For the last few days I had been looking forward to the hike today. We have been hiking over too many big ups and downs lately. I wanted to hike something a bit flatter. At this point I'd gladly give up great views for some flat trail. The map profile indicated that today was just what the doctor ordered.

Once we got past the climb out of Bemis Stream the trail was great. For the most part we traveled along good trails between a series of ponds. We stopped at Sabbath Day Pond long enough for a snack and to leave Easy 8 a birthday message in the register. Our next stop was at Little Swift River Pond Campsite. It was a great campsite located on this beautiful little pond. There were even a couple of boats that hikers could take out on the lake. Brandon persuaded Virginia Creeper to go for a canoe ride.

An ice cold boxed spring next to the lake provided the sweetest water we've had for awhile. I lay in the sun by the shore of the lake drinking cold Kool-Aid wishing I could spend the rest of the day there. It was only five miles to the road and a short hitch to meet up with Linda. An hour lying around did a lot to restore my sagging spirit. When I couldn't take it any longer we shouldered our packs and headed for the road.

The last five miles went by damn quick. We hiked most of the way with Virginia Creeper. Since his pace was generally faster than mine, I had to push it somewhat. I was glad to see the trailhead and see a note from Linda. I knew that she had successfully made it to town.

After waiting a while, Brandon and I were able to secure a hitch to the Farmhouse Inn B&B. We had almost driven by it before I spotted it on the highway. I was surprised to see we were still a ways out of town. That could cause transportation problems. Unfortunately everything else in town was booked up. I wouldn't give the place a good recommendation. At $20 per person it's one of the more expensive places along the trail. Plus that doesn't include breakfast. Although we didn't have breakfast there, I understand that the quantities are somewhat meager, and certainly not to the needs of thru-hikers. The inn is located over a mile from town and does not provide a shuttle. This leaves you with the option of a long hike or another hitch. From what I can see, Rangeley is need of a good hiker hostel.

Shortly after we arrived at the Inn it became apparent that Linda's hike was over. Her knees were shot. Just walking around on flat ground is quite painful and she's taking mega doses of painkillers. It may be possible that a couple weeks of rest would allow her to complete the trail. However, we only have that much time left. There no guarantees that she would still be able to hike. There is still lots of rough terrain ahead. I also don't want her to further damage her knees. At this point her only option is to go home. It's certainly not an easy decision to make.

After showers, the three of us headed into town. I'd promised Easy 8 a pizza dinner at the Red Onion for his birthday. I knew they were in town because they passed us as we sat on the porch at the Inn discussing Linda's condition. Once we found everyone, we assembled at Mike's Sports Bar. We got a couple of drinks before heading for pizza. At dinner we had Easy 8, Cowboy, Virginia Creeper, Lone Wolf, Linda, Brandon and myself. Between the seven of us we polished off five large pizzas, a plate of spaghetti, and a bunch of salads. The waitress looked at as if we were crazy. But hey, on the trail, you can't eat too much.

Today we got up ate then started hiking. The first climb was supposed to be the easiest climb of the day. The rest of the day the terrain was flat. I was looking forward to some fast hiking in flat ground. We hiked and hiked until we got to Sabbath Day Pond where we had a snack then left Shadow, who was about take a dip in the pond. After hiking for a while longer we stopped for lunch at Little Swift River Pond Campsite. We sat on the bank of the pond and ate lunch and drank the clear and cold water from the spring. Soon Easy, Cowboy, Shadow, and Creeper showed up. I went out on the pond with Creeper in the canoe that was sitting on the bank of the pond. Soon we took of with Creeper and hiked at his pace for the next 5 miles until we reached the road into Rangeley. We got an easy hitch and then checked in at the B&B we are saying at. Mom is here and she told us that she would have to end her trip. Her knees hurt too much. Later we hitch hiked into town and met up with the guys and sat around Mikes Sports Bar for a while. We went over to The Red Onion where we ate five pizzas between Creeper, Cowboy, Easy 8, my parents and me. Lone Wolf was there but he had spaghetti. We sat in the restaurant for a while then my parents and I got a hitch back to the hotel and went to bed.

Today Bruce is shuttling me to Rangeley to rejoin Ronald and Brandon.  I'm going to miss Hiker's Paradise.  I was beginning to feel like family.  Bruno, Mary Ann, Adam, and Bruce have been wonderful company and comfort. If circumstances were different, I might have been able to really enjoy being here.  I joined the hikers in the restaurant for breakfast one last time before packing to leave.  Took several pictures and brought the flowers mom sent me downstairs for everyone to enjoy while they last.

The drive to Rangeley was beautiful.  It's a very different perspective from a car.  From a distance, the mountains look very grand and aloof, but not nearly as menacing as from the trail.  Bruce grew up in New England, so is wealth of knowledge when it comes to local history and points of interest along the way.  We stopped several times for him to point out various wildlife or spectacular views.   It almost made me forget about the decision I would have to make in Rangeley.

When we first got to town, Bruce drove by the place that used to be Viola's Guest House.  That's where we stayed in '77.  He knew Viola, and said she was as much of a spitfire as I remembered.  She ran the guest house for many years, but died a few years ago.  The house is still occupied, but has fallen into disrepair.  It doesn't look anything like the quaint B&B is once was.  That's sad, but I guess things can't last forever.  It was still early when we arrived at the Farmhouse Inn, so Bruce suggested we drive out to the trailhead in case Ronald and Brandon happened to be there early.  They weren't there yet, but I left them a note tacked to a tree at the trailhead confirming where I was.  Back at the inn, Bruce said to call him if I needed a shuttle to Bangor.  I'm grateful he's willing to make that long trip, but I hope I don't need to call him.

I settled into a huge Adirondack chair on the front porch to read, and before long Ronald and Brandon pulled up in the back of a pick-up.  They were tired and filthy, but they'd had a good week of hiking.  After they had a chance to clean up, we talked about what to do next.  My dream of a miraculous recovery is just that - a dream.   The reality is, I couldn't possibly go on and keep up with schedule we have to keep to make it to Katahdin by the 25th.  If we didn't already have plane tickets or have to be home in time for school to start, we could probably slow down, but we do, and that won't change.  For better or worse, my journey ends here in Rangeley.  So, I'll just enjoy my time here and be grateful that I made it this far, and that my injuries aren't more serious.  Actually, this should be a good thing for Ronald and Brandon to have some "male bonding" time.  After the first few hours, they probably won't even miss me.  Cowboy, Creeper, Easy8 and the rest of the guys should be more than able to provide any company they'll need for the next two weeks.

Ronald was not very happy about being a mile from town.  I thought we'd be able to get a ride from the owners, but they don't provide transportation.  They're catering more to tourists who have cars. That immediately soured him on the whole place, even though it's a beautiful old house.  Normally a mile walk wouldn't be a big deal, but in my current condition, it might as well have been 10 miles.  I tried to find another place in town, but everything was totally booked, so we'd have to make the best of it.

We got a ride into town, started the laundry, and rounded up the rest of the guys for a beer before heading to the Red Onion for Easy's birthday dinner.  The place hasn't changed in the 20 years since we were last here.  Bruce told me he thinks it's even owned by the same people.  We spent the evening consuming many pizzas and pitchers of beer (Cokes only for Brandon, of course) before saying goodnight and catching a ride back to the Farmhouse.