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.

Sept 2 - Moxie Bald Lean-To
18.8 miles / mile 2040.2
others here: David and Dan (father and son)

Sleeping in the shelter for a change in the hopes of getting an earlier start tomorrow.  (Normally I tent even though I stay at a shelter site).  Plan to get into Monson tomorrow. 

Enjoyed sitting by the pond as the twilight approached.  There were a couple loons on the pond, though they were not very vocal.

Sept 3 - Shaw's in Monson
17.9 miles / mile 2058.1
others here:  Pez, Bag, Paladin, Red, Dejavu & Songbird, Zapman & Sparky, Spiderman

Arrived at 3pm and it was nice to have some time to relax.  The Shaw’s put on quite a dinner.  A steak dinner from their own beef, no less. Breakfast tomorrow; then I have to decide whether to switch to my cold weather sleeping bag and it's off into the 100 mile wilderness.

Sept 4 - Shaw's again
0 miles
others here: everyone from last night, Packman, Dan & David, Freemont

Well, the weather and perhaps a desire to prolong the inevitable convinced me to stay another day.

Sept 5 - Long Pond Stream Lean-To
15.1 miles / mile 2073.2
others here: Paladin, Spiderman, Pez, Bag, a group from College of the Atlantic

We are now in double digits.  According to my data book it is 99.4 miles to the summit of Katahdin.

I think I know where I would like to go after summitting.  Cutler Coast.  The college kids highly recommended it.  Part of the trail is along the coast and you can see whales.

Sept 6 - South side of Plesant River
15.3 miles / mile 2088.5
others here: Zapman & Sparky, Dejavu & Songbird

I had intended to go 20 today but the terrain was much more difficult than expected.  When I arrived here at about 5pm it was an easy decision to stay.  They had actually waited for me so I could camp with them.  They are all great people to be around and I would be happy to summit on the same day as them; in fact, I would be proud to summit with any of the folks I have been hiking around lately.

Sept 7 - East Branch Lean-To
16.3 miles / mile 2104.8
others here: Spiderman, Paladin, Zapman & Sparky, Dejavu & Songbird

Started out this morning by fording the Pleasant river.  This is the first time I have had to get my feet wet.  All the other fords, whether rivers or streams, have been do-able by rock hopping.  I sent my sandals home months ago to save weight so I had to go across bare foot.  Literally bare foot; only one.  I found a flip flop along the bank and wore it on my left foot to cross.

Today was a much easier day than yesterday.  Will tomorrow continue the trend?  One can only hope since I want to do around 20.

Enjoyed watching the sunset tonight.  There were some dark clouds moving South and some thinner red clouds up higher that seemed to be moving west.  I especially enjoyed watching the mirror image in the stream below.

Sept 8 - White House Landing
21.8 miles + 1.2 to boat dock/ mile 2126.6
others here: Dejavu & Songbird, Paladin, a sobo from Chattanooga

A high pressure system moved in overnight.  I could tell because it got cold early this morning and my empty water bottle was compressed.  This could be good news for weather on my summit day - Friday.

It sure is nice to walk an easy trail again.  I said goodbye to Zapman and Sparky at the last shelter.  They were staying there while I decided to go on to White House Landing.  Originally, I had planned to stop at the shelter and spend another night outdoors but the hamburgers at WHL were calling to me.  My stomach won out over my poetic nature. 

White House Landing is an interesting place.  It is about 73 miles into the 100 mile wilderness and the only access from the AT is by boat.  You walk about a mile of the trail and then blow an air horn located next to a dock.  He drives a boat over and picks you up.  By the way, the hamburger was worth it.  It was at least an inch thick.  I had one of these 3/4 lb burgers and a pint of Ben & Jerry's ice cream.

How could I forget to mention that I had my first view of the big mountain today!  And the full moon over the lake at WHL was breath taking.

Sept 9 - Rainbow Stream Lean-To
15.9 miles / mile 2142.5
others here: Paladin, Shrek, Walkabout, Carrot Slayer, Cee Bee, Copy Cat

Beautiful walking today.  I spent over half an hour enjoying a sandy beach at Nahmakanta Lake.  Had a second glimpse of Katahdin during the walk today and tried not to think about the fact that this wonderful communion with nature is almost finished. 

Sept 10 - Abol Bridge Campground
15.0 miles / mile 2157.5
others here: no one yet but expect Paladin; Cee Bee & Copycat, Dejavu & Songbird must have gone on

Another easy day; I arrived at 1:30pm expecting to find Dejavu & Songbird but I guess they went on to the Birches.
Just south of the road there was a cooler filled with trail magic (sodas and other treats).  I mention it mostly because it reminded me of a humorous daydream.  Earlier I was daydreaming about Hostess Twinkies.  I wonder how much time the average thru hiker spends thinking about food.  Anyway this cooler contained Hostess Cup Cakes, which served in a pinch.

Already I feel somewhat out of place in this car campground.  So sad to leave the wilderness and already longing to return.  It was a walk filled with trying not to think about the "finish."  There was some musing about what I have learned and how I have changed.  For the most part, I expect others will be able to see the changes better than I.  How can I possibly share 5 months of musings?  Perhaps a couple things ...

I've learned a great deal about people and our need for one another.  Even on a journey such as this that many expect to be solitary I was highly dependent upon the help and companionship of others.  I've eaten more Snickers, more Lipton pasta, and drank more soda (while in town) than the average person should consume in years.  I've learned more than I ever expected to know about marijuana and seen the inside of more bars than ever before.  Seriously ...

John the Baptist called Jesus the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.  This relates to a major lesson that 5+ months of semi-wilderness has brought home to me.  We (or I) can take ourselves out of the world and its harmful influences, but it is fruitless if we carry the world within us waiting to be awakened at the first opportunity.  Our only hope is that Jesus will take away our sin.  I am at His mercy. 

I've learned much about the beauty and glory of nature.  If I were only a poet and could share the half of it.  This creation is a complex and ongoing symphony.  I see in it praise, worship obedience, love, and so much that is a declaration of our Lord.  Psalm 104

Sept 11 - The Birches Lean-Tos
9.9 miles / mile 2167.4
others here:  CeeBee & Copycat, Shrek

I had the pleasure of meeting Dejavu & Songbird after their ascent.  Also Pez, Anishanabe, VT Pete, Spiderman, and Gutzy.  It was especially good to see VT Pete.  I've been trailing him for several weeks but had not seen him since Waynesboro, VA.

What's left to say?

It's the mountain tomorrow.

Sept 12 - Katahdin
5.2 miles + 5.2 back down / mile 2172.6
others who summitted today: Zapnan & Sparky, Paladin, Bag, Shrek, CeeBee & Copycat, Walkabout, Carrot Slayer

I'm not feeling very wordy - it's too hard to translate everything into words.  Just a few details.

I saw small bear just below the summit but above tree line at the table lands.  At the summit I saw a martin (weasel like critter).  According to the ranger, I was very fortunate because the martins are uncommon and it is very rare to see bears at such elevation.

When I could first see the Katahdin sign from a distance, I started running uphill.  Soon I came to my senses and realized that this would be a bad place to break my ankle.

The climb was the most difficult of the hike.  It was essentially a 2 mile climb followed by a 3 mile rock scramble; a 4000 ft elevation gain.  It goes without saying that it was also the most rewarding.  I reached the top and just hunched over with my head resting on the sign.  Though others broke down and wept, this was the extent of my emotion.  I was very grateful for the added gift of 15 minutes on the summit alone.  I was the first one at the top.  The morning began at 6:35 and I reached the summit at 9:15.