Caratunk to Pierce Pond lean-to. 4 miles

Today was a completely easy, beautiful nero day. I was planning on hiking 10 miles to a campsite, but once I got to Pierce Pond there was no was I was leaving. Haha what Maine calls a pond is definitely more like a lake and this one is so gorgeous. Also making me want to stay was the fact that I was having trouble hiking today. My pack and thoughts were both extremely heavy. Haha a NOBO at the lodge in Caratunk picked up my pack to feel its weight. All he could muster up to say was "God bless you and your family". Hahah it's way to heavy for me! Naturally, I have disliked each time that I have had to pick it up. I think at its heaviest it weighs around 35 lbs, but at my weight I should be carrying around 20-25. While hiking today I came up with a few ideas to make it lighter. One of them is to do cold food through southern Maine and the Whites. That way I'd be able to drop my fuel, my pot, and my stove.  I'm also going to drop my Keens for a bit and go with a cheap pair of flipflops.  I cannot wait to get this extra weight off my back!
I hiked most of the day with Mosey. It was very enjoyable and there was an added depth to the conversation, probably due to my lack of cheer.  Mosey went right along with my mood and found a way to comfort me by just being there.  I found a swimming hole right beside the trail and was a bit hesitant to go for a swim since we had so many miles left to do that day. Mosey looked at me and said that he was going to swim and that was all the arm-twisting I needed!  I quickly set my pack down, took my shoes off, and hopped in the water.  I was content for the rest of the day from that moment on. The water was a perfect depth, temperature, not moving too quickly or too slowly, and there were absolutely no leeches! = amazing!
I arrived at Pierce Pond lean-to in the early afternoon and was just taken aback by how beautiful it is.  While admiring the beauty, I had a deep feeling of grief for the loss of a fellow hiker.  I never got to meet Parkside on the trail, but I sat by the water and spent a lot of time thinking about him, his hike, and imagining what he could've looked like.  Even as I'm writing this, behind my right scapula is going numb because of the grief.  My heart and love go out to his family, who will be coming here soon. 
Some NOBO hikers are staying here tonight too: Jackrabbit, J.C., Grumpy (whose name I accidentally heard as "Gropey" haha), Steve-O, Pretzel, and a few others. We all played UNO and had a nice fire going. I pitched my tent at the perfect campsite down by the pond. It is supposed to rain tonight and I am not sure how I feel about sleeping so close to the pond, but I really want to sleep alone tonight.

Tentsite at Pierce Pond