Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to

We broke camp and set out this morning at a little after 7:30. I woke up with my stomach in rebellion (what we call "bubble guts" on the Trail). Most likely, it's from yesterday when I unscrewed my water filter and without thinking, took a mouthful of unfiltered water. Even though I did immediately spit it out, I guess the damage was done. I previously passed another hiker who complained of the same malady and shared some of my toilet paper supply with him, so we probably both got it from that earlier water supply. I increased my drinking (of filtered water!) to compensate for the loss of fluids and electrolytes, so it didn't interfere with today's hike.

I think I forgot to mention that I got a new Hennessy Cub Zip Hammock for Forest while I was at home. It has an attached bug net like my hammock, and I'm sure glad I made the investment. Even though it's the end of the black fly season, there are still some around and lots of mosquitoes and gnats. I'm protected by the Permethrin that I sprayed on my clothes and the garlic pills I take each day, but Forest's monthly medication is only for fleas and ticks. Flying insects don't bother us too much while we are hiking, or when there is a breeze, but they swarm when we stop. I think he's much happier and will sleep better.

We passed several streams and larger bodies of water today, including Pemadumcook Lake and the Lower Jo-Mary Lake. One day I will come back here with my family and my fly fishing gear and just fish my way through Maine.

After crossing Jo-Mary Road, we hiked another 3.7 miles to the Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to (SOBO mile marker 59.7), where I collected water and set up our hammocks for the night. We'll be lulled to sleep tonight by the sound of the waterfall—one of the most peaceful sounds in our natural world.

I saw a couple of hikers today who had also flip-flopped. One was the nice guy who gave me Benadryl for Forest after he ate the bees in Virginia. The second was a girl who talked about a lady she saw at the Ranger Station at Katahdin Stream Campground who was with "the cutest little boy EVER getting sworn in for his Junior Ranger badge." I laughed and told her that was my son. My wife had worked with him to complete the required workbook while she was waiting for me to return from my Katahdin summit. He is so proud of that badge.