Unbelievable Mice and Chipmunks

Area covered between Hurd Brook Shelter and the night spot.

The very end of a bog, back into the R &R (Roots and Rocks)

South end of Rainbow lake above and a view of Mt. Katahdin (Summit in the clouds) from atop Rainbow Mt..(On Katahdin you can see an angled light streak to the right. that is one trail to the top, Sherry and I climbed it 3 yrs ago)

I took the above pictures before catching up to Mark and Gordon. I was hoping they would  stop at Rainbow Springs Camp site. It was only 7 miles, the Lean-to we had agreed to meet was 11+ miles.  I was not going that far. After an hour or so in the dark I spotted a large camp fire. I figured Mark might be there. He ran out to the trail to give me a bear hug.

(Left is Gordon’s tent, Right is Mark’s)

Their tents were already up of course (they had been there a few hours) and Gordon said I was sleeping with him. He had a two man tent, I called his the Tajmahal. I did not turn down the invite. A thru hiker, Rus, told everyone the mice were bad.  Mark heard something on Gordon's pack. Gordon took his light over to his pack that was hanging in a tree, he hit the pack with his stick and a mouse came out a hole he had already eaten, looked at Gordon and climbed the rope back up in the tree.

I immediately checked my pack which was hung by Mark’s and a big mouse was on mine, he climbed the rope and into the tree. I never thought of mice in trees before. Nothing to do but turn in and hope for the best, after talking awhile.

(Morning Mark!)

Next morning I was introduced to the local Chipmunk, meet Alvin:

He is within 2-3 feet of me. that cracker he has he got out of Mark’s pack. Brazen fellow. He sat up and spun that cracker around and around ad he nibbled it down.

Gordon down at the spring beside Rainbow lake.

This spring was piped out, simple to draw your water!

Note how clear this lake is and calm this morning great for a reflection shot!

Time to break camp and head toward Rainbow stream lean-to for lunch.

Mark left Gordon and I, saying he would see us at the lean-to.

We passed this little lady. Miss Lee, from Ohio, she is 80 yrs young. Gordon went on but I stayed and asked if I could take her picture, she said sure, she took off her kerchief, and brushed thru her hair. I said, “All you girls are alike.” She said she had seen Mark, and asked where he had been when she needed help with her pack!.  So I kissed Miss Lee on the cheek, she said ‘Thank you!’  I headed on after Gordon.

We passed some beautiful scenery.

When I arrived at the Rainbow Stream lean-to Mark had been waiting on us Gordon was already across the log.

Mark ran across the log to get my picture. (He had an ulterior motive).

He wanted me to walk back out on the log and take this picture after he climbed the cliff.

After this picture Mark mounted his pack , and said, “ I’m headed for Wadleigh Shelter, if you guys don’t make it I am going on see you in a few days.”

Gordon and I had a snack for lunch and headed out behind him. Some beautiful scenery, and more breaks on the rocks that called for us to sit and rest.

We headed on into the evening looking for a camp site, we were NOT going to make the Wadleigh Lean-to.

Thanks for coming by the log.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

On the menu of a Swiss Restaurant:
OUR WINES LEAVE YOU NOTHING TO HOPE FOR.

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1952 Chrysler Saratoga