September 1

This is the day Jenna officially became a part of our family. Happy Anniversary to Brenton and Jenna. We think of you often and miss you so much. I know you will have awesome plans to celebrate. Enjoy! You are a fantastic couple.

Happy Anniversary to Doug and September too!!!

It rained all night last night. This morning was sunny and warm. The Arm that we had heard so much about was not a problem. That ended the Whites.

We came the beautiful Speck Pond It is a good swimming lake and sits at the highest elevation of any lake in Maine. It was early and cool so we enjoyed it without swimming.

We climbed Speck Mountain and Bald Pâté Mountain East and West Peak Here in Maine we go straight up and straight down. We started at 6:30 aM and hiked into the dark arriving at camp at 8:30 PM. We may have taken 3 hours total break time including lunch and dinner. 10 hours of hiking and only 13 miles completed. This use to be a 18-20 mile day. These are hard miles but the reward is so sweet with incredible mountain tops.

We are having to change our expectations as to what we can hike each day. There are other hikers feeling frustrated by their limitations as well. We just met Tarzan and Jane. They are collegiate runners just about 30 years old. They planned a 17 mile day and ended up in the same place as us with 13. It is difficult to plan because we really have no idea where we will end up. Last night we would have taken any open spot for our tent rather than walk in the dark. There were none to be found.

Funny how after five months of hiking, we still have so many surprises out here, so much to learn. Like life, the older we get the more we know we don't know much. The game is adjust and be flexible. we shall see what tomorrow will bring.