View from Katahdin on the Appalachian Trail, Maine

“Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So... get on your way.” - Dr. Seuss

While my thru hike of the Appalachian Trail was technically over, I still had 5 miles back down the mountain to reach the parking area.   The clouds never moved out, but they did a few "openings" to allow for a sneak peak of the valleys below.  I look forward to visiting this area again in the future.  Maybe even next fall season if things workout.

Humor for the day - On a rural road a state trooper pulled this farmer over and said: "Sir, do you realize your wife fell out of the car several miles back?"


To which the farmer replied: "Thank God, I thought I had gone deaf!"

Completion of the Appalachian Trail - Mount Katahdin in Maine

I have been asked buy a couple of people for a photography at Katahdin.  I had posted one on facebook, but with the weather conditions that were present, it was not conducive to photography so I had not posted it here.  After a few request, I decided to do so.

Katahdin is the terminus of the Appalachian Trail and truly is an appropriate mountain for the terminus.  I was unable to get the full view, but about halfway down their was a gap in the clouds that allowed us  to get a peak of some of the views.   The rain and wind made most of the hike "uncomfortable", but it did not take away the sense of accomplishment.   I guess in some ways it was only right for there to be rain at the end of my hike since so much of this years hike seemed to take place under the same conditions.  

Fall Colors in Maine on Appalachian Trail

Fall Colors on the Appalachian Trail in Maine.

“But I remember more dearly autumn afternoons in bottoms that lay intensely silent under old great trees” - C.S. Lewis

Fall colors and crystal clear lakes.  The only thing that could have made it better is warmer weather so we could enjoy swimming in a few of the many lakes that line the Appalachian Trail in Maine.   The fall colors, the clear water, the clean air, the sound of loons in the morning, the signs of moose all around, all led to this being the most enjoyable section of the Appalachian Trail for me.

Humor of the day - Two men were digging a ditch on a very hot day. One said to the other, "Why are we down in this hole digging a ditch when our boss is standing up there in the shade of a tree?" "I don't know," responded the other. "I'll ask him."


So he climbed out of the hole and went to his boss. "Why are we digging in the hot sun and you're standing in the shade?" "Intelligence," the boss said. "What do you mean, ‘intelligence'?"
The boss said, "Well, I'll show you. I'll put my hand on this tree and I want you to hit it with your fist as hard as you can." The ditch digger took a mighty swing and tried to hit the boss' hand. The boss removed his hand and the ditch digger hit the tree. The boss said, "That's intelligence!"
The ditch digger went back to his hole. His friend asked, "What did he say?" "He said we are down here because of intelligence." "What's intelligence?" said the friend. The ditch digger put his hand on his face and said, "Take your shovel and hit my hand."

Fall Colors in Maine, Appalachian Trail

"For man, autumn is a time of harvest, of gathering together.

For nature, it is a time of sowing, of scattering abroad."
- Edwin Way Teale

Usually when hiking we would wake up, eat, and take our time packing up and try to get on the trail by around 7:30-8:00.   This time it was different, I am not sure if it was the colors or just that I was so excited to be in Maine, but I was usually up right after daybreak and on the trail within 20 minutes.   I would hike to the first water source or overlook and usually have breakfast.  It made for some long days, but I was able to experience some of the most amazing landscape on the trail and the best time of the year.   One day I will go back to the 100 mile wilderness, but next time I am going to have a fly rod with me. 

Humor for the day - A traffic cop on patrol one night, watching a 35mph zone on the edge of town, suddenly saw a car come blazing by his hideout. Quickly grabbing at his radar gun, he clocked the fast moving vehicle at 87mph!

The officer took off after the speeder and soon had the car pulled over on the side of the road. Expecting trouble with such a reckless driver, the patrolman approached cautiously.
To his surprise the driver of the offending vehicle was a little old lady, barely tall enough to see over the steering wheel.
“Ma’am,” the officer began. “Do you know how fast you were going?”
“I was just getting her up around 90, I believe, officer,” the old lady answered calmly, peering up at him through her bifocals. “Why, what seems to be the problem?”
Shocked, the officer returned her comment, “What seems to be the problem? Why, this is a 35mph zone! That’s the problem. Didn’t you see the sign?”
“Oh sure,” the old lady returned, “That’s why I’m driving so fast. I’m just trying to follow it’s instruction.”
Dumbfounded, the officer was momentarily speechless.
“Just what sign are you talking about, Ma’am?” he asked, when he finally recovered.
Smiling up at the officer, the old lady placed a gentle hand on his wrist and said, “Why, the one that said ‘Speed Zone Ahead’, of course!”

Appalachian Trail in Maine

How strange that Nature does not knock, and yet does not intrude! ~Emily Dickinson

I don't think I would ever grow tired of the beauty of Maine.   The Appalachian Trail does a good job of taking you by most of the lakes and overlooks in the area.   It was pretty windy and chilly on the mountain  tops and you always wanted to spend some time there, but at the same time you always knew you had something else to look forward to coming up.   I had camped on the shores of the lake, but had an early start so arrived at this spot fairly early in the morning.  

Humor for the day - Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson go on a camping trip. After a good dinner and a bottle of wine, they retire for the night, and go to sleep.

Some hours later, Holmes wakes up and nudges his faithful friend. “Watson, look up at the sky and tell me what you see.”

“I see millions and millions of stars, Holmes” replies Watson.

“And what do you deduce from that?”

Watson ponders for a minute. “Well,

Astronomically, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets.

Astrologically, I observe that Saturn is in Leo.

Horologically, I deduce that the time is approximately a quarter past three.

Meteorologically, I suspect that we will have a beautiful day tomorrow.

Theologically, I can see that God is all powerful, and that we are a small and insignificant part of the universe.

But what does it tell you, Holmes?”

Holmes is silent for a moment.
“Watson, you idiot!” he says. “Someone has stolen our tent!”

Appalachian Trail - Maine

While the Appalachian Trail in Maine is challenging, you are constantly rewarded with mountain top views and crystal clear lakes and rivers.   I would often sleep near these lakes and fall asleep to the sounds of loons during the night.   It was cool enough to keep mosquitoes away, which meant it was also to cold for me to swim, but I can only imagine how bad it must have been for some of my friends who finished their journey earlier in the summer.

“The clearest way to the Universe is through a forest wilderness” -John Muir

Humor for the day - These bear hunters were sitting around the cabin the night before the hunt bragging about their pass hunts.


The cabin boy was listening and went over and said "you guys make it seam pretty hard on capturing a bear".

They all laughed and said "it is hard; do you think you could bag one"?

"I can go out and bag you 2 if you will skin them, and I will bet each of you $100.00.

They agreed and off he went out into the night.

Soon he spotted a big grizzly; he waved his arm and started hollering the big bear started after him and he started running for the shack. When he got close to the shack he started yelling. "Open the door he yelled".

They looked out and saw the bear chasing the boy. Just as he got to the door they opened it and he stepped aside and the bear went in. He slammed the door and locked it and shouted. "OK skin him I'll go and get the other one".