Orgonon

Date: August 25

Exploration: Rangeley, Maine

Station: Paris, Maine

Height of Land

When we reached the Height of Land, we came out of the fog, and the brightness was like exiting a dark bedroom after sleeping late. In the valley below, Mooselookmeguntic Lake, the largest of the Rangeley Chain of Lakes, was completely hidden by a cotton ball cloud. Over the ridge, Rangeley was awake and bright, and so were the hikers, Adventurous Cane, Rambling Shamrock and Husband (Paul didn’t have a trail name yet!).

Rangeley Lake overlook

I was the pit crew, and I dropped the group off on Route 4 for them to hike the Appalachian Trail to the summit of Saddleback Mountain.  I’d hiked the north side of Saddleback, and I knew how rigorous the trail was in this section. I wished them well, hoping trail conditions would be good. I would pick them up at that afternoon at the Saddleback Ski Resort, where they’d descend the mountain. Until then, the day was mine to explore Rangeley.

Organon

I headed to the Wilhelm Reich Museum at Orgonon to hike institute’s trails and potentially participate in the Sunday nature program going on that afternoon. Orgonon was the home and research center of Wilhelm Reich, M.D., a groundbreaking psychiatrist, psychoanalyst and scientist who is credited with the discovery of orgone energy in the late 1930s.

I hiked the Quimby Brook Trail first, which followed the southern circumference of Orgonon. It took me deep into the forest along old farm land.

A tree grows through a rusty wheel

Quimby Brook

“Peelings, nothing more than peelings”

It was there that I had my first glimpse of autumn, maple leaves warming in color.

First signs of fall

Around every corner, it seemed like perfect habitat to encounter some type of wildlife. I kept my gaze glancing around for moose in the marshy areas, deer amongst the hardwoods, and porcupine up in the trees. I only saw fleeting sparrows, insects and animal tracks until I reached the edge of the field.

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A large, black back poked over the shrubs. I almost wouldn’t have seen it if it hadn’t moved. I halted and tightened Emma’s. Was I encountering a black bear?

Suddenly the creature lifted up. A big mop of red curs bounced over the shrubs before lowering. Just a human.

Wild Maine blueberries

Now on the edge of the field, I could see there were three women blueberry picking. “Hello!” I called, but no one heard me. I scuffed my feet, and my pants swished. Surely they’d heard me, but were just busy. Maine didn’t have the southern hospitality that we’d experienced in Texas and Oklahoma. Sometimes people wouldn’t acknowledge each other in situations such as this.

I was wrong again. The blue-plaid back lifted—and ran two steps. “Oh boy!” she yelled, catching her breath. The other two looked at her quizzically, and she added, “I thought she was a bear!” They all looked at me and gave huge waves.

On the north side, I was still thinking about bear when I came across a cupboard: “Open to see the most dangerous creature in the forest.” I opened it, and there I was in the mirror—well, there was my crotch, and my fly was down! Go, Ab. I guessed that could be scarier than a bear.

At the bird blind, I walked quietly, waiting for tweets, but it wasn’t active with birds like I would have hoped. Not even a sparrow danced around. The only birds I saw were stationary.

Birds of the bird blind

By the Orgone Observatory, I was offered spectacular views of Saddleback Mountain where somewhere my hikers were climbing.

Saddleback Mountain

Saddleback Mountain over Dodge Pond

And, as if on cue, my cell phone vibrated. Paul, Roger and Roni and had reached the summit of Saddleback Mountain, and in great time. I felt relieved that the trail hadn’t been as difficult as they predicted. I wouldn’t be staying for the nature program, but I would be greeting some happy hikers.

One major mushroom: The nature program I’d hoped to attend was about identifying edible mushrooms. I guess I’ll never know about this fellow!

It was time to go pick up my hikers at the Saddleback Ski Area. This meant Adventurous Cane and Rambling Shamrock were around 140 miles shy of completing the Appalachian Trail, just a few footsteps!

“Husband,” Adventurous Cane, and Rambling Shamrock coming down from Saddleback Mountain

Thank you for exploring America with 1,000 MILES!

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© Abigail Austin 2011-2013

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