Wet fun to finish off Maine

Well I only have about 15 mins before the library closes so I'll just get a quick one in.

The last couple of days on the trail could best be described as WET. Raining nearly all day and even when it wasn't raining the trail kept our feet soaked as it was just one long puddle most of the time. And even when that wasn't enough there were sections where the evergreens were taking over the trail and walking along meant walking through a path of water laden branches soaking you to the bone. As I remember last year when I walked the trail, when it rains (and rains for a while) the trail really just becomes a body of water... flat becomes puddle/pond, slight incline becomes creek, and large drops becomes cascading waterfalls. I know this all sounds like an exageration, but it really isn't.

The highlight of the last couple of days would have to be the Mahoosuc Arm and Notch. The Arm was a difficult rocky and of course for us full of rushing water descent into the Notch. Everything is slippery because it's wet; rocks covered in algae(sp?), roots (VERY dangerous), and mud. But the worst was these slabs of rock where you really don't have much of anything for your shoes to grip. You're searching for subtle cracks or bumps in the rock for footing, or if you're lucky there are strong enough trees along the sides of this slanting rock that you can swing your way down using.

The Notch is probably the most talked about mile on the trail - also called the toughest mile on the trail. Basically a mile long boulder field. The trekking poles were collapsed and strapped to the pack and the ROCK CLIMBING began! When it wasn't squeezing in between boulders or climbing over them, it was climbing through and under them. It really was a blast and made me feel like a child again :) Well ok, more of a child than normal, hehe! Have to say though as much fun as it was, it really did take alot out of me physically. One of my slips resulted in a good knock to my knee and a busted trekking pole (called REI today and they kick butt! will be sending a replacement pair to my next maildrop!). Another slip was while I was on top of a watermellon sized rock that was covered in that good slippery green stuff and I lost it - arms flailing and feet/legs churning to regain footing (felt like a cartoon character on a rolling barrel or something!)... I swear, in my mind, I had given in to the fact that I was screwed, a goner, I was going down. But instinctively the legs refused to give up and I somehow landed on my feet, heart pumping full of adrenaline and me standing there in disbelief that I was still in one piece! Ahhh the experiences here on the trail! hahahaha

Tell you one thing, during much of a few of these days, I could help but think that I Mama knew half of what I was doing out here, she wouldn't be sleeping at night!

Still alive though and looking forward to more good times!

Soooo Maine is done, New Hampshire is here. Currently staying in Gorham in the sorriest hostel I've yet stayed at on the trail. But I really guess we have been spoiled - and I now remember being told that many places up north aren't quite as nice and hiker friendly as those further south. Again, spoiled. It's a dry bed with something of a mattress and has a shower. Unfortunately we have hiking plans that have us staying here 3 nights. Got in last night, zero today, and a 21 mile slack pack back here tomorrow.

Ok, gotta wrap up - closing time!

Tomorrow the Whites! Supposed to be good weather for at least a couple more days - Yippeeee!