Day 12 - Friday, June 24

Linda

Couldn't get moving very fast this morning. Were just about to leave at 7:45 when Ray came by. They had camped about a half mile back. Steve and John came up a few minutes later. Mike had caught up with them in the afternoon and left about 4:30 am to walk to the lean-to. They had also run into Ricker, and he had given them the run-around about taking them across the river. He must really run hot and cold, because he had been very nice to us. We hoofed on up to the top of Pleasant Mt., then straight down about a mile to the lean-to. Took a break and read a National Lampoon and Forum Magazines we found in the lean-to. I read an article on how refined sugar is killing us. That's just great, since we've been eating more sugar lately. I doubt that article will have any major effect on our eating habits while we are on the trail.

Walked the 5 miles to Caratunk on a paved road in an hour and a half, which almost pounded our feet into the ground. About 11:45, Ricker drove up, scolded us, and wanted to know where we had been. Seems he expected us at 8:00 at the lean-to. I don't where he got that from. We never told him we would be anywhere at 8:00. And we still had some things to do once we got into Caratunk. He had already picked up Mike and taken him to town, but we were determined to walk the entire trail, and not start shaving off a mile here and a mile there for convenience's sake. We said we'd walk on in and almost flew the rest of the way. At Mitchell's Store and Post Office, we picked up our package and several letters from friends and family. Mike had been there all morning, just hanging around, waiting. We got a few goodies and repackaged the food before Ricker came around again, complaining about how he'd been waiting since 8:00 this morning and he had other things to do. We tried to hurry, but he was really impatient. Sure wish he'd said this all yesterday. Finally, after I'd called Dad and requested some socks and rain chaps, Ricker came by one more time, and said we either went now or waited until tomorrow. It seemed we had no choice, so we packed up and went.

Steve, John and Ray were about a mile behind us and we hoped they'd get across, but weren't sure. We walked down to the water and despite Ricker's flakiness, we were very glad he was taking us across. The river was swollen with spring runoff, and the swift water was gray and churning. The wind caused waves to slap up against the shore where we stood, waiting. Ricker had already left to take Mike and the packs across, and when he came back get us, he was back to being pleasant again. Is this guy a Jekyl and Hyde or what? He motored us across without incident, and we thanked him, and began the last few miles to Pierce Pond Lean-to, thankful to have that experience behind us.

Pierce Pond is another one of Maine's most beautiful lakes. The lean-to was situated on the shore of the lake in one of the prettiest settings we've seen so far. We had seen an advertisement on a tree for a hunting camp and lodge not far from here, so Ronald and Mike walked over after taking a quick dip. While they were gone, and I was in the water trying to wash off, Ray, Steve and John arrived. It seems they almost had a knock-down, drag-out with Ricker over the crossing. He finally brought them over, but not before words were exchanged. Definitely a Jekyl and Hyde.

Ronald and Mike came back and reported that the lodge, called The Carrying Place, looked very inviting and had an all-you-can-eat breakfast every day. Well, you didn't have to ask any of us twice. We immediately agreed that sounded like a fine way to begin the day tomorrow. We all spent a pleasant evening along the shore of the lake, trying to catch up on diaries, letters, etc. and thinking about the all-you-can-eat breakfast at the lodge in the morning.

Ron

We had a good hike up to the top of Plesant Pond Mountain. The climb down was terrible. After 3.5 hours we made it to the Plesant Pond Lean-to. The lean-to was nice but the creek was ruined by recent logging. We made the five miles into Caratunk in 1.5 hours, and paid for it with pounded feet from the pavement. We picked up our supplies and wrote a few postcards. I was going to call my mother but was unable. Ricker was in a rush, we had to rush our stay at the store in order to cross the Kennebec River.

After crossing the river, we hiked the 3.8 miles to the Pierce Pond Lean-to in short order. The last one and a half miles to the lean-to I felt dizzy - almost drunk. At one point I thought I would collapse. Once I had time to rest I started feeling better. Later Mike and I took a swim in the pond. It allowed me clean off the bog muck from the last couple of days. Later Mike and I went to explore the Carrying Place hunting camp nearby.

Tomorrow morning we are planning to go to Carrying Place lodge to have an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast. With two days of nice weather, the bugs are starting to come out. I still hope the good weather keeps up.

(13.5 Miles - 152.5 Total)