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Wednesday–September 1, 2021
Trail Day–194
Trail Mile–-3.7/2094.4
Remaining Miles–523.0
Location–ME-17 Height of Land, then to The Cabin, East Andover, Margery Honey Towne, Proprietor
Amazing, a quiet night in the shelter. No snoring out of anyone! First light, the ruckus begins. More miles, more miles; Katahdin, Katahdin! For every northbounder the focus is singular and intense. The blinders are on–forward… I manage to roll over and get two more fine hours of sleep. Everyone’s long gone when I finally pack my gear and get back on trail. A short day today, a little under four miles, but the rocks and roots are ever-present to slow my progress.
The reason I pulled up at Sabbath Pond Lean-To yesterday was because hiking for more than eight hours–after eight hours on trail, my concentration drops way off, which compounds risk of injury. So, the 9.3 yesterday put me right on the edge. Through here, the trail in Maine, if I’m able to hold around a one-mile-per-hour average, that’s good. Later (hopefully) when I finally put the really rugged mountains behind me (the Whites and Presidentials), eight hours of trekking will give me more miles for the day.
Late morning, Hopper is waiting patiently for me at ME-17 Height of Land. As I get in her truck, she hands me an egg salad and bacon sandwich, before shuttling me back to The Cabin.
I’m tired and wore out. So, I shower, then right to bed. Don’t know if the lingering infection, the antibiotics, or perhaps 194 days on the trail, but to lay down and sleep the afternoon is a blessing.
Evening, a delicious ham dinner prepared for us. Slider stops by and we’ve a little time to visit…
If we do not allow for a rhythm of rest
in our overly busy lives,
illness becomes our Sabbath…
our accidents create Sabbath for us.
(Wayne Muller)
