Blueberries on Moxie Bald
July 19, 2006 - Moxie Bald Shelter to Middle Mountain
I was up early and had a short day of hiking if I stay at the next shelter. I hiked up to Moxie Bald and it was a
beautiful day and a beautiful mountain. I took several pictures and Squeaky Clean stopped by too and took a break.
The hike off the mountain went through several interesting rock tunnels and boulders which were big and neat.
Again I took several pictures of them too. I ate many blueberries on this day. They are big and everywhere. Squeaky
Clean is hiking down the trail in his Crocks. {Shelter shoes} His boots hurt and the Crocks are more comfortable but
the rocks aren’t kind to your feet with light weight shoes on. I love my big ass heavy boots. They are fairly
comfortable and the rocks don’t hurt your feet. There are advantages to both kinds of footwear but I tend to sprain
my ankles easily so heavy boots are the only way for me to go. There have been many thru-hikers going home 200
miles before they finish because of a broken ankle. I left the summit after an hour and decided to head for the
shelter. The shelter had good water but the area was overgrown with tall weeds and grass. It was early so I decided
to move on after a nice lunch and a nap. I felt like walking a little more on a nice day and I made it to about one mile
from Pleasant Pond Mountain and set up camp cowboy style on a cool clear night. It is beautiful here. There are
plenty of blueberries and wood but no water up on top. I carried enough up to camp out . I slept well out in the open
with a super nice little fire till late. This big mountain and I am the only person in the world on it this night! When
getting my water before this big mountain I saw a big momma moose and a fawn. I finally had to holler at them. They
were getting too close for me. I yelled when they got to about 75 feet away. They just turned and ran off. It was fun
watching them eat and the youngster play around momma
I was up early and had a short day of hiking if I stay at the next shelter. I hiked up to Moxie Bald and it was a
beautiful day and a beautiful mountain. I took several pictures and Squeaky Clean stopped by too and took a break.
The hike off the mountain went through several interesting rock tunnels and boulders which were big and neat.
Again I took several pictures of them too. I ate many blueberries on this day. They are big and everywhere. Squeaky
Clean is hiking down the trail in his Crocks. {Shelter shoes} His boots hurt and the Crocks are more comfortable but
the rocks aren’t kind to your feet with light weight shoes on. I love my big ass heavy boots. They are fairly
comfortable and the rocks don’t hurt your feet. There are advantages to both kinds of footwear but I tend to sprain
my ankles easily so heavy boots are the only way for me to go. There have been many thru-hikers going home 200
miles before they finish because of a broken ankle. I left the summit after an hour and decided to head for the
shelter. The shelter had good water but the area was overgrown with tall weeds and grass. It was early so I decided
to move on after a nice lunch and a nap. I felt like walking a little more on a nice day and I made it to about one mile
from Pleasant Pond Mountain and set up camp cowboy style on a cool clear night. It is beautiful here. There are
plenty of blueberries and wood but no water up on top. I carried enough up to camp out . I slept well out in the open
with a super nice little fire till late. This big mountain and I am the only person in the world on it this night! When
getting my water before this big mountain I saw a big momma moose and a fawn. I finally had to holler at them. They
were getting too close for me. I yelled when they got to about 75 feet away. They just turned and ran off. It was fun
watching them eat and the youngster play around momma
Near Maxie Bald Summit
July 20, 2006 - Middle Mountain to Pierce Pond Shelter
I left camp early and hiked hard and fast with a light pack to Pleasant Pond Shelter by 9:30 a.m. I had a hot lunch
and got another fuel canister at this shelter. I also got a nice poncho and will send it home in Caratunk. I got into
Caratunk at 1:30 p.m. Near the road a trail angel left hikers some sodas in a cooler. I got Mt. Dew and it did the trick.
I had plenty of energy the rest of the day. I walked ¼ mile into Caratunk and got my mail at post office. I got two big
flat rate boxes and they are heavy. I didn’t need anything else so I headed out of town where I met the person who
had left the sodas at the trail head. They gave me a ride back to the trail and even though it was only ¼ mile it
helped since it was road walking. I crossed the ferry in a canoe. I had to ford the Kennebec on my 1981 trip and now
it is a ferry. I then walked 3.5 more miles to Pierce Pond Shelter. I loved this shelter in 1981 and it seems to have not
changed much since then. The shelter faces the lake which is clean and beautiful. I went swimming after getting
here and the water was warm and refreshing. Lemon Lime, Bonefish, Sunshine and her dad are here tonight. We
had a nice fire here this evening. The others are going to Harrison Camp tomorrow for breakfast. I have way too
much food and will eat here at the shelter. I had a shot of whisky after dinner and slept well.
I left camp early and hiked hard and fast with a light pack to Pleasant Pond Shelter by 9:30 a.m. I had a hot lunch
and got another fuel canister at this shelter. I also got a nice poncho and will send it home in Caratunk. I got into
Caratunk at 1:30 p.m. Near the road a trail angel left hikers some sodas in a cooler. I got Mt. Dew and it did the trick.
I had plenty of energy the rest of the day. I walked ¼ mile into Caratunk and got my mail at post office. I got two big
flat rate boxes and they are heavy. I didn’t need anything else so I headed out of town where I met the person who
had left the sodas at the trail head. They gave me a ride back to the trail and even though it was only ¼ mile it
helped since it was road walking. I crossed the ferry in a canoe. I had to ford the Kennebec on my 1981 trip and now
it is a ferry. I then walked 3.5 more miles to Pierce Pond Shelter. I loved this shelter in 1981 and it seems to have not
changed much since then. The shelter faces the lake which is clean and beautiful. I went swimming after getting
here and the water was warm and refreshing. Lemon Lime, Bonefish, Sunshine and her dad are here tonight. We
had a nice fire here this evening. The others are going to Harrison Camp tomorrow for breakfast. I have way too
much food and will eat here at the shelter. I had a shot of whisky after dinner and slept well.
Pierce Pond Shelter
Pierce Pond
Home
7