"The sun does not forget a village...

...just because it is small."
-African proverb


June 26, 2001


We had some record heat in Maine today.  Up near 90 I think.  It made for a hard day because I wanted to go 14.7 miles to Caratunk and stay in the bed and breakfast there to buy some extra foodstuff. 


The climb up Pleasant Pond Mountain was up and down for 4.7 miles and because of the heat I dehydrated.


I remember that every hiker that day had a decidedly unpleasant time on Pleasant Pond Mountain.


I made it to the shelter on the other side of the mountain about 1 PM, ate and rehydrated (some).  Then I trudged the 6 miles to Caratunk and now am fed and clean.


Caratunk is a village of 74 registered voters plus some other few people. The Caratunk House is run by a former AT and PCT [Pacific Crest Trail] thruhiker and a professional massager and hotel management guy.  Nice place and good food.

All of Caratunk village

I've passed about 20 SB [southbounders] and have had 3 pass me.  It makes me a little worried about my pace, if it is too fast, yet I feel well.  I'll definitely slow it down between Stratton and Andover.  Maybe a zero in Stratton?


A "zero" is not hiking any miles for a day.  I continued to fight the urge to go as many miles as possible, as if the AT hike is a race.  Instead, I strategically did few miles on the best parts of the Trail and a lot of miles on the other parts.

Psalm 17:4, 5 (The Message)


"I'm not trying to get my way
          in the world's way.
I'm trying to get your way,
          your Word's way.
I'm staying on your trail;
          I'm putting one foot
In front of the other.
          I'm not giving up."