Road Trip Through Baxter State Park

I had the good fortune to spend my Saturday completing a non-hosted hike of Mt. Katahdin with The Summit Project.  If you saw my earlier blog post today - it was an amazing day to be on the mountain.  But that was just half of our weekend.  After everyone said their good-byes on Saturday night, I learned that Ranger Mike would be doing his run from Matagamon Gate through the park to Togue Gate to check in at all of the campgrounds.  I did not have any plans on Sunday, and he asked if I would like to tag along.  Well Sunday morning came, and it turned out I was not the only one that wanted to spend more time in the park.  CPT Jay Brainard and CPL Andrew Hutchins also joined us for the drive.

Mike's route would take him north from Millinocket to Matagamon Gate via Patten, so we thought it would be a great opportunity to stop in and pay SPC Dustin Harris a visit.  Here is a photo of Jay and Andrew with Dustin:

Andrew, Dustin, and Jay.

We stayed for several minutes while I shared memories of Dustin from school - some of them having taken place just a short trip down the road on the playground at Patten Grammar School.  Before long we had to say our good-byes.  It was a short visit, but it was nice to be able to share these memories.

Our drive took us from there up the Shin Pond Road, and as we drove I couldn't help but share stories of growing up in the area.  When we got above Shin Pond Village, I insisted we stop at Crommet Spring for water.  It's something I always did growing up when we were on the way in to South Branch Pond, and I could let us drive right by without stopping.

We also made a quick stop at Matagamon Wilderness on our way to the gate where Ranger Mike Martin was helping someone who was having car trouble.  Mike Martin's son, Mark, also went to school with Dustin and I.  It was nice to have the opportunity to catch up for a few minutes and share the TSP mission with him.  We introduced him to Jay and Andrew, and then I invited him to join us for a hike when he was able.  We are hoping to plan a hike of North Traveler in August if scheduling allows.

It is not far from the store to the gate, and I felt like a kid again as we drove by Horse Mountain.  I always was amazed just gazing up at the rock face.  To hike it from the trail-head in the park is not a strenuous hike - the mountain really isn't that big.  But to look at it from that side, it appears intimidating even at it's size.  Next we came by the Matagamon boat landing, and I thought of all of the trips I had taken here.  Trips to go kayaking on the lake, snowsled trips to go to camp, or even just a drive in to watch the sun come up across the lake.

We stopped at the gate house for Ranger Mike to check in, and Jay, Andrew, and I walked over to the picnic area where there was a view across the lake.  I took their picture with Grand Lake Matagamon in the background, and I thought of all of the people I have always shared stories of this area with.  Some of the stories were my own, but others come second hand (or third hand) from generations before me telling of hunting, fishing, and a passion for the Northern Maine Woods that I really think is just in my blood.

We made our way back up to the gate house, and as Ranger Mike came out the door, I noticed a large map of the park and surrounding areas.  It gave me an opportunity to chat with everyone about my family's hunting camp and the times I spent there with my Uncle Bob when I was little.  It made me think of Andrew and Jeff spending time out to camp together - which then made me want brownies for lunch.

From Matagamon Gate we continued on our way to Trout Brook Farm.  Oddly enough, this was probably the first time in ten years that I had stopped at Trout Brook Farm.  I always get so caught up in making my way through to South Branch Pond that I drive right on through without a thought.  Since Mike needed to stop here, though, that meant we all were stopping.  We took the opportunity to wander down by the brook for a short walk and grab another picture.

The black-flies were out in full force at Trout Brook, so we made it a short stopover there.  I know that I will come back later this year to explore some of the trails I have never traveled, though.

Our drive then took us past the Fowler Ponds trail-head, and I was reminded of a hike through there I had done with my aunt, Amanda, last November.  It was an uncharacteristically warm November day that has had me itching to come back and hike through from Fowler Ponds to South Branch (my Baxter Bucket List keeps growing).  We did not stop here, but I think I shared enough to make everyone want to come back someday.

Next up was a stop at my favorite place in the park.  Even though there are areas that I have not ventured through, I know that this will always feel like coming home.  South Branch Pond is where we always went during our summers growing up.  It was a race to see who could catch the first frog or salamander, who could swim out to the dock first, and then later on daring each other to jump from the cliffs at Upper South Branch and hiking North Traveler were added into the mix (although none of us had the energy to turn that into a race).  While Mike made his rounds, I took the boys down to the pond to snap a picture with the distinct landscape of South Branch in the background.

Shore of Lower South Branch Pond.

We stood for several minutes just taking in the view and listening to the waves meet the shore.  South Branch Pond is a place I always look forward to taking someone for the first time.  I'm not sure if Jay or Andrew had been here before, and they didn't say, but I get the impression that they enjoyed the chance to see some of the northern part of the park.

Walking back up to the Ranger Station, we found Ranger Mike sharing stories of The Summit Project with another Ranger, Gabe.  I introduced him to Jay and Andrew, and we shared their stories with him and talked about the previous day's hike of Katahdin.  Gabe has spent a lot of time in the park at South Branch, and he has probably heard many stories of hiking Katahdin along with experiencing his own.  But he was as attentive as someone hearing it for the first time while we talked about the TSP hike.  I like to think we all made an impression, and hopefully he will join us for a hike someday.  He was kind enough to send us on our way with some homemade blueberry scones, and we hit the road again for Nesowadnehunk Campground.

Now I was not much for fishing growing up.  I didn't like to eat fish, but I think I may have if I had learned to fly fish.  I've always loved to watch people fly fish - it seems to require a level of graceful movement that I am just not capable of.  Or at least not without putting myself in danger of getting a hook stuck in me rather than the fish.  I have heard, however, that Jeff Hutchins taught Andrew Hutchins to fish.  To this day, it seems to be something that Jeff really has a passion for.  So when we were about to pass by Nesowadnehunk Lake, Ranger Mike took a turn down towards the lake to see what we could see.  Even in the rain there was a boat out there on the lake with two people trying their hand at catching dinner.  Andrew and I got out of the truck to get a photo for Jeff.  We both thought he might to visit the lake someday.

Watching the fisherman from shore.

A short time later we met a campground ranger named Betsy.  I thought that a funny coincidence given that Andrew's step-mother is also named Betsy.  After spending a few minutes talking with her about Jay, Andrew, and The Summit Project - I really think that should the two Betsy's ever meet, they would both get along great and also be all kinds of trouble.... definitely my kind of people.

Betsy had a lot of work to do clearing out the campsites for the next wave of campers to move through, so we hit the road again to head for Kidney Pond.  Along the way, we passed the grave of the Unknown River Driver.  It's places like this that remind me that even years later, the people of Maine respect and honor their own.  It won't matter how much time passes, we will remember them...we will honor them.  We took no photos, but we silently paid our respects to the many lost working in the woods during that time.

As we reached Kidney Pond, I couldn't help but be excited when I saw the Library.  Yes, there is a library at Kidney Pond.  I didn't even give Ranger Mike a chance to say a word before I hopped out of the truck and headed for the Library.  As I wandered around the small building taking in the history contained in the two rooms - I was struck by two things.  First as I looked for a place to take Andrew's photo, I spotted a book called "Backcast: Fatherhood, Fly-fishing, and a River Journey Through the Heart of Alaska".  Jeff, I believe Andrew was thinking of you in that moment, and so was I.  He posed with the book so I could take this photo:

Visiting the Kidney Pond Library

Now I also wanted to take Jay's photo, but unfortunately I did not know Jay as well as I know Andrew.  Remembering how Ranger Mike had spoken of Jay's love for hiking and the outdoors - I spotted a book I read years ago that is about a boy achieving what everyone else deemed impossible by reaching a summit no one else dared to.  Here is his photo with "Banner in the Sky":

Jay at Kidney Pond Library.

Now - this is truly a sign.  As I sit here writing about our journey through the park, I went back to The Summit Project's page that tells Jay's story.  Jay met his wife, Emily, at a bowling alley in 2005 where she says they just instantly clicked.  Sitting next to Jay is a bowling ball, and I didn't know why this was here on the bookshelf until Ranger Mike shared the story of how the Colt Family once had a bowling alley at Kidney Pond.  Later I would use Google to find that this had been at the request of Ethel Barrymore Colt who favored bowling and insisted on that luxury even at a place as remote as Kidney Pond.  Of course this was many years ago, but the table tops in the Library were made from the lanes themselves and these two bowling balls remain .. two pieces of history sitting on the shelf where I just happened to take Jay's photo.

Taking in the view from the tables at Kidney Pond.

It turns out that Kidney Pond was not the only place in the park that was fortunate enough to have a Library.  Pulling up to the Ranger Station at Daicey Pond, I was pleasantly surprised to find another waiting for me.  This library was smaller, but every library has it's hidden treasures if you stop to look.  We found a set of antlers on the wall that I am sure has a story, although I could not tell you what that was.  We found a Smokey Bear puzzle that again made me think of Jeff and smile.  And then there was the small book left by an artist that had spent time at Daicey Pond sketching the landscapes and wild-life.  I thought it might be a book Jay would have liked, as there were many scenes of Katahdin that were most likely sketched from the campground we were now at.

Smokey Bear and cubs.

Jay loved Katahdin.

View from the Library porch.

Looking out across the pond at the wind and rain, we were all glad we had hiked Katahdin on Saturday when the weather was much more cooperative.  Being on the mountain on Sunday would have been a much tougher day.

Katahdin Stream Campground was our next stop.  This was far more familiar, as we had all been there just a month earlier as part of TSP at BSP 2015.  It's unbelievable how fast a month has passed.  It was another reminder to me just how important each day is and how much I appreciated the chance to spend my weekend in the park as part of TSP.  The ranger at Katahdin Stream was out, so Andrew and Jay did not get to meet him.  They did, however, get to take a couple of photos on the porch of the Ranger Station where so many Katahdin hikers have stopped.  This made me think of Mike Keighley who is currently thru-hiking the AT headed for Maine.  Jay will be making his way to Mike in the upcoming week to hike back to Katahdin Stream and summit Katahdin with Mike in late July.

Checking out the model of Mt. Katahdin.

The AT Hiker Registry

We had another stop at Abol Campground, but we did not have an opportunity for photos there.  Jay and Andrew did get to meet Ranger Dave, though, and we stayed for several minutes laughing more than once as Dave shared stories of life in the park.  I was sad to leave both because we were having fun and because this was our last stop before we would hit Togue Gate.  Or so I thought...until Ranger Mike says "Do you want to get a photo with a moose?"

Apparently to be a Baxter State Park Ranger, you also have to be a moose-whisperer - even if it's not really on the job application.  Either way, if I were Mike, I'd add it to his resume.  We pulled over to park when we reached Stump Pond, and sure enough we walked out to find a moose eating his dinner across the pond.  Even with the weather, we stayed to watch him for a while.

Andrew and Jay at Stump Pond.  That brown dot in the background....

Is this guy watching us.  He wouldn't come close enough to talk TSP, though.

It was starting to rain a little heavier, so we made our way back to the truck for our last stop - Togue Gate.  This was the end of the run, so we were here just a little longer than the campgrounds.  I brought Jay and Andrew in to meet David White and Brandon Theriault who were manning the gate that day.  It struck me how they seem to work so well together.  Cars would come and go, and the transition from conversation out to check cars in/out and back to our conversation was almost seamless.  Once there was a lull in their duties, I asked them if they would like to meet Andrew and Jay.  I shared the TSP mission with them, and both Ranger Mike and I were able to share a bit about Jay and Andrew.  I almost teared up when I saw the impact Andrew's story had on Brandon as he realized how close they were in age.

Brandon (left) with Andrew and David (right) with Jay.

They both asked for information on how they could get involved with The Summit Project, and I passed the information along.  I hope to see them on the trails one day excited to share a TSP story with us.

Our road trip through the park was complete, and from here the day was done for me.  I had a 5+ hour drive to go back to Massachusetts.  After such an amazing day in the park, it was difficult to turn my Jeep south on I-95.  But this was a day that would stay with me until the next time I could come back to Maine where I belong.  There were many memories made with Andrew and with Jay - memories that will stay with me forever.  It is my hope that people will wander across this blog, learn a little about Andrew and Jay, and be inspired to learn about all of our fallen loved ones to carry on the TSP mission and show that Maine Heroes Are Not Forgotten.

The Summit Project - Mt. Katahdin

On Saturday, June 27th I took part in a non-hosted hike of Mt. Katahdin.  I am ashamed to admit that even though I have spent the majority of my life in Maine and grew up in it's shadow - I had never hiked the mountain.  I had always preferred sticking to the northern part of Baxter State Park where there were less people.  Heading into the woods for me is about the opportunity for reflection that comes with getting away from all of the distractions - people, technology, everyday life...  The southern part of Baxter State Park is amazing in it's own right with rugged country and breath-taking views - but it also draws more hike/tourists and so it held a little less appeal for me.

I had always thought "Someday I will hike the mountain" but it was never a pressing need for me.  And then along came The Summit Project.  The Summit Project has a goal to do a hosted event Memorial Day Weekend where hikers will carry stones representing fallen soldiers from Maine up to the top of Katahdin.  One of these stones represents SPC Dustin J Harris of Patten, ME.  It's Dustin that brought me to TSP, and it's TSP that brought me to the mountain even though Old Man Winter has not cooperated to give TSP the opportunity to summit Katahdin during the Memorial Day Weekend event.

The idea for Saturday's hike came from Baxter State Park Ranger Mike Winslow.  He was responsible for giving the hiker brief at Twin Pines during the Memorial Day Weekend.  A simple question of "Have you ever seen all of the stones together in one place?", and within minutes he was hooked.  This sparked conversation of assisting with stone transport for him to hike one on Katahdin, which in turn grew into a five person/trip that I was fortunate enough to be a part of.

The weekend started right where the idea for the hike started - at Twin Pines.  As I looked around the table at our crew - Cathy, Jack, Dylan, Mike, and me - I was again blown away at the impact that TSP is having not just on Gold Star Families, but also on the people that become a part of the larger TSP family.  As we shared a meal, we shared stories, laughter... life.  I don't think that will ever cease to amaze me.  We were spending Friday night at a group campsite at Foster Field in Baxter State Park.  We had grand plans of having a campfire and making s'mores, but we had gotten so carried away chatting at Twin Pines that we did little more than crash there for the night.

Saturday started with an early morning wake-up.  I think we were on the road for Roaring Brook by 6am.  Mike acted as the Team Lead (TL) on this hike, and he had planned a day that would take us up Helon Taylor to Pamola Peak, across Knife's Edge to Baxter Peak, and then down Saddle Trail to Chimney Pond and on to Roaring Brook.  This would not only check off "Hike Mt. Katahdin" on my bucket list, but also check off "Hike Knife's Edge" on Dylan's.  What an added bonus to the day!

Gathering our team together at Roaring Brook, Cathy and Jack opted for a hike of South Brother rather than Katahdin due to unforseen circumstances.  They had an amazing hike honoring the lives of SPC Thomas J. Dostie and SO1 Patrick D. Feeks, and they would meet us at the end of our hike.

Dylan, Mike, and I continued with plans to hike up Katahdin.  From the beginning, I knew that this was going to be tough....as we progressed up Helon Taylor, I realized just how tough.  I was hiking that day with the stone of CPL Andrew L. Hutchins.  Dylan Harris carried PFC Blaine Adams.  Mike carried CPT Jay Brainard.  In the weeks leading up to the hike, I had learned many things about Andrew from his father and step-mother, Jeff and Betsy Hutchins.  I had been looking forward to carrying Andrew on a hike for quite some time, and so when the opportunity presented itself - I stepped right up.  I thought of them and the stories they told me as I hiked that day.

From all that I have heard, Andrew was a go-getter.  He was the type of person that was always going to do more than what was asked of him.  Assign him a training task to carry 40lbs in his ruck, and Jeff would visit only to find him carrying 70lbs.  That is just the type of person that he was.  Jeff has said many times that were Andrew able, he would be right there hiking along side us as part of The Summit Project.  I felt him there with us as we went up Katahdin.

Normally I feel tough and strong as a hiker, but whether the reality check was due to plaguing injuries or physical fitness - the hike was tough.  It was also tough not to get distracted by the views once we were above tree line.  Thankfully Mike and Dylan were nothing but patient as I stopped to take photos or stretch my legs.  I kept looking up at the rest of the climb thinking "What did I get myself into?" with a mix of excitement and dread for the rest of the journey ahead.  But with every step the stone settled into my pack and shifted into place like it belonged there.  The physical weight I carried seemed to lessen as I focused more on the story that I carried.  I'd see a view and think of sitting at camp looking out across the mountains with Betsy.  I'd hear a fishing story from Mike and think of Jeff and where the stone had come from.  I'd watch Dylan hiking and think of Andrew's brother, Ben.  It all helped to push me up that mountain.

The first peak we came to was Pamola.  I think Mike planned that for the dramatic effect of reaching the peak - the view across the mountain is hidden right up until you get to the top - then it is just amazing in it's breathtaking beauty.  It's like someone pulled a curtain up and all of a sudden, there it is.  My face still hurts from the smile it gave me.

Pamola Peak looking towards Baxter Peak

We spent several minutes there enjoying the view and taking a few photos before looking out across Knife's Edge.  Knife's Edge was on Dylan's bucket list, and I think it should be on every hiker's bucket list.  It's "only" 1.1 miles according to the Park Authority - but when you're looking from Pamola over to Baxter Peak...it seems like the longest 1.1 miles God ever created.  You can see it here in the background of this photo of Dylan:

Dylan Harris - Knife's Edge Trail in the background.

All of us had an admitted slight fear of heights, but as we crossed the paths of other hikers around us - they probably would have never known.  It's as if the purpose, the TSP mission, was so solidly in our focus that while that fear of heights was still there - it became far less important.  We made our way across Knife's Edge toward Baxter Peak and even sat on a ledge to have lunch while we took in the view.  So much for a fear of heights...

Photo taken by Dylan Harris.

Dylan overcoming his fear of heights.

When we reached Baxter Peak, I remember looking back across Knife's Edge and thinking "Wow - we crossed all of that?"  Even though many have done it before and many will continue to do it - it was still such a feeling of accomplishment.  And it meant all the more to have been carrying Andrew's stone.  Baxter Peak was pretty crowded that day.  Weather is unpredictable in Maine, and we happened to have a perfect day for Katahdin, so many were taking advantage of it.  We decided to find a spot to take a rest and some photos before taking the next step in our TSP journey - the Circle Ceremony.  We found a quiet ledge just down from the peak and settled in for a bit.

Pamola Peak from Baxter Peak

Taking in the view.

Stones of CPT Jay Brainard, CPL Andrew Hutchins, and PFC Blaine Adams. 

 Once the peak had cleared out a little, we approached the cairn at the summit.  This cairn is no small pile of rocks - I swear it is as big as a Christmas tree, and who can blame the hikers for creating it?  Reaching Baxter Peak is definitely worth celebrating.  With the help of a few other hikers, we got some quick photos in before finding a more quiet space to have our ceremony.

Plaque at Baxter Peak

Cairn at Baxter Peak

Our ceremony was done just a short way down the trail.  Unlike most of the ceremonies I have been a part of, this one was very short since we had only three hikers.  Dylan spoke of Blaine Adams's devotion to family and how he always showed up unexpected to spend time with his mother and help her out.  Mike spoke of Jay Brainard's love for Maine and ties to Katahdin and how many things made him feel connected to Jay in his story.  I spoke of Andrew's determination to do more than what was required, the love he had for his family, and the pride you can hear in Jeff's voice every time he shares Andrew's story.  "Pride is no sin.  Always have pride." - A quote from Jeff that has stuck with me ever since hearing it, and I shared it with Dylan and Mike.  We shared a silent moment there with each other before placing the stones back in our packs for the hike back down.

I always find that the hike up the mountain is full of sharing stories and bonding as a hiking team.  We bond through our mission and shared sense of purpose.  And then once the mission is complete, we all fall into a quiet reflection on what we have just done and the lives we have honored in doing so.  This hike was no different, and even though it was a relatively quiet hike down the mountain - my mind was racing through all of the things that I would write about when sharing this experience with the Hutchins family.

After a brief stopover at Chimney Pond to rest our legs, we finished our hike back where we began at Roaring Brook.  Cathy and Jack were there waiting for us - Cathy with her trademark smile and a hug for us all.  We were all exhausted from the day, but we were also smiling ear to ear.  I have never known a closer family than this TSP family, and it seems that with every hike we grow a little more in number.  After a group photo, we all said our goodbyes - off to rest and recover before returning to our daily lives.  But each of us left with the solid knowledge that we had found a little more room in our hearts than we thought was there and our family had just grown more because of it.

I want to say a special Thank You to the families of PFC Blaine Adams, CPT Jay Brainard, and CPL Andrew Hutchins for sharing the story of your loved ones with us and allowing us to carry their stones and stories up Katahdin this weekend.  Although we never knew these men, they have had a profound impact on each of us and will never be forgotten.

For the First Time

This image came up in a Google search today.  I was searching for an "adventure meme" to give me a little inspiration today as I started to work on my application for the Baxter State Park Ranger position.  Such a simple image and phrase - but it inspires a deeper reflection on life in general and how you approach it.  Or at least that is what it inspired in me...

Everyone falls into a rut at times, and I'm just as guilty as the next person.  We get stuck in the day to day, making a living we all forget to make a life.  But what does it mean to "make a life"?  Helen Keller perhaps said it best when she said "Life is either a great adventure or nothing."  But then that begs the further question of "What is an adventure?"

I do not think that to have an adventure, a person has to seek out the most remote areas and venture to some place seldom traveled.  To me, an adventure is as simple as doing something for the first time.  Whether that is something small - trying a new restaurant or something large - a literal leap of faith sky-diving.  It's really about the newness of the experience and what you learn on that trailblazing journey no matter how far that journey takes you.

Those lessons are sometimes a measurable skill, but the more important lessons learned in any adventure are the lessons we learn about ourselves.  A life long adventurer is a life long learner.  So I ask you - When was the last time you did something for the first time?

Baxter State Park - A Peek into the Life of a Ranger

Two weeks ago, my dream job was posted online - Baxter State Park Ranger.  If you know me, this makes total sense.  I absolutely love the outdoors, and I have always been passionate about my home state of Maine.  I grew up close to Grand Lake Matagamon and the North Entrance to the park.  I love the area I grew up in, and I've never quite been able to call any other place "home".  I feel tied to the area in a way that only fellow Maine-iacs understand, and any time I leave, I cannot wait to get back.

Sunset on Millinocket Lake

That being said, when this job was posted - I immediately messaged the Park Rangers that I knew to ask about it.  What would the job entail exactly as a "Supervisory" position?  What was the application process?  How soon would it be available?  After fielding numerous questions, Ranger Mike Winslow suggested I make the trip to the park for a "ride along" with the Ranger Service.  I reacted to this with the same enthusiasm that I had for the initial job posting, and so today I found myself tagging along to see what a day in the life of a ranger was like.

The day started when Ranger Mike picked me up from the bunkhouse at Togue Visitor Center.  I asked what we would be doing that day, and he threw out a couple of tasks that we needed to do - but reminded me that anything could happen in the park.  First we stopped by Park Headquarters so that I could make the rounds and meet the staff at BSP.  Every time I come to Park Headquarters, I find a new connection that I didn't realize I had.  Today was Connie Theriault, and it was great to catch up with her for a few minutes before we had to head for the park.

Growing up, I spent the majority of my time in the northern part of the park.  Grand Lake Matagamon, South Branch Pond, Horse Mountain - they made up my playground as a kid.  But today was spent in the southern part of the park.  Being that I was less familiar with this area, Ranger Mike took a drive to show me around the various campgrounds.  I knew there was a lot at this end of the park, but I guess I hadn't thought about it as much before.  I always got so wrapped up in "home" that I didn't explore this far south in the park.

Our drive landed us at Katahdin Stream Campground where we took up the task of hiking to Grassy Pond to cut down a couple of trees for materials for a canoe rack.  Sounds like work to most people.  Sounds like fun to me!  We ended up spending several hours in the woods with hardly anyone around.  Here was our view -

We ended up hopping in a canoe and paddling around the pond to find a couple of trees that would suit our purpose.  The mosquitoes and blackflies were horrible, but it was such a beautiful day that it was well worth it to put up with them.  Having a civilian running a chainsaw in the park would not have been the best idea, so Ranger Mike took care of that.

Once the tree was down, I got to work on stripping the bark from the logs.  It didn't take long before they were both ready to take back across the pond.  Basically we put them into the pond, tied them to the back of the canoe, and paddled over with them in tow.  Having two on the job made for shorter work, and before long we were packed up and hiking back down the trail for Katahdin Stream Campground.

The rest of the day was spent at a Search and Rescue training - just observing, but it was still great watching the Park Staff train alongside the National Guard's Black Hawk helicopter.  I always knew that they were loud, but I never realized just how loud until I was standing near one about to take off.  It brought out the kid in me, standing there all smiles while they took off to head back to Bangor.  I'm sure more than one of the Rangers around me got a laugh in at my expense...

As I sit here typing this, I realize that the day doesn't sound like much.  We drove around the park checking in with other Park Staff, checking in on Rangers, cut down a couple trees... It was a quiet day in the park, and I'm sure not all days are like this.  But it was a taste of what life should be like - human beings aren't meant to be kept cooped up inside all the time.  We are not meant to be sedentary.  We are meant to get out there, breathe in the fresh air, take up a hiking pack or a paddle and explore.  Life is meant to be an adventure, and I can think of no better place for that adventure to take me than back to Maine. One way or another - whether it's with the Park or in some other way - I am coming home.soon.