Day 32: Boom House to Umbazooksus West campsite

We woke up at 5am to John informing us that “the river is like glass!” Instead of resuming what was planned to be a rest/rain wait-out day, we packed up with lightning speed and paddled out to where the W. Branch empties into Chesuncook Lake. 

There, the lake was far from glassy, but we pushed on against the rolling waves as they slapped us broadside, determined to make some headway this morning. After giving it our entire effort, we arrived safely at Longley Stream campsite just north of Gero Island – still on Chesuncook Lake. Exhausted and only about one mile from where we started the day, we wearily set up a tarp and dry line to hang our wet tents out, which didn’t take long with the wind and fleeting sun. 

Ben decided to make “muffins” using Betty Crocker just-add-water mix that we’d picked up in Jackman and the JetBoil. The results were mixed, to say the least. Around 10am, with no end in sight to the gusts of wind, Ben bushwhacked his way to a nearby logging road that would take us to a campsite in the northeast arm of the lake, setting us up for an easy approach to Umbazooksus Lake the next day. 

Seeing no other option, we hauled our bags and boats through the dense, wet brush to the road. As I was shedding my raincoat, I lost one of my earrings in the dense grass covering the path. I was in despair over the situation (but more so about the portage ahead). Somehow, Ben managed to find the earring after several minutes of searching. 

Getting creative with the JetBoil, with questionable success

Forward progress by any means necessary, especially when it involves a scenic walk

The logging road walk ended up being quite beautiful, with yellow flowers lining the path and wild strawberries in abundance as we made our way through the rather desolate post-logging landscape. A few miles in, a grouse with a flock of young nearly flew into John’s head when we got too close. 

To top it off, the rain ceased just as we began our walk, and when we arrived at the Umbazooksus West campsite, it was hot and sunny for nearly the entire afternoon. Parked at the end of the driveway leading to the site, there was a quaint tiny church (on wheels!) that we stopped to visit. Everything about it was constructed thoughtfully, and it was comforting in a way to see it out here, many, many miles from a town or community. 

We read and napped for the rest of the day – maybe this is our rest day, partial at least? The winds can’t keep us from moving, even if it takes us *all* the way around by road. 

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Next entry: Day 33

A tiny church! On wheels! In the middle of the Maine woods!