Day 11 - Thursday, June 23

Linda

Today we came a total of 15.8 miles today. Started out around 8:00 and got to the first lean-to around 11:30 for lunch. I needed to dry out some, since I had just wiped out in a stream before Bald Pond. Headed up the mountain after lunch. It wasn't too bad. At the top of the trail there was a cabin where the watchman from the fire tower on top must have stayed. The short side trail to the tower was beautiful with wildflowers lining both sides of the trail. I was so inspired after days of muck and rain that I had to stop and take pictures. I hope some of them do the area justice. The weather was gorgeous, and the sun felt sumptuous after so much rain. We were tempted to stay there, but knew we had to push on.

Walked down the mountain to Joe's Hold Lean-to, and had a snack there, before burning down to Baker's Stream Outlet at Joe's Hole. There's a ford on the stream which is well known by hikers and the locals, and consists merely of two guy wires. In theory, you hold onto the top wire and slide across the bottom one. Actually, it wasn't as scary as it looked. Ronald went first, and by the time I got there, a crowd of fishermen had gathered to watch my crossing. Some of them seemed surprised, and maybe even a little disappointed, when I didn't slip and dive feet first into the water. Actually, I'd much rather do that again than walk across a wet, mossy log. Afterward, we talked to some people who have a camp up there and have crossed it many times, even with their dog.

Walked down a gravel road for a couple miles, then off up the trail to a stream where we camped for the night. We met a man who called himself Old Man Ricker, and he told us he was the one who ferry's hikers across the Kennebec River in his boat. He said to call him whenever we got to Caratunk tomorrow. That was a relief. The Kennebec isn't just some little mountain stream. It's a full-scale rushing river. Even though we haven't seen it yet, we've read enough to have a healthy respect for this river. Some hikers have successfully forded the waist high waters by holding their packs over their heads, but that was much later in the summer when the water level was down. This early in the season the water is much deeper and very swift, so it would be foolhardy to try to cross on foot. We spent a quiet evening writing post cards before retiring for the night. Caratunk was one of our mail stops, so we planned to spend a little time there with the mail and picking up some needed supplies.

Ron

Today was a good mileage day. The perfect weather was the main factor. After six days of rain it felt good to have a full day of sunshine. There were few bogs and the trails weren't too steep. We climbed Moxie Bald for a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains. Tonight we are camped about a half mile from the road by Moxie Pond.

To get here we had to cross a two wire bridge strung across Bakers stream at the end of Moxie Pond. Crossing the bridge involved holding the top wire while sliding our feet across the lower wire. It was a bit unnerving but we make it fine. I went first and by the time Linda crossed, she had an audience. By chance, we met Mr. Ricker on the road by Moxie Pond. He will be taking us across the Kennebec River tomorrow. We arranged to meet him in Caratunk tomorrow.

Physically my feet and jaw are still sore (I had all of my wisdom teeth pulled three weeks before we started the trail). Linda took a spill in a creek today and gave me a scare, but she wasn't hurt. It was interesting to note that some of the bogs and streams we crossed today have been bridged. I just wish they would do it more often.

(15.8 Miles - 141.1 Total)