"You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4,...

"...not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy and the flies die from happiness."
-Erma Bombeck

July 4, 2001


Took on Saddleback Mountain today and loved it.

The Saddlebacks

Saw a black bear on the way down.  I took a quick snapshot and then yelled and banged my poles together until it ran off. 


I wasn't too scared seeing the bear, as it was a ways off and rolling rocks and shaking trees.  Usually, this means the bear is trying to scare me off.  It went off into the woods.

I was more scared continuing on the Trail toward where it ran.  I was on pins and needles taking each corner in the Trail, waiting for the bear to appear out of nowhere.

Suddenly, I turned a corner to a black blob and jumped several feet!

And it was the local trail runner (they are like interns than keep the trail clean and help people out) wearing a black jacket.  I explained why I jumped so much, and he said he would warn others there was a bear around.

I would see the bear on the other side of this Saddleback peak.

I've seen my moose, bear, and a bonus fisher [the first day I entered the 100 Mile Wilderness].  I also saw a baby fox and heard an adult fox with it.


Josh and I got to the lean-to at noon so we headed down to Rangeley and got 7 pounds of hamburger with fixings!  


The other hikers that came in after us were thrilled with the Fourth of July fare!


Also, called home and got mom and dad.  It's nice to know they know where I am and that the number works.


My parents had just moved to their new home and their new home phone number.  We connected and all was good.