Thoreau Spring on Mt Katahdin

 Thoreau Spring, found on Mt Katahdin, is a significant spot on the 2,000 mile AT.

Here is a decayed image from 1974 with Katahdin the the back about a mile away.

and one after using GIMP

Gotta' work on the sky next.  But that might take a while since I need to learn the software.

Now for the topo history of the Spring (and yes, Mt. Katahdin) see the USGS. The first is 1927:

Next we see 1930 printed in 1939:

And then 1949 printed in 1967:

And the same year print in Color:

And the most recent topo from 2021 (and no Abol Trail?):

So the spring changed names in the1930s

For a history see this paper.

Whitcomb, Howard R. (2015) "What Happened to the Thoreau Spring Plaque? The Story of a Maine Landmark's Two Names," Appalachia: Vol. 66 : No. 2 , Article 6. Available at: https://digitalcommons.dartmouth.edu/appalachia/vol66/iss2/6

From another source we see the history:

"Thoreau Spring Plaque

In 1846, Henry David Thoreau ascended from a nearby campsite on the West Branch of the Penobscot toward what is now known as Baxter Peak. Thoreau’s subsequent writings about his experience on Katahdin and in the Maine Woods had a great and lasting effect on people’s view of the region."

" The site of the spring at the junction of the Abol and Hunt Trails was christened “Governor’s Spring” in 1925 and demarcated by an engraving on a rock near the spring. "

"In 1933, Baxter completed the purchase of the first parcel of what would eventually become Baxter State Park. Baxter directed that “Governor’s Spring” be renamed “Thoreau Spring” and that a plaque be installed in a location near the spring. "

Source

another great source is here.

Jug End, Massachusetts

 Arrived in Massachusetts on the 10 of June 1975.  Camped at Jug End Spring (super powerful).  Here are some 2021 pictures of the area.  It is now off the trail since the relocation takes it off the roads.

Oh yeah, no rain on this date, or yesterday!!  About 23-24 miles to Tyringham tomorrow.

Water Temperatures along the coasts

Summer time means beach time.  So where can you find ocean temperatures that won't freeze your @#$% off?  NOAA to the rescue.  Sixty-eight degrees F at Woods Hole, and a balmy 76 deg F at Ocean City Maryland.  And of course 84 in Miami.  But take that with the air temps and humidity too.

For a global view, see this.  Notice how North Carolina changes the Gulf Stream.

Water Scarcity impacts 4 Billion People

We take water for granted.  I mean we drink it, we use it to shower, and wash the car.  And we even water our gardens with it.  And best of all, we can play in it.

And get this, people are willing to pay $2 for a pint of it!

While this is all true, 4 BILLION people are threatened by the scarcity of water.  Read this news report for info.