2000 miles
Caratunk, ME - Mile 2038 - Aug 24th, 2015
Day 146
Mile 2038
Since my last journal entry, things have been a bit up and down; as a hiker life should be.
I have still been enjoying the trail, but my body began taking some hits. I took a few bad falls that have left me a bit hampered. My thumb taking the worst of it; see below. Even tying my shoes was difficult for a few days. But I am fine. I enjoyed feeling mortal, if only for awhile. My knees, elbows and shins are all cut up. My feet are going a bit numb. The rocks and roots are slippery. They are not soft. The mountains have seemed never ending.. We were still doing big, steep climbs. My legs and body were just exhausted. I kept my mileage low. Ten to fourteen mile days. Just trying to take it slow and enjoy the final stretch.
The great news is that I have been swimming nearly every day. I take abnormally long breaks and have made it over 2000 miles. Hot damn! My thumb is on the mend, the weather has been pretty great and I took a zero at a hostel in Stratton, Maine. They had a kitchen and a grill we could use. I made ten pounds of Peruvian style chicken for the hikers and everyone took turns buying 12 packs of beer. It was my favorite hostel on trail.
I've been hanging with a bunch of different groups. Enjoying fellow thru hiker company more than ever. I know my time with these folks is limited. I may never see some of them again. Yesterday, seven of us forded the Kennebec River, with the help of a local paddle boarder who took our bags across. What a rush! The ferry operator, who was on lunch break, said we were the stupidest seven people on the trail.
Finch and I have become close friends. We've known each other since Massachusetts but really started hanging out the last couple weeks. We saw a moose last week from 100 yards walk into a pond, go for a swim and walk to within 10 feet of us. It was just a calf, but stood about 6 feet tall. It was remarkable. See pic below. We later saw a mink, a hare and both ruffed and spruce grouse.
Maine is pristine. There isn't a piece of trash to be found; the trail is well marked and difficult. There have been highland lakes, boreal bogs, rivers, streams and ponds at each mountain base. Waterfalls. Moss covered forests. It feels a bit surreal to even be here. Like a dream world. To think that I walked here from Georgia. God, what a trip. I can easily say that Maine is the best state. Well, if you don't mind leeches...
All that being said, I had been desperately trying to get to this point, as the mountains have finally given way. They have ceded to our demands. They have finally been broken and the trail has turned into a flat and relatively easy hike to the finish line. Yesterday I had 2 small climbs in 15 miles of trail. It's what dreams are made of. The Hundred Mile Wilderness is coming up soon. It is a flat, fun section of trail that leads directly to Mt. Katahdin. 100 miles of pure Maine wilderness. I can't wait to get there, although currently I feel a bit conflicted. I don't know whether I should sprint to the finish line or just take my time. I am very excited to finish this thing up, but also a bit sad as it is winding down rather rapidly. I am thinking September 1st or 2nd may be the day. I'll be watching the weather patterns in the coming days. I want to get a good day on Katahdin.
It's too soon to even ponder about what that moment is going to feel like. My eyes swell with tears every time I think about it. My chest tightens. It's that powerful for me. That emotional. I'll go into it more in my final journal entry, after finishing, but let's just say that this little adventure has taught me a new way of life. A new way of living.
Ha! I feel wise beyond my years. Like I know the secret of life!
I'll keep you posted,
Mic
A special shout out to my big brother, Brandon Barg! Happy birthday to one of my first idols and biggest supporters! You da man brah.
Jason
Caratunk, ME - Mile 2038 - Aug 24th, 2015