Day 9- Logan Brook lean-to to Carl A Newhall lean-to. 7.2 miles

Song of the day:  "Dear Prudence" by the Beatles   
"The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful, and so are you" :)

I woke up around 7:00 in order to start the day- I have to climb up and down 4 mountains today!  As soon as I left the lean-to, it was straight up a mountain for 1.5 miles.  I must say, though, that climbing a mountain first thing in the morning is an awesome way to wake up!  I left the lean-to so sleepy, but once I got to the top of the mountain I was so awake that it felt like I'd had espresso in my camelback rather than water.  I knew that I'd have cell service at the top of White Cap mountain, so the thought of being able to call my mother and Ryan motivated me to get up that mountain pretty quickly.  Of course, once I heard Ryan's voice I cried again- the last time I'd talked to him I cried because I was miserable and in pain, this time I cried because I was just soooooo happy (such a wonderful change!).  I'm such a sap!  Also, I hadn't gotten to talk to my mom since I'd been in the wilderness, so it was absolutely amazing to talk to her.
The view from the top of the mountain was one of my favorites so far- I counted 18 lakes in the distance.  I'm falling in love with the wilderness because of views like this with nothing man-made- just pure natural goodness :).

Faith and me on top of White Cap mountain

French Fry :)

The rest of the day went very very well!  I didn't have too much trouble with the other 3 mountains- my body is so much stronger now than it was a week ago.  The descents were still very difficult on my knees, but it is getting so much better!  Faith and I got to hike with Sticks and French Fry all day, making it a relaxed and kinda goofy day.  We took wonderful breaks at the top of each mountain, enjoying the accomplished feeling of having climbed it mixed with the beauty of it all.  Once we got to the lean-to I found a huge slab of rock to lay out and sunbathe on.  Haha a trail maintenance couple walked by and said "We should take a picture of this to show how hard the trail is!"  Hahaha and the privy at the lean-to did this rocking thing when I'd step inside of it.  It felt like I was inside of one of those rides at the malls and jostle you back and forth.  Hilarious to try to use the restroom like that first thing in the morning!  Tomorrow is Chairback mountain-  I've heard a lot about it, including that its difficulty is more on par with rock climbing than with hiking or trekking.  Actually, there hasn't been much in Maine that I would consider to be hiking, at least not any of the hiking that I've done.  It's all been extremely rugged, uncivilized, harsh, beautiful terrain.  My neck has been sore from staring at my feet so much out of fear of knocking into a root or rock and twisting my ankle.  I'm loving it :)