We have made it to the Kennebec River near Caratunk, Maine and are waiting for the 9:00am canoe ferry.
It is a spectacular morning. A ferry service is provided free of charge by Fletcher Mountain Outfitters contracted by the Maine Appalachian Trail Club and the Appalachian Trail Club. A hiker lost her life here one year trying to ford the river. Ever since then the canoe ferry has been transporting hikers from bank to bank. There even is a white blaze painted on the bottom of the canoe for purist.
Dave the Ferryman was right on time. A really nice chap who has been doing this for 9 years. He was extremely friendly and you could tell he took pride in the service he provides.
This journey is coming to an end faster then I expected. I am ready to be done but at the same time I can’t believe it is almost over. Only 151.2 more miles left plus the descent from the summit. Last night as I lay in my tent not able to sleep I realized, “I my gosh, I only have about 2 weeks left to eat whatever, whenever and as much as I want and not worry about weight gain.” I have lost about 18 pounds but have dropped three pant sizes and I don’t want to put any of it back on. My favorite treat in town is Moxie, nacho Doritos and chocolate aptly named by a fellow hiker, the Black Bear Special. That will be one habit I will have to kick right away.
We are staying at Northern Outdoors, a very nice sporting resort that caters mostly to rafting, ATV and snowsledding enthusiasts and the tired and hungry hikers like myself, Maps and Moxie. I have been here on two other occasions during the winter with my brother and other friends. This place is spectacular. A very nice place tuck away at The Forks, Maine. A Lodge hotel, pub and accommodations from tent platforms to whole cabins. Something for all budgets. We are sharing a room in their logdominium. It is a spacious area with a kitchenette, couch area, bathroom double bed and a loft with a double and single bed. I hope to hit the hot tub after supper
Which is strategically placed right outside the bar. And yes, we won’t even need to get out to order beverages.
Happy Hiking
