Nimblewill Nomad
Long Distance Hiker/Author
Journal 179-ODYSSEY 2021: Bama to Baxter-Hike On!
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Tuesday–August 17, 2021
Trail Day–179
Trail Mile–-12.0/2,012.1
Location–US-201, then to Sterling Inn, Caratunk, Eric Angevine, Proprietor
605.3 Miles Remaining
The challenge this morning is getting out and going–early. I’m way past 100-Mile Wilderness Cabins, where last night was our final night. So, this morning the drive back to the trail will take more than an hour. T-Bone will be hiking with me today. So, it’s Tulip‘s task to get us on trail and hiking. She’ll then need to return to Monson, the 100-Mile Wilderness Cabins, clear their room out, get her boys and everything loaded, then return (yet further away) to pick us up this evening.
But success! We’re packs up and on trail before eight–for a difficult 12-mile hike. Tough climbs today, first up and over Middle Mountain (1,000+ feet of up), then comes Pleasant Pond Mountain, more up, and from there a nearly 2,000-foot bail-off to Caratunk and the Kennebec River. We’ve spectacular views from both vantages, but slow going through yet more rocks, boulders, and roots.
Late afternoon, Tulip has made it around to US-201, our destination, and hikes in to greet us.
Evening, I’m treated to a wonderful supper provided by Tulip & T-Bone. Then comes that inevitable sad time as they and the boys depart for home.
What great support they’ve provided, and what a memorable time we’ve had. Goodbye Tulip, T-Bone Walker, Charlie and Henry…
How lucky I am to have something
that makes saying goodbye so hard.
(A.A. Milne)
Nimblewill Nomad 