Month: August 2021

Start: Stealth Site near Harrison’s (AT mi 2038.2). Stop: The Sterling Inn (AT mi 2041.9). Today’s miles: 3.7 miles. Total AT mileage: 1017.2 miles

I set my alarm for 6, turned it off when it vibrated, reset it for 6:15.. and then got ready in a rush. I was packed completely, shoes on, and dropping my pack behind a tree at 6:43am. I delightfully made my way across Tim’s bridges to get to his hunting camp for breakfast. It felt like Christmas morning for some reason, I was excited for this pancake breakfast!

There were 7 of us there in his dining room. We sipped coffee and watched the hummingbirds. At exactly 7am, Tim started bringing out our plates. We each had 12 patriotic pancakes (they were thin, but mighty lol), which had raspberries, blueberries, and apples in them! WOW. They were topped with powdered sugar. And while I’m normally a dipper only, I poured that fresh maple syrup right on top! Tim also brought out little plates of scrambled eggs and sausage links. I don’t know why I keep accepting the sausage links, I don’t like them.. but I keep trying to. Haha

We all devoured our food. All but one completely cleaned their plates.. minus my 2 sausage links I gave to FireWalker. It’s like each town’s breakfast keeps getting better and better. And with it being my favorite meal in normal life and grossly overlooked on hiking days, I’m really loving these great mornings of even better breakfasts.

We all paid and thanked Tim for an incredible spread of food and then started making our way to the trail. I was the only one that left their pack at the junction, so everyone else was ahead by the time I got my pack on.. which was perfect. The canoe river crossing was roughly 3 miles ahead, and the guy wouldn’t be there until 9.. it was only 8 now, and I knew there would be a line. Of all the people that ate breakfast at Tim’s place, there was more that didn’t, all of which were probably already ahead of us.

The trail was beautiful.. mossy rocks and pine needle forest floor. Some mild ups and downs over roots and the like, but nothing to break a real sweat going at my leisurely pace. Off to the right for just about the entire 3 miles (if not actually all of it) was the creek that passed in from of Tim’s house. I saw waterfalls and little cascades the entire way. It was beautiful.

When I got to the river crossing, there was at least 14 people ahead of me.. apparently Mr. Canoe man was late getting there and people were annoyed because now at a whole 9:28am, he had only shuttled across once. Oh well. It was a gorgeous, sunny morning. I took my pack off and sat in line with everyone else. The man could take 2 people at a time across to the other side. The one up front had to help him paddle the current to get across.

After 15-25 minutes of hanging out and chatting with folks, one of them told me I should go across with FireWalker since he was next and everyone else was in a pair. Haha-for once being solo helped me out! I got to skip 4 pairs of hikers! And the icing on the cake: FireWalker wanted to be upfront to paddle! Lol I just got to sit in the middle and enjoy the ride 🙂 I zipped my phone up though, because that canoe was wobbly and I didn’t trust it (and these men) to not roll us into the river. Ha

On the other side, I met the man’s golden retriever and probably crouched and petted it longer than a normal human. Goodness I love dogs. I miss Molly and Max. I’m ready to lay on the floor and just get pummeled with kisses and snuggles. Soon enough, pups. Soon enough.
I decided since I had service that I would call the Sterling Inn for a pick up at the trailhead. I just needed to resupply, BUT I told myself *if* they had a private room under $100, I’d stay. Because why not? Plus I really needed to charge my battery bank. I didn’t want mom flying to see me and my phone be dead if she was having any trouble. Lol

When I called, I’ll be: he had one king bed left.. “it’s expensive though..” I just knew he was going to say something outrageous.. “$80 a night.” SOLD! He came and got me and another couple. When the van door opened, non other than Lilo and Sweeps were inside!! We had a mini reunion, and I learned that Lilo tweaked something in her back and they were flying home today with plans to come back on trail to finish just after Labor Day. I felt so awful for her and their situation, but I was happy to see familiar faces.

I checked in to my gorgeous room, went to shower and packed up my dirty clothes to be washed.. and on my way downstairs to wait for the washer, I ran into TIEDYE!! I all but tackled the man I was so happy to see him! I started my laundry and all of us and some other folks sat on the porch talking for a while.

Close to 2pm, TieDye and I got a shuttle to a restaurant in town. It was like a huge resort type place, restaurant, lake, pool, jacuzzi, game room.. the works. We had a couple beers and I had an excellent BBQ pulled pork sandwich, with homemade blueberry BBQ sauce. Sounds strange, but it was delicious! We stayed a couple hours, enjoying the patio and the sun, talking and catching each other up on our lives since we last saw one another.

When we could sit there no longer, we got a ride back to the hotel. I was slap stuffed! I sat on the porch awhile and then laid out in my big bed. I watched some Hulu shows and finally fell asleep. With such a huge late lunch, I didn’t need dinner!

It was such an amazing day, and I’d have missed it if I had hiked on. God knows what our souls need, the rejuvenation, the company of others we’ve missed. I’m so very grateful I stayed and got reconnected to TieDye. We plan to hike into Monson together. His wife comes the day after my mom! I think it’s perfect. And I’m so very happy.

Start: The Sterling Inn (AT mi 2041.9). Stop: Bald Mountain Brook Lean-To (AT mi 2056.6). Today’s miles: 14.7 miles. Total AT mileage: 1031.9 miles

I got up just after 7am, used the bathroom, changed my clothes and headed down to breakfast. It was basically a continental breakfast, so I had 2 toasted bagels with cream cheese, a banana, coffee, and juice. It was no patriotic pancakes, but it served its purpose fine. I ate with TieDye and a SOBO hiker who’s name I forget now. TieDye was already packed and ready, so he’d head out before me today, but we were aiming for the same camp.

I didn’t end up leaving until a little after 9.. I packed relatively quickly, but then laid back in the bed and got yesterday’s blog post uploaded. When you know you have service, you take advantage! When I was finally ready, I took all my stuff down to the porch and then settled my bill for my resupply and my private room stay. I was quite content with the way yesterday panned out, so it was money well spent indeed.

I hit the trail with two other hikers, from Canton, GA. TweetyBird and her husband-I want to say Starburst but I don’t want to ask again and be a jerk lol. We crossed each other a couple times throughout the day. Mostly I hiked alone, listening to another new audiobook, “The Last Thing He Told Me.” Lauren recommended it and I was so excited when it became available yesterday on my free library app. I think I’m going to finish it tonight, actually.

The trail was seriously easy today. Like the climbs up Pleasant Pond Mountain and Middle Mountain didn’t even register as slightly difficult. It was padded, pine straw and dirt path, dotted with easily avoidable roots and rocks. I’m sure this luck will run out, soon, but honestly it’s been phenomenal to be able to actually hike again. There may not have been any super exciting views, but I still loved every second of it. Plus it never got too hot, my bandana never got soaked from wiping my face.. it was beyond happy hiking, for sure.

I ate lunch on a log just below the first summit, and then on the way down I shared the trail with a snake, a bit longer than I wanted to. I even got a video of the little creeper. A few hours later, before I was expecting it, my planned shelter popped up. I was shocked! The next one was 4 miles away, but over another peak, and as good as I felt, I didn’t want to push my luck by hiking on.. plus, there’s no reward to getting to Monson early, except to have to pay money to spend the night there.. lol

So, I dropped my pack at the sign to go to the shelter. There were two mostly flat tent sites right there where I was standing, but I wanted to make sure there wasn’t anything better closer to the shelter, and I wanted to make sure TieDye was there since I never caught up to him today.

I took the blue blazed trail the quarter mile to the shelter, passing huge boulders that reminded me of Chia-pets.. mossy and leafy “hair” growing out the top lol.. the shelter wasn’t very inviting, so I knew I wanted to tent (I’ve pretty much preferred my tent to the shelters ever since I got David’s.. which is enough to tell me this tent is the right choice). I chatted with TieDye a minute, he was setting up there in the last decent spot, so I was happy to go back and set up where I left my pack.

We’re aiming for the same place tomorrow, maybe a stealth site closer to Monson so we have an easier day getting into Monson the following day. I’m going to try to be packed and ready by the time he comes down the side trail, maybe we’ll attempt to hike together some tomorrow. Normally that stresses me out, but something tells me TieDye won’t have that affect on me.

I sat up my tent in the flatter of the two spots, and just after I finished unpacking everything and changing my clothes, TweetyBird and Starburst appeared. I had passed them when they were eating lunch earlier. They set up next to me in the other spot. It’s perfect down here, we’re right next to a creek with good water.

We ate dinner and hung our food bags. I was going to sleep with mine, but now I’m glad I didn’t because I can hear these squirrels and chipmunks going ateshit nearby. Squeaking and chasing each other, plus dropping stuff off trees.. random thumps to the ground. I’ve looked out of the tent a few times to verify it’s not our ropes they’re chewing and our food plummeting to the ground.

I don’t have service here, so I really hope I get service sometime tomorrow and keep it, since mom will be checking in for her flight and might have last minute questions. I called the hostel in Monson to see if they had a private room for us, but no such luck. I think we’ll probably just eat a meal in town then head elsewhere for the night.

Anyway, that’s all I have for now. I’m going to listen to my audiobook with both headphones, and then get some shut eye 🙂 goodnight y’all!

Start:Bald Mountain Brook Lean-To (AT mi 2056.6). Stop: Stealth Site (AT mi 2069.3). Today’s miles: 12.7 miles. Total AT mileage: 1044.6 miles

I got up just after 7:15 and TweetyBird and Starburst were still snoozing. I felt bad making the racket packing up causes, but it had to be done. I changed, packed, ate breakfast and then got on trail at exactly 8am. I was going to go up the side trail to see if TieDye was up, but because of all the noise I had already made I felt guilty. Plus, I’m slow on uphills, and first thing this morning was a climb to Moxie Bald Mountain. I hatched a plan then to get to the top, and if he hadn’t passed me before then, to hangout up top in the sunshine until he came along.

The climb was a kind one, gently sloping upwards.. it had chunks of steep climbing, but they were all short lived and it was easy to catch your breath again. When I got to the top, it was a little after 9am. The sun was shining, the views were nice with lakes off into the distance. I was hoping for enough service to post yesterday’s blog, but that didn’t happen. I took my pack off on a big rock slab just north of the summit marker.

I walked around and ate blueberries, there were fat, juicy ones everywhere. I stretched some, and then laid down and closed my eyes for a bit. I never fully fell asleep, but I was loving every second of feeling the sun on my skin and the breeze blowing past my face. It felt beyond refreshing to not feel like I needed to rush off the top to make it somewhere else. I could just lay there and enjoy the moment I was in.

While up there, I heard several men’s voices chatting each other up. I’d peek an eye open and just make sure it wasn’t TieDye. The last time this happened, it was him! He was talking with another hiker, 3rd degree, so I popped up and headed in their direction by the summit sign. We all chatted a few, ate more blueberries, and then TieDye and I headed down off the mountain.

The downhill was the same as the up-gently sloping down with chunks of knee screaming large drops.. which were also short lived. It worked out well. Once the mountain itself was over.. it was mostly level ground for the rest of the day. Just after 1130, TieDye stopped for a snack and said he’d catch up to me. I carried on.. only to spot A MOOSE!

I caught a female moose on video!! ON TRAIL! During the middle of the day!! Usually people spot them at dawn or dusk by ponds, or by the road.. hardly ever during the middle of the day, far from water!! I recorded her for over 3 minutes.. at first she didn’t notice me, she was just walking along and I froze when I heard the weight of steps crunching branches and brush. Then, you can see on the video the moment she notices me.. she sticks her nose up and sniffs, then turns her head toward me.

We both freeze now. I don’t want to disturb her or scare her. I hoped she’d trot across the trail but she slowly turns away, slowly walks back, and when I put my phone down-she tore off running the way she had come. It was PHENOMENAL! I was so excited, I told every person I saw for like 4 hours! Lol TieDye came up shortly after and was sad he missed the moose of course, but happy I caught it on video.

We crossed a stream and ate lunch and relaxed with a few other hikers doing the same. One man is finishing up his last section of his AT this year and he’s been at section hiking this thing since 1973. Talk about commitment! I showed them the moose, and then anyone with eyes as well.. haha

After lunch we started off together again. We were chatting about any and everything: wildlife, hostels, veteran outreach programs, volunteer programs, the show “Naked and Afraid.” And then.. we spot the bare end of a black bear!! We rounded the corner with the creek off to our left, just a chattering away, when the bear noticed us and full on high tailed it to the woods on the other side of the creek! It was smaller than the female moose, but still a big animal. It happened so fast and there was no way to get a picture, but I kind of think it was a younger bear as it didn’t look as large as I’d think a full grown bear would be.

So then, that turned into me telling anyone passing with ears that I saw a moose AND a bear today. What a wonderful day!! The rest of the trail followed along a creek to the right, and for an elevation profile that looked flat, it did a lot of rolling. Ups and downs, ups and downs, but it felt like a real hiking trail-not a jungle gym of obstacle courses. So even with the ups and downs, I was happy.

I was hiking along ahead of TieDye who decided to listen to his audiobook for a while, when I came across a perfect tent site for 2 on the left. When I looked at the creek to see if getting water from here would be easy, I spotted a huge swimming hole! The creek cascaded into a pool of deep, deep rocks, and then became shallow again just down a little ways. And, the best part: there was an easy access point to get to it all!

I pulled up the app on my phone and realized we were only 0.3 miles from the shelter, and the recent comments mentioned water from the stream by the shelter was dry, AND the shelter looked to be uphill on the profile. I took my pack off to claim the space behind me (just in case someone else got ahead of TieDye and wanted to camp here), and sat down to wait for him.

I decided I’d let him decide. My feet were achy, but if he wanted to push on to the shelter or even to the river crossing a couple more miles down, I’d be game. It was only 3:30 now anyway. BUT, if he mentioned he’d like to stay and swim, I’d be perfectly happy with that option! Which, shortly there after when he arrived and looked around, is exactly what happened!

We rested a bit first, laying back in the flat space we’d set our tents up in. We were going to go swim and come back to set up, but when other hikers passed and mentioned how great the spot was, I wanted to make it clear to anyone else passing while we were swimming that this spot was spoken for. So, I laid out my ground cloth and we spread our stuff out a bit before heading down to get water to filter and to swim.

The water was warm on top and ice cold below! I took my time getting in, not because of the cold, but because of the slick rocks on bare feet. I didn’t want to get cut or anything. TieDye beat me in, and then Starburst appeared. He put his poles out for TweetyBird to see when she caught up, and then he got in too! We all three swam and soaked a while. My feet enjoyed the icy cold of the bottom even though it was making the rest of me cold too. It just helps take the ache away.

We were getting out when TweetyBird appeared. She was only going to put her feet in, so I didn’t feel bad for not staying in any longer. I wanted to start drying out some before it was time to eat dinner.. lol. They ended up putting their tent up right by the water! It just barely fits on the little flat space between the rock ledges, but they made it work! It’s a pretty sweet spot, for sure.

We came up and set up our tents, got in dry clothes, unpacked, filtered water.. all the camp chores. Then we had our dinner, along with great conversation, which I always seem to enjoy with TieDye. It’s now just after 8pm and I’m sleepy. I’ve got one side of the tent vestibules open, and I’m going to see how I like that tonight. It makes me nervous, because I don’t feel “secure” with the fabric not blocking the mesh material.. like anyone could just stare in at me-but either way, I want some airflow so I’m leaving it open. Haha.

We have just a bit over 9 miles tomorrow to knock out before getting into Monson. The plan is to get there by 12, get a shower and do some laundry at the hostel, and be done by the time mom gets there! That way I’ll be clean and we won’t have to worry with laundry on our trip together. I feel awful that I don’t have service tonight, and probably won’t in the morning either.. at least for a few hours until I get closer to town. Her flight leaves very early, and I want to be able to check on her and whatnot.. make sure she’s good and everything is going well.

Hopefully I’ll have service by the time her flight lands! That’s the prayer anyway. I cannot WAIT to see her! We’re about to have some fun and good food 🙂 that’s what I plan to go to sleep tonight thinking about. The best company and good food coming our way lol.. Goodnight y’all