Parents are always setting imaginary lines and kids are always crossing them. Today, however, we all crossed a much more interesting imaginary line: the forty-fifth parallel. Just before reaching the top of Spaulding Mountain we all found ourselves exactly half way between the equator and the North Pole. Thankfully, we’re much more than half way between Springer and Katahdin.

Other interesting imaginary lines we crossed today include the property boundaries of the Orbeton Stream and Crocker Mountain conservation projects on which I’ve worked as a board member for the Maine Appalachian Trail Land Trust. The Crocker mountain piece, which was purchased last year in conjunction with the State of Maine and the Trust for Public Lands was the largest addition to the AT corridor since the push toward public acquisition in the 1970s.

Moreover, we crossed the line that marks the last section of the AT to be completed in 1937, finally linking Georgia and Maine by a single continuous footpath.

Today included some steep ups and downs as well as a couple of scenic stream crossings and waterfalls. Cartwheel, RobinHood and Little John all weathered the miles admirably, then conched out for a welcome early night.