September 10

Ahhhhhhh.....the Steep elevations have subsided for now. We walked 16 miles by 5PM. There were rocks, roots and mud but pretty flat. Our knees are relieved

We had an interesting obstacle in our first mile. We came to a river that was too deep to ford. It had some logs floating in the water with two bog boards going about 10 feet across the river. EZ went first, as he does when the situation makes me nervous. He did fine across the logs but as he stepped on the big boards, they sank and his boot went under water. We backed him out and evaluated our options. There was no way to cross up or down stream that we could see. We put on our water shoes and tried again. The boards sunk to over our ankles and we had to inch our way across these wobbly boards. We both made it. We took a picture of Sparky going across after us.

The other day we came to a two by four connected to two boulders that crossed about 10 feet above the water. The scary thing was the board was very flexible. Hard to believe some of the obstacles out here.

I loved our hike today. The air is cold and crisp. We walked alongside several lakes with the water tossing from the wind. Pine trees surrounding us. It felt like Michigan. Tonight we are right on Pierce Pond It is cold and the wind is howling. We are all snug in our sleeping bags. EZ is trying to overcome the chill he got from waiting too long to put warm layers on. He will be warn soon.

Tomorrow we are going to a gentleman's home for 12 blueberry and strawberry pancakes, two eggs and sausage. He loves to cook for the hikers and is a quarter mike off trail. Then we head into Caratunk. Our plan is to sneak in and out. Some of our hiking friends are staying in town at the brewery with a hot tub. Temptation. We only have three more towns before we finish. Well see how it goes.

Sadly a hiker died here in the beginning of the season when his muscles cramped up as he was swimming. Heart breaking. His picture and story are here in the shelter.