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Our generous hosts in Boston, my sister and her husband (we stayed with them twice - on our way to Maine, and on the trip back).
They were not posing for these shots, I took them without their permission (I superimposed them to get them in the same pic).

Pictures from around the cabin and out on the lake

Tuesday afternoon - hike Sentinel Mountain, Baxter State Park

Wednesday - more pictures near the cabin

Thursday - hike Katahdin, Baxter State Park, the highest peak in Maine (5269 ft). This was a long day - 9 1/2 hours and about 11 miles of mountain trails. But I'd do it again if I got the chance.

Stage 1 - from the car to Chimney Pond at the base of the mountain was a 3 mile hike. We started the hike at about 8:20 AM. This stage took about 1 3/4 hours - fast hiking with few picture breaks.

Stage 2 - Cathedral Trail - 1.7 miles. The hiking got much harder here. We didn't really know what to expect, but I knew it would be steep because I picked the shortest trail to the top. The ranger at the park entrance recommended that we (first time Katahdin hikers) take Saddle trail, but I wanted a challenge. We started this stage at 10:00 AM--the latest recommended time to start a hike to the top of Katahdin.

Stage 3 - Plateau to the peak - much easier hiking. This was a very short stage. We started at about 1:15 PM. What do you think is at the top of Katahdin? You'll have to look at the pictures to see.

Stage 4 - Peak to the top of Saddle Trail - believe it or not, going down is harder than going up, even on a slight descent. We left the peak at about 1:30 PM.

Stage 5 - Saddle Trail to Chimney Pond - 2 miles. Much harder hiking again--getting down is WAY harder than climbing up. The top of Saddle Trail had a lot of loose stones, and it was so steep at the top that I thought I might start an avalanche!

Break time - back at Chimney Pond. We arrived at Chimney Pond again around 3:00 PM just in time to see the sun slip behind the peak.

Stage 6 - Chimney Pond to Roaring Brook camp/parking area. This stage took forever. The trail just kept going, and going, and going...3 miles is longer the second time.

Back at the car at last. 5:40 and high time to get something substantial to eat. But that wouldn't happen until after more than an hour of driving back to our cabin.

I lost my soul on that mountain! Soon after we started Cathedral Trail the sole of my left boot began to disintegrate. By the time I finished, there was a little ledge for my toes and the heal but nothing between. Those boots had served me well (they were about 8 years old).