Last evening we stayed at West Bethel Motel. It was nice and clean, and we must have scored the remodeled room. I hit the sack at 9pm and around 2am, I actually fell asleep. What is wrong with my sleep? I am usually the one who hits the pillow and goes to sleep within a minute or two. But lately, sleep has been eluding me. Any pearls of wisdom, I would love to hear them.

Our ride arrived promptly at 7am and drove us back to the trail to Grafton Notch. We picked up another hiker Nails, because he paints his nails. Self-care as he puts it. We all were headed northbound and today Blue and I are slackpacking. No big pack, just our daypack, a few provisions and the ten essentials of survival. I love that I don’t have to haul my backpack up and over 3700’ today. Yeah! And Norman took a Zero. He needed a rest day with all the mountains he has conquered in the past couple of weeks. Trees are one thing, but granite slabs and boulders are not his forte. I gave him a pass, and he stayed back to take a personal day off.

Today was Baldpate Peaks, East and West. It was a good climb from the moment I stepped on the trail. The weather guessers said it was going to be lovely, with a light breeze. Give me a break! It was cold, cloudy and windy. Blue and I made it 1000’ up before we both put on jackets, headgear and gloves. Blue put on her thermal pants which was quite entertaining. That girl has amazing balance until…she was hopping around on one foot and slid off the trail with half of her shoe on and off, and managed to save herself. If that was me, oh Lordy, I’d be in a pile of Maine Mud from head to toe! Somehow, someway she saved herself as we both were rolling in laughter! There must be something about having years of Communistic Gymnastics, along with Ballet and Dancing that allows you to do the things this Blue of mine, can do. If I could have an ounce of that balance, I’d take it! She is the epitome of grace and elegance on the trail! Praise you child. You are definitely from another mother!

Now all dressed to kill, we climbed the additional 2000’ up this mighty mountain. Moose poop droppings were found but still not a dang moose moving around. Nails said that he saw a moose on his way down from Old Speck yesterday on the trail ahead of him. He hikes solo and without sticks, so he snuck up on it. The moose’s butt was facing him, and when Mr. Moose noticed Nails, he bolted down the trail. Lucky Nails!

We continued up to the mostly tree-covered summit of Baldpate mountain’s west peak. Just north of the summit, about 100 yards, is a rocky opening with fantastic views to East Peak, as well as Lake Umbagog and some mountains beyond. What amazed me was the numerous lakes that I could see for miles and miles.

Blue and I followed the cairns along with the two hikers ahead and climbed the ever exposed East Peak of Baldpate Mountain. At the base of the saddle between Baldpate’s two peaks, the AT crosses through a scenic alpine bog. The mud pits can be much deeper than they look and our driver, Homespun told me that a woman was found waist deep in one of these mud pits. She had been there for five days! That would be absolutely terrifying.

We moved along over the boardwalks and started our ascent up the rocky granite slabs. There were cairns that gave us good navigation, but the wind was something fierce. Once again, I hunkered down and prayed for the best. Blue and I safely arrived to the summit and beat feet off this mountain top.

The broad, open summit of Baldpate’s East Peak is gorgeous. The summit is one of the most popular hiking destinations in Maine, with 360 degree views from wide, open slab rock. If the wind wasn’t blowing like it was, Blue and I would’ve had lunch. But no such luck, as we headed off this wind struck area.

The rest of the day were minor ups and downs mostly in forested areas. Maine is starting to grow on me. No, I do not want to move here but so far, it is a beautiful state with some incredible Maineay’s as they call themselves. Blue and I stopped ever so briefly at the Frye-Notch Lean-2 and had a bite to eat.

Homespun was picking us up at East B Hill, so I needed to make some catch-up miles. It was mostly downhill and so Blue and I hurried down, the best we could, to get our ride. Homespun was waiting with cold drinks and an Ultra Beer for Blue. She found it in the back of her car, which it just so happened, had fallen out of Blue’s pack. No open container laws in Maine, or in Homespun’s car, so Blue was free to indulge.

Such an amazing day and much to see and do on the trail. We met new hikers, many Sobo’s and one special lady named Grateful. She was finishing her hike from last year, and happened to be on Day One. I love talking with other hikers and Blue calls me The Ambassador of the Trail. But she is just as much as a spokesperson as I. That woman can talk and love on everyone she meets. I think Jesus has designed a perfect team of “Godly Women of the Trail.”

There is definitely a Revolution going on. The hikers I have met, ones I have hiked with are mainly Christians. The Men we have been hiking with, Cassain is a Priest, and Oatie and Garfield both belong to the same church and share a strong faith. Mary Poppins is a Methodist, and Couch to Trail and Braveheart are both Christians. Grateful loves the Lord and so many others have a deep relationship with Jesus. It appears that my sweet Lord may be herding in his flock to the Appalachian Trail! And I just happened to be here at the right time for whatever it is that He is doing. Pretty exciting times, I do say!