After a long day yesterday, I had a much better day today. We crossed Saddleback Jr., The Horn, and Saddleback Mountain. I took some good pictures, I hope. The mountains were difficult, of course; but we hiked six miles above tree line which made the hike unique.
We had lunch on Saddleback. As we headed down the mountain, I realized that I left my Kelley hat on the elevation marker at the top of the mountain. How could I continue without my good luck charm? I backtracked, up the mountain, a quarter of one mile to retrieve that cap. Stick and Turtle continued. I told them I’d catch up to them by the time they reached the road.
As I hurried too fast down the mountain to catch them, I had a hard fall. I planted my poles on the rocks below my feet just before taking a big step down. As soon as I lifted one foot, my pole slipped and I face-planted onto the rocks. My right forearm was pinned between the sharp edge of a rock and my falling body. As the fall happened in slow motion, I thought for sure I’d break my arm. I waited to hear the bones crack and split my skin. I luckily escaped the accident with bloody knees and elbows and a wedge of skin missing from my forearm.
I found Stick and Turtle at the highway with their friend, Humpty Dumpty, who had waited all day with his car to give them a ride into Rangeley. He gave me a ride also. I called Don in Stratton to come pick me up. While waiting, I ate at the Red Onion. I inhaled a pepperoni pizza, an order of buffalo chicken tenders, fries, and two beers. The three days had made me hungry.
Don finally came to get me in Rangeley and bring me back to the Stratton Motel. I met Team Steve at the hostel. I’d seen him last night at the lean-to. He had hiked 20 miles north to my 10 miles south, and we both ended up here. Tomorrow we will relax and watch the World Cup finals between Italy and France.
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