 0.5 N of Sabbath Day Pond Lean-To (actually on a forest road in a Buick Rendesvous)
17.5 miles + 1.5 to car/ mile 1943.7
others here: JK

I was awakened this morning by "splash, splash, chomp, chomp".  And then "splash, clomp, stumble, stumble, sniff, sniff, sniff ... silence... clomp, clomp, clomp, clomp, clomp.
I guess I can't really add this to my moose total since all I could see out my tent door was a dark shape disappearing through the trees.

I am always amazed at how the senses can trigger vivid memories.  I found and ate some wild raspberries and found myself standing in my grandparents’ back yard in Saskatoon, Sask.  I was next to the back gate (which, by the way, has boards painted with alternating white and pastel green).  Next I was sitting on the red stool, the one that has pull out steps, and Grandma was serving me ice cream and raspberries.  I could hear her sweet voice and see her precious beautiful face.  There was such a deep love for Jesus reflected in her face.  All these memories in a matter of seconds.

Here I am walking down the trail, my body and mind 1900 miles from Nashville.  I look up and who do I see walking toward me but JK.  Those who know him won't be surprised that he flew up to Maine, rented a car, bought a topo map, and found a forest road close to the trail in the area where he expected to find me today.  He navigated using the topo map along four wheeler and snow mobile trails to find the AT.  In fact he met the trail just 0.5 miles North from where I was planning to spend the night.  I've been in wonder all day that I am actually walking and then later tenting with JK.  I am greatly blessed to have such a friend.

Just at dusk, two moose cows came out of the trees just 30 feet from us.  I was excited that JK got to see a moose.

Aug 25 - a motel on our way to the Maine coast
8.9 miles + 1.5 from car / mile 1952.6
others here: JK

Hiked the easy 9 miles to the road where JK picked me up and we headed of in the direction of the coast.  Don't know where we will end up ...

Aug 26 - Campsite on Southport Island
0 miles
others here: JK

I can always tell it's about time to get into town when I dream about food as I did last night.  We drove into Rangeley, gave Nick a ride to the hostel, and got some good food ... praise God!

Should I be seeing sailboats while hiking the AT?  Seagulls? Lighthouses?  Lobster traps?  This must be the widest river I've seen so far; where's the other bank?  Is Pemaquid Point on the trail?  I must have missed a blaze somewhere.

We drove out to Pemaquid Point, saw the lighthouse that is on the Maine quarters and experienced the Atlantic.  I had lobster for the first time and I'm afraid it wasn't a pretty site.

Even though we were in a touristy area, it was interesting to watch the lobster fishermen bring in their catch and offload to the dock.  I've seen just enough of the coast to think it would be nice to come back with a little more time and a plan.  Maybe Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park?

Aug 27 - Eddy Pond
3.7 miles / mile 1956.2
no others here

As much as I enjoyed the quick trip to the coast, I am ever so glad to be back on the trail.  I've been pining for the trail since yesterday so setting my feet on the trail late this afternoon was a welcome relief. 

I realized that I misquoted Heb 12 the other day.  At the time I was too lazy to look it up.  The part I left out was very appropriate.  In fact, since I was recently thinking of my grandmother it all seems to fit.  "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith ..."

Aug 28 - Spaulding Mountain Lean-To
15.0 miles / mile 1971.3
no others here

Wow, 200 miles from Katahdin.  It's hard to believe that mountain is just 2 weeks away.  I told my knees and ankles today that if they would give me 2 more good weeks I would give them at least 3 weeks off.  I wonder if they were listening.  Speaking of which, the tightness in my left side is mostly gone.  JK told me he had been praying for me as I am sure others have.  Whether the Lord used the stretching or just did it doesn't really matter.  I'm thankful for the improvement.  The knee was complaining today so I'll keep up the stretching and perhaps try to pacify it with an anti-inflammatory.  Don't like to use those (I've only taken 3 or 4 since Springer) but we'll see.

The best part of the hike today was in the morning over Saddleback Mountain.  Going over Saddleback and The Horn peaks visibility was very low and the wind was raging at 30-40 mph with at least 50-60 mph gusts.  I must admit it was a little disconcerting at times.  My hands were beginning to go numb so I was in quite a hurry to cross the about 2.5 mile above tree line section.  All in all it was an exhilarating experience, especially once I reached the Horn and knew I was almost through it.  The short movie I took from this point (numb fingers and all) shows me swaying back and forth as if I were on the deck of a boat in rough waters. Oh wait, I was a Boat on a raging sea of sorts :)

Aug 29 - The Widow's Walk Inn - Stratton, ME
13.5 miles
others here: Shaka & Aloha.  In the White Wolf Inn:  Chicken Feet & Flanders, Space Monkey, Puff Puff & Snappy, Bree, Paladin, Skywalker, Cakalaki

A town day in the life of Boat:
6:10 - got up.  It was quite cool last night.  I slept with all my clothes and draped my tent rainfly over the sleeping bag since I stayed in the shelter.
6:30 to 7:30 - ate dry Cheerios while in my bag (actually the first time I have eaten still in my bag and only the second I have had dry cereal).  Drank an instant breakfast.
7:30 - drank a liter of water and started out.  Lean-To at (   ) ft
9:00 - 3 miles - reached side trail to Sugarloaf Mountain on Spaulding Mountain 4000  ft.  Had a Snickers bar.
10ish - 5 miles - reached South branch Carrabassett River (2200 ft).  Had ReeseSticks and a Little Debbie chocolate/peanut butter wafers.
11:30ish - 7.3 miles - reached South Crocker Mountain (4040 ft) after a very steep climb.
12ish - 8.4 miles - reached North Crocker Mountain (4228 ft) after a steep descent of about 1000 ft and another steep climb.  I feel like I could climb all day but my knees (especially the left) don't like the steep downs.
2:30 - 13.5 miles - reached Maine 27.  Hitched a ride with Mary and her family after waiting only about 5 minutes.   They are building a house close to Stratton.
2:45 - Picked up my maps and the third book in the C.S. Lewis Space Trilogy from the post office.
3:20 - checked in to the hotel and took a shower.
4:00 - ate cheeseburger lunch at a diner.
5:00 - did laundry and drank a pint of milk.
8:00 - ate dinner with Shaka, Aloha, and Cakalaki.  The local Friday fish fry.  Ohhhh, too much grease :(
9:30ish - blessed sleep.  This was a little later than normal.  Last night I was asleep by 8:00 and average bedtime is probably 9:00.

I was happy to catch up to Shaka & Aloha who passed me while I was at the coast.  It was a happy reunion.  They are planning to finish by Sept. 9, so they will get ahead of me very soon.

About the knees.  I don't want my family worrying.  It really isn't much of anything.  I have had absolutely no physical problems to complain of up to now, so when I got the chance I just had to whine a little.  I'm sure Donny knew this without my mentioning it :)  As long as the pains move around and don't stick to one place to long, I feel that all is well.

Aug 30 - Little Bigelow Lean-To
15.3 miles / mile 2000.1
others here: Shaka & Aloha, Paladin, Runaway's mom, section hiker from VT

I enjoyed very much the opportunity to hike with Shaka & Aloha again.  Aloha "let" Shaka hike ahead with me so we hiked and talked until about noon when we stopped for lunch.  The talk turned toward our after Katahdin plans, among other things.  Afterwards, I went on and they hiked together as usual.  Paladin had come up during lunch break so he and I hiked together the rest of the day.

I expect to have the privilege of Shaka & Aloha's company for at least a few more days.  They plan to summit on the 9th so they will eventually move on ahead of me.  At this time, I expect to summit around the 12th but I remain flexible. It seems strange that we are all talking about our expected summit dates and beginning to think of what we will do afterwards.

Aug 31 - Pierce Pond Lean-To
17.3 miles / mile 2017.4
Others here: Dejavu & Songbird, Zapman  Sparky, Paladin

Hiked to the shelter with Shaka & Aloha and they went on in the hopes of catching the ferry across the Kennebec before the last run at 5pm.

I realized tonight that I only have about 10 days left and I feel sad.  If I push and gain a day I may be able to summit with S & H on the 9th.  I'm not planning it right now, but if it happens it will be nice.  Will John come up?  That would also be nice but I can't count on it.

Sept 1 - Caratunk House in Caratunk, ME
4.0 miles / mile 1021.4
others here: Dejavu & Songbird, Zapman & Sparky, Paladin

I almost feel guilty for stopping here but I realized that I will still be able to hit Monson on the 3rd.  Besides Zapman talked me into it by talking about pizza tonight.  We went to a microbrewery for lunch and I'm sure John F. will be jealous.  Sorry I won't be able to give a report ‘cause I had water.  The others seemed to enjoy the house specialties though.

Shaka & Aloha did not make it to the river in time to catch the last ferry.  They were there at 8:30 this morning when I arrived.  The ferry which is just a canoe took 2 across per trip.  We all arrived at the hostel soon afterwards, I was lured into staying, and Shaka & Aloha went on.