A Day Off, Old Blue, and Into Rangeley

Stats: Monday night 8/15, MM 1968.7

(36.5 new miles, 1977.5 total miles)

 

Only 220.4 miles to go!

I decided to go, knowing I'd have a day off the next day (continued from Sunday's blog, read here if you missed it.) It was a good decision because Saturday's rain was much worse than Friday's. Sorry for the blurry pictures this time, I'm having a hard time with condensation and keeping the lens clear.

After a great breakfast Friday, The Cabin owners dropped us off at the trail at the next stopping point so we could hike backwards. That's what they often do when you're returning to the same place. I had lightened my load, didn't need the tent and stove, and hoped to cover the 10 miles before it started raining.

Didn't quite make it. It started to drizzle about half way through, then poured for the last 2 miles, we got soaked. Glad it didn't rain earlier, the first 4 miles were a steep up and down, followed by another steep uphill climb before it leveled off a bit. It was still hot and humid, so I was soaked from that and from the rain. 

Saturday it rained almost all day, I was glad to be dry and to have a day of rest. It cooled off too, temps back down to the 70's during the day. I enjoyed a nap, and some good meals with the others who were staying there. I learned that stuffing newspaper in my wet boots helps dry them off so I did that too.

When I'm off the trail and resupply, that involves taking almost everything out of my pack, spreading it out to dry (usually), throwing away trash (we have to pack it out), organizing my food, and charging my phone, Nook, and portable charger. Once everything is dry, I repack it all in. I've gotten it down to a routine, takes about an hour.

Sunday it was supposed to rain, I prayed it would hold off, it didn't rain all day. I hiked up and over Old Blue Mountain, one of the last remaining steep 1,000-foot plus climbs - I think I have about half dozen more to go before a flatter trail section leading up to Mt. Katahdin. I also hiked over Beamis Mountain, very nice views even though a bit cloudy

Hiked 12 miles to a campsite near a dirt road. Trail Magic was there waiting! Turtle Tracks, a guy who previously thru-hiked the AT, had hamburgers, hot dogs, and Cokes. Very nice surprise.




Sabbath Day Pond lean-to, on the way to Rangeley

Monday the weather was great, sunny and cooler. The trail was also much easier, still rocks and roots but no big peaks. I made it 14 miles to the Hiker Hut right on the trail outside Rangeley, where a package from Mary was waiting. Decided to stay there and head out Tuesday morning. Steve, the owner, took us into Rangeley for dinner and re-supply. Looking forward to the finish line and to being home.

Steve and Catherine, Hiker Hut owners

Update on my knees and foot. The bottom of my foot is not bothering me at all! Huge answer to prayer, and many thanks to the doctor who treated it a few weeks ago. My knees are doing OK at the moment, hurting but not unbearable. 

When I lay down my feet and knees hurt, sometimes most of the night. When I get up in the morning I can hardly walk, then things warm up as I start moving to pack up. Taking a full day off every 5-6 days helps a lot, my body needs the rest.

I know it's by God's grace and prayers that I have gone this far and am able to keep going. I am really blessed, although tired, too, and definitely ready to be home. I know I'm getting closer, but don't quite feel excited yet. I'm saving that for when I reach the finish line, hopefully the week before Labor Day weekend.

Thank you for your support and prayers, please keep them coming.