The calls of loons are becoming common up here. I heard them at both West and East Carry Ponds. They were visible swimming in East Carry and Pierce Ponds as well. Very cool birds!

We crossed the Kennebec River at 2pm this afternoon. The official Appalachian Trail route across the Kennebec is to be ferried in Steve Longley’s canoe across the river. There’s even a blaze painted on the floor of the boat! So after a beautiful day of walking through the deepening Maine woods and walking along the falling water, we were ferried across and then walked into Caratunk.

Paul Fuller runs what might be the best hiker hostel on the entire trail. His hamburger & coffee milkshake with a full pint of ice cream were incredible. Paul is a former AT & PCT thru-hiker and just wonderful to talk to. The Caratunk House is the most likely place for me to stay and hang out with thruhikers in future years, I’d say!

Rockhound, Damaged and I caught a lift from friendly ‘Jimmy Two Dogs’ to the brewery @ Northern Outdoors—a place I’ve been before on rafting & snowmobiling trips. We finally caught up to MoonPie and had dinner with her, Chief & Jethro, Singe & Spam and Chestnut. They’d done a 4 mile day today and were great company. I’d said goodbye to MoonPie in Massachusetts and didn’t expect to see her again.

Only 156 miles to go now. The end is starting to feel real close!