Monsen ME, 2060 done, 114 left to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Hi Everyone

We have been enjoying some fabulous weather and are starting to put some miles on even though we are both a little tired.

We left Stratten on the 24th and hiked over the Bigelows. This was one of the last big climbs in Maine. We did a little over 15 miles and tented for the nite.

On the 25th we had another great day of weather and hiked over 17 miles. We even had lunch on the beach and did a little swimming. Check out the photo. They call their lakes "Ponds" in Maine, but, it was a pretty big pond. The hiking is starting to get a little flatter, but the roots, rocks and mud is endless. I don't know how people hiked this during the wet weather we experienced in VT and NH. We have heard stories about people quitting with 50 miles to go because it was so bad.

On the 26th we did a 19 mile day and that included getting ferried across the Kennebec river and picking up a mail drop in Caratunk. Patty really pushed to make the last few miles, but, our options were somewhat limited on where we could camp. I have a picture of the vessel that was used to Ferry us across the river along with it's captain. This ferry was closed for 3 days when the water was high and our captain said the water is 4 feet higher in the afternoon because of the release from a dam up river. Supposedly there are Class 5 rapids on the upper stretch of this river. Patty declined on an offer to go whitewater rafting on the upper stretch of this river stating that she has had enough near death experiences on this trip and did not need to have any more adrenaline rushes this trip.

On the 27th we woke to temps in the 40's and climbed Max Bald. It was a great walk up a lot of nice dry slick rock. We gorged ourselves on what may be some of the last blueberries of the season and then walked all afternoon along a great piece of river. We also had a couple of river crossing thrown in just for fun. We camped along the river in a great spot and listened to the rapids all night long.

This morning we walked 9 miles into the town of Monson ME. Our last mail drop was waiting for us at Shaw's. Shaw's is where we are staying for the night and rumor has it they do a fantastic breakfast. Supper tonight will be at the Lakeshore Pub and an all you can eat Taco feed.

We hiked from Caratunk to Monson in three days instead of four and we will enter the 100 Mile Wilderness tomorrow. We have planned to do this in 6 nights and 7 days and then hope to summit Mt Katadin next Friday or Saturday. I will make sure I post our summit picture. We may stay in Maine for an additional week and do a little vacationing and then head home.

I have posted the following pictures;

1. Patty crossing a small creek.
2. Jeff crossing a small creek
3. Our vessel and guide to cross the Kennebec.
4. A nice river shot.
5. Lunch on the beach.
6. A view of Maine from 3000 feet.

If you have not taken Patty's Ice Cream Challenge yet, Please do so and let us know your favorite Ben & Jerry's flavor!!!!!!!!!!!

Red Dog and Lucky Dog.