Wadleigh Stream Lean-to

Woke up stiff, swollen, and sore. Still, we were in the 100 Mile Wilderness so we had to hike. But how far would we get with my knee swollen? Just had to grin and bear it.

We ate and packed and headed out. After all, it could be an easy day in Maine… Yeah right! Metal stair cases, wood bridges, bog planks, etc,.

At least it was a bright sunny day.

Beach with 4G!

Got to call Tipawa! Made my day!

I knew by this time it was going to be a short day and that I was pretty much done for the season. The new grinding deep in my knee joint was probably not going away.

We hiked till we saw a nice campsite off the trail beside a creek. There we set up for the night. We put on our shorts and water shoes and Gig and Tink went for a swim in the creek. I sat on the bank and soaked.

After our swim I heard the call of nature. Gig had to go too. So he went right and I went left. I grabbed my shovel and tp and went out into the woods. I took care of what I needed to as fast as possible due to the mosquito’s and turned to go back to the campsite. At that point I realized I had turned myself around. Normally I lay my shovel in the direction back to the campsite, but I didn’t this time in my rush to escape the Blood Suckers.

I knew I was in a precarious position. I was in the middle of the 100 Mile Wilderness. If I got really lost it would not be good. So I followed Rule Number One, “DON’T PANIC!” I stopped where I was, took a deep breath, and let myself relax. I waited. Then it came to me. The sound I was hearing was the creek bubbling away. The creek was right next to the trail. All I had to do was walk to the sound and I would hit the trail. It didn’t matter which way the campsite was on the trail, I could walk in each direction for ten minutes if I had too; either way I wouldn’t be lost.

I got to the trail and turned right and walked 100 yards to the campsite. As I walked in I saw Gig coming from the opposite direction. “Thank God we were at the creek.” He said walking up to me. “I had to use the sound to get back to the trail.”

“Me too!” I laughed, “We need to bring our whistles with us from now on. Next time we may not have the creek. And we can whistle while we poo!”

The Creek That Saved our Lives!

We hiked 5.8 Miles for the day.