Day 4 - Thursday, June 16

Linda

I felt much better all day today, and traveled a lot faster, too. We left the lean-to at 7:00 and got to Nahmakanta Lake around 9:30. It was too cold to go for a swim, but we washed clothes and hair and knocked off one or two layers of crud from our bodies. I never imagined there would be this many gorgeous lakes (and ponds) in Maine. Really makes a nice break. The next 4.6 miles were on a gravel road which started out pleasant because it was flat, and not a bog, but beat our feet to death before too long. When we turned off into the woods again, the bugs came at us in swarms. They were relentless the rest of the day.

Came to Podywadjo Lean-to around 2:30 and caught up with Allen and Danny Fischer and Connie Landry. They had left a walking stick it at Katahdin Stream Campground and I'd been carrying it since then to give it back to them. They said they didn't need it, so I'll keep it to use myself. I'm sure it will come in handy with bog and stream crossings. They are moving pretty slowly now, so we may not see them again. Hope they keep going and don't get discouraged. Had a nice chat, though. Walked on the 3.3 miles to Old Antlers Camp on Lower Mary Jo Lake. It must have been quite an operation in its day, with several big buildings and cabins right on the lake. Steve and John are here tonight, and we also met Ray Wuolo, a teenager from Waukegon, Illinois who plans to hike the AT through to New York. He is loaded down with all manner of Boy Scout equipment, and seems be intrigued by the persona of the quintessential mountain man. He's very reserved, or more likely just worn out from the day's hike, but it took a lot to draw him into the conversation. We sat around a smudge fire chatting and trying to fight off the mosquitoes. They were about to eat us alive.

Ron

Good hiking today because of a four and a half mile road walk. The road was dull and hard on the feet but it lacked mud holes. Linda seems to be doing much better. Physically we are doing better. Bugs are bad, but tolerable. Camped tonight at site of old Antlers Camps. Beautiful at one time but very run down now. We passed a group today that had a two day lead. We must be doing great. We also saw a couple of snakes.

(15.8 Miles - 49.4 Total)