Date: Fri, 1 Sep 2000
Subject: AT Update 9/1

Yes, it's me again.

I'm in the town of Caratunk, Maine that has a wonderful Hiker hostel, a Post Office, a trailer that does take-out, and not much else.

I arrived here after crossing the wide and unpredictable Kennebec river, which I did the easy way by riding across in a canoe.  This morning I enjoyed the 12-pancake breakfast at Harrison's Pierce Pond camps, and last night I watched the sunset, saw the stars come out, and fell asleep alone in the Pierce Pond lean-to to the sounds of Loons calling.

The day before I stayed at West Carry Pond.  The maintainer for that section of trail, Dana, is someone I know from the hiking club I belong to in Portland, MOAC (Maine Outdoor Adventure Club).  I wanted to spend a night at "his" shelter as sort of a tribute to his efforts.  He is a former AT Thru-hiker and was an inspiration for me to attempt this trip.

The day before that I had a glorious bunch of views while traversing the peaks of the Bigelow range.  When I think of all the Southbounders who have told me they crossed through there in rain and fog and couldn't even see Flagstaff Lake, I feel very lucky that I was treated to such a nice day.

Talking to my fellow Northbounders, I find that we all are having mixed emotions about nearing the end of the Trail.  Some seem to be charging ahead, anxious to finish (much the way I felt as I approached Springer).  Others seem to be slowing down and lingering, sad to see the trip coming to an end.  Most agree that Maine is incredibly beautiful, and is now their favorite part of the trail.

I'm not sure where I fall in that spectrum.  I have about 150 miles, or perhaps 2 weeks left to go before I reach Katahdin.  My mind keeps jumping from the matters immediately at hand, to what I will do when I finally get home.  I hope in some sense that the hike will never end, and that I'll continue to approach each day as a challenge and an adventure.