100 mile Wilderness

Good morning everyone! I'm going to make several posts as if I would've been making them as I went along. Unfortunately, I have not had access to a computer until now. The 100 mile wilderness was absolutely amazing! I had a wonderful time, and my knee did not bother me a bit other than the noise it made. The first day was great, and I don't think I mentioned that I was able to restock nearly all of my food from the hiker boxes in Monson at each hostel! I am just going to copy my journal entry from the day.

"Today was a delightful day which began with Shaw's breakfast. I packed up and hung my tarp to dry in the morning sun, and joined the waking crowd in the hiker room for some coffee. Ed showed up late last night, section hiker from Boston. I really enjoy his company. Sondance is the only other thru here for breakfast, but there are many others who are sectioning or sightseeing. It is a fun crowd, and breakfast was delicious! They served us. It was a fine spread of OJ, Eggs any way you want them, home fries, cheese grits!, bacon, sausage, and blueberry pancakes. I had 4 of Everything, and can honestly say that I wasn't hungry in the slightest until 3PM today.
Packing up the last bit of food, I said my goodbyes. I was so glad to have made a note of the food in the refrigerator, otherwise I would've surely forgot it. Dawn, the hostel owner, took me to the trailhead where I got a picture taken for my by the guy who runs the Appalachian Trail Lodge in Millonoket, Paul. He was dropping off a shuttle of people. It was cool to meet him ahead of time, and also because the hikers at Shaws had talked about him earlier.
So, I set out on the trail on this bright sunny day at a diliberately slow pace of preservation, not wanting to give my knee anymore reason to fail. People don't usually pass me, however due to my slowed pace one of the sightseers from the lodge came upon me shortely after I departed. We hiked together. He was great for company, but I never caught his name before he peeled off 7m into it; that was all he had planned to do.
The 100 mile wilderness has been spectacular so far! I love Maine! The trailwork is impressive, and the views are great. I hiked on several ledges today, past a great waterfall, and skirted several ponds. The tempature is amazing as well, a cool mid 70s with a breeze! On top of Barren Mt. the view was great! I wasn't quite sure which peak was Whitecap, but I'll find out soon enough. I was able to easily pick out the Bigelow Range, as Avery peak is very recognizable. After Barren, Cloud Pond Lean-to was only 1m down, and 0.4m off on a side trail. Emerging from the woods, I caught my first glimpse of the pond around 5:45P. The sun was shining bright across the water, almost to a blinding effect. It was immaculate, and I could hardly wait to take a dip.
I am the only one here tonight. I always hope for company, but am content without it as well. The swim was great! Very refreshing, and I could hear, but not see, a moose across the water. I ended the night with 'celebration dinner' and reading. The mice are too friendly, so I've set up the mosquito net. Today was indeed a perfect day! Love Maine!"

So, long post but I figured that gives a good description of everything that happened on my first day. The rest was full of interesting things. I hit trail magic in the middle of the wilderness on the second day! I grabbed three sodas, trail bars, and a homemade whoopie pie. I also saw three moose on my last day!! The trailwork was increadible, and I really love Maine. I completed the 100 mile wilderness in 4 days (19m, 24m, 33m, and 23m). At the Abol Bridge, entrance to Baxter State Park and end of the wilderness, I ate a bunch, and hung out with this really nice couple from the Maine coast. Anyway, this is long enough. I'll post about the climb up to the terminus soon. Thanks for following!!

The Kid