Flip Flop Hikers: Bubbles Days 146-155 (Saturday, August 20

Monson, ME and the 100 miles of Wilderness

When we arrived at the trailhead to get to Monson, Maine we were so excited. We knew we were only 115 miles from Katahdin. Poet, the owner of Shaw’s Lodging picked us from the trailhead and took us to the hostel. We were supposed to have a maildrop waiting for us, but it wasn't there and the post office had already closed for the weekend. We were originally pretty bummed about not being able to get back on trail, but the break ended up being awesome. We spent the day relaxing and hanging out with other hikers.

The next day we ended up carrying a kayak down to the lake and spent the day on the water. We fished and kayaked. When I was out kayaking I saw loons and chased them around the lake for an hour or so. They make really interesting noises and it was really neat to see them dive down and look for food.

On Monday morning we got our food drop and I was overwhelmed. Packing food for three people for ten days isn't easy. Thank goodness Hippie Chick (Poet’s wife) was there to help me. It took her all of about five minutes to figure out what we needed. We put the extra food in the hiker box and it was like a feeding frenzy with the hikers. They took everything we put in, in a matter of seconds. A hiker box is like a take a penny leave a penny. Anyone can put extra gear or food in them and anyone can take the food or gear out of them. You can find them in hostels and businesses up and down the trail.

Before we got on trail the Monkeys (Tumbleweed and Dreaming Sunflower) asked us if we wanted anything from McDonalds. We obviously said, “YES PLEASE!” Tumbleweed is from Maine and her mom came to visit and spend the night at the hostel. She took the girls 40 minutes to the closest McMurder. When they got back we ate some burgers and nuggets and then piled into Poet’s truck with the good ol' boys to head back to the trail. The good ol' boys are from Carlisle, PA. I started calling them the good ol' boys because they like to fish and have fun while hiking and living outdoors. We really like them and want to stay in touch. We were happy to see them throughout the 100 miles of wilderness and on the way down Katahdin because they were a really fun group to be around.

We started off in the 100 miles all together and we were so excited to get on trail. Within the first mile and half we heard that someone had broken their ankle. It was a sad thought to think about an injured hiker. Little did I know it was a hiker I had met a few times on trail and in Monson. When I walked past her she was sobbing and saying sorry. She was surrounded by first responders, firefighters, and medical persons. Smudgy Cheeks helped carry her out so that prohibited us from going any further than three miles for the first day. We got up early the next day and hit the trail.

Leemond Brook Lean-to (3 miles)

Day 2

The second day of the wilderness was wonderful. We hiked past little Wilson Falls. It was a beautiful waterfall. We stopped with The Monkeys and Good Ol' Boys for a nice break. The waterfall is carved from slate. The slate from this area was used to build JFK's grave site in Washington DC. I thought that was very interesting!

The highlight of the day for me was seeing my FIRST BEAR! It was a cub and after the initial excitement ceased (after about 2 seconds) I became extremely aware that I couldn't see or hear the momma bear. I immediately turned around and ran down the trail a little ways where I met The Monkeys. Not only did I run from a bear (which under no circumstances should you do), I also ran back the way I had come from! I was out of breath and scared out of my mind. You do not want to get between a cub and its momma. I told them about it and we all proceeded up the trail hastily together.

I fell in front of The Monkeys and made a weird sound going down. What I love about these girls is that they are so sweet and positive. We laughed about my weird falling noises and went on hiking. We stopped earlier than originally planned because Smudgy Cheeks didn't want to go on. We wanted to stay together as a family through the end of Maine. When we got to the shelter I set up the tent and Robby went to fish in a good looking fishing hole. After about 30 minutes Robby came running down the trail and said he had caught some Brook Trout. I was elated! We were going to be eating trout for dinner. Smudgy Cheeks helped get the fire started and then went to bed. I couldn't believe he didn't want any fish, but we didn't care, more for us! I made some mash potatoes to go with the fish and we really enjoyed the fresh caught trout. We went to bed with full bellies and happy hearts.

Long Pond Stream Lean-to (12.1 miles)

Day 3

On day three we hiked over the Barren Mountain range. It was tougher hiking, but we were ready for it. It was a day completely dedicated to just trying to get miles in. We were supposed to meet at Pleasant River to camp, but Smudgy didn't want to hike anymore and ended up setting up camp at East Chairback pond. I got there after dark and was going to meet Robby down at the river where we thought Jeff was, but I was stopped by a guy named Mike 2.0 or Waterfall when he told me the guys were down at the pond. This guy made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. Jeff had caught him drawing swastikas on trail and that gave me the willies big time. I went down the side trail a lot faster than I should have, but I just wanted to be with my family and away from the stranger. We set up camp in the dark and crawled into the tent exhausted.

Chairback Pond (13.5 miles)

Day 4

We got up super early and hit the trail. When we got to the river we were so happy to see the Good Ol' Boys and The Monkeys. We had to ford the river and then talked about doing a side trail to see a bunch of waterfalls. I am so happy we went too. The waterfalls were beautiful and it made for a great adventure. Smudgy Cheeks decided .6 into our side adventure that he wanted to save his energy for the mountain climbing and turned around to head back to the AT. We tried to talk him into continuing on with us, but he said no :( After the beautiful waterfalls we started the climb up Gulf Hagas Mountain. It was a long gradual incline. We were planning on going another 6 miles, but again smudgy cheeks was ahead of us and stopped short of our original goal and had set up camp. It was frustrating, but I'm happy we ended up camping. The Good Ol' Boys were there and we had a great evening together. They had caught trout and it was fun to see them enjoying their catch.

Sidney Tappen Campsite (9.1 miles)

Day 5

Jeff woke us up at 5:00 in the a.m. to tell us he saw two moose! We were so excited for him. We could hear them. They make weird noises.

Today we tackled White Cap Mountain. It was a tough 3 climbs up West Peak, Hay Mountain, and White Cap Mountain. It was hard hiking but I felt great. We are so close to Katahdin! We were going to stop at Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to but AGAIN Smudgy cheeks stopped early. I was frustrated because we had a schedule to keep. We had reserved a campsite at Katahdin Stream campsite and I was worried we weren't going to make it. We decided to get up early in the morning. There was something big walking around our tent at night. We think it may have been a bear. This is another time I am happy that we religiously hang our food properly.

Stealth Camp (11.1 miles)

Day 6

I got up at 4 in the morning and put on coffee. I was excited to get on trail. We got on trail around 5:30. It was still dark out when we climbed up Little Broadman Mountain. When we got to the top we sat for a few minutes. As soon as I started the descent nature called. I started to trek into the thick trees and realized very quickly that I wouldn't be going the 200 feet off trail to dookie. I instantly started thinking about Inchworm, the woman who got lost in Maine and died in 2014. It was so thick and if I didn't pay close attention I could have easily got turned around or lost.

We stopped at Cooper Brook Falls lean-to for a break and I was happy to be there. It was absolutely beautiful. There was a nice swimming hole and the shelter was empty. We had a nice break and snack and then pushed on.

We made really good time and had done a little over 14 miles before 11:30. I was really excited about it. We got to Antlers Campsite and The Monkeys and Good Ol' Boys were there. We were going to keep trekking but decided to stay and hang with our friends. We went swimming and attempted to swim across the lake to a sand beach but an airplane landed on the lake and scared us half to death. Tumbleweed isn’t the strongest swimmer so I gave her my crocs to put on her arms as floaty devices. It was pretty funny. We made a big fire and sat around it. The boys went fishing and we collected some mussels to eat for dinner. It was a really fun time. I was beyond happy we stayed instead of pushing on for more miles. Smiles then miles is my method!!

Antlers Campsite (13.9 miles)

Day 7

We woke up super early in the morning because we were going to do a 21.5 mile day. We had a coffee party with The Monkeys and watched the sun rise. As the sun was rising we saw a bald eagle. It was a really cool experience. We got to hiking and stopped at the first shelter to get water from Potaywadjo spring. It is a spring where the water came up from the sand and sometimes bubbles. Maine has been dry so it wasn't bubbling but it was some of the best water we had on the AT. We hiked basically all day and got to the shelter well before dark. I was so happy to hike a 20 mile day and felt really accomplished. We stayed at the Rainbow Ledges Shelter, but as usual we slept in our tent.

Rainbow Stream Lean-to (21.7 miles)

Day 8

We woke up early again and are finishing the last 15 miles of the 100 miles of wilderness! I am so happy that we went all the way through the wilderness together. It is a really good feeling. When we got to the top of Rainbow Ledges we picked blueberries for about an hour. They were so yummy.

We could see Katahdin from Rainbow Ledges and I felt emotional for the rest of the day. We have been walking north for over 1300 miles and it's a wonderful feeling to have made it this far. I know my dad is meeting us at Baxter State Park and I can't wait to see him. My dad attempted to hike Katahdin with a group of Boy Scouts a long time ago, but unfortunately didn't make it to the top because of a bad lightning storm. He was so close too. I can't imagine what it must feel like to be that close and not be able to make it to the top. I hope we can hike this mountain together sometime in 2017. I want to come back to Baxter with my dad and hike it together. I think that would be more gratifying than my whole thru-hike. My dad is the reason I love to hike and be outdoors.

We hiked the 15 miles to Abol Bridges and my heart felt so happy. Katahdin was right there in front of us! The summit a mere 15 miles away. My heart felt like it was beating in my throat. This mountain means so much to so many people. It signifies the beginning and the end to long distance hikers on the AT. It is going to be challenging and rewarding beyond words. And it's only part of my journey. Not the end of the beginning. It signifies the end of the northern terminus for us and the beginning of the southbound trek and whole new experiences!

Abol Bridge Campground and Store (15 miles)