Can't Go Over It, Can't Go Under It - Sept 18

Been taking full advantage of slack packing opportunities. Hiked into Caratunk, Maine to pick up a resupply package sent to us from our daughter (thru hike 2012). After a big run around finding it (I had forgotten I told Mackenzie to send it to a hostel instead of the PO) we took a room at the Sterling Inn to shower and get our food organized. 

The next morning the nice folks at Sterling Inn drove us 14 miles north so we could slack pack south back to the Inn. Very good for the knees to hike only carrying lunch and Gatorade. 

On the side, the innkeeper at the Sterling Inn is quite the talker. At breakfast there were six of us hikers eating while he talked and talked about, among other things, the color of granite chosen in the place and that most granite in Maine is used for headstones. I was with two others getting more food when one of them said that the guy had not taken a breath for four or five minutes. The other hiker in his Scottish accent said, actually, it is quite remarkable. 

The 10th picture down and the last two pictures show water challenges on the trail. Best Wife is walking around a pond on a beaver dam. 

Then, a new beaver dam has caused water to back up onto the trail, and lastly, Best Wife has removed her hiking shoes and slipped on her Crocs to ford a river. Fun times. 

We also slack packed into Monson. That was a fun one as we were tenting about 14 miles from Monson and had plans to stay at Shaws Hostel there the next night. I called Shaws and asked if they could drive to a logging road 14 miles south of Monson. Sure, we pick up hikers there all the time. I explained to Poet that I didn't want him to pick us up, but wanted him to pick up our gear, take it to Shaws so we could hike to Shaws with only lunch and water. He said he had not done that before be would try it. The next morning at 7:15 a pickup truck showed up and grabbed our gear. We then slack packed 14 miles to Shaws in Monson where our gear was waiting for us. This is the best way to slack pack because we waste no time driving. Only our gear does the driving. 

When we hike tomorrow we will begin the hundred mile wilderness. Here we go. 

In the 11th picture down we thoroughly enjoyed the two Barq's Root Beers left by some kind soul in a cooler on the trail. Soooooo tasty. 












































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