Date: 2016-07-24
From: Eliza Brook Shelter

To: Lincoln, NH
Miles today: 8.8

The brook was much more tame this morning, so I was able to rock hop with the help of another hiker, only getting one foot wet. Heading up South Kinsman starts off fairly gentle along a creek and quickly turns into a vertical rock scramble. For the first time of my hike, I had to stow my poles to climb. At the top, I took a break to catch my breath and dry my socks and shoes (the boardwalk around one of the bigs was completely underwater and I sank to my ankles). The view was amazing and clouds whipped by me on either side, obstructing the view of the valley below from time to time. I then headed across a short ridge line and summiting North Kinsman before descending to Kinsman Pond and catching my first up close views of Franconia Ridge. I ate lunch by Kinsman Pond and watched the wind make patterns of glittering water and dancing lily pads and the clouds spot the trees beyond with shade. Afterwards, I stopped by Lonesome Lake Hut and ran into Bumble Bee, who was waiting for me to hitch with to Lincoln. The bridge over Cascade Brook was out, and many people (myself included) had difficulty crossing it. Someone had to grab my pack to help keep me from face diving into the water and I held another woman's arm to achieve similar results. I decided to take off my socks and shoes to cross. When I arrived at the other side, I discovered my phone was no longer in my pocket. I kept my cool while Bumble Bee went back to look for it. She came back empty handed, so we just headed in to the parking lot. I didn't get too upset and was able to make light of the situation, which is HIGHLY fucking impressive given the situation and my history of emotionality. We ran into a young guy (Mike, not Micheal) out for a day hike who offered us a ride into town. We followed him back up the trail and then down a side trail to his car, from which he lived (not literally, but damn...it took a good 5 minutes to clear two seats for us). Mike had a little gurmtar which I strummed along to, then tossed aside so I could dance to the music he put on the radio. We passed the Cog (the train which takes people to the summit of Mt. Washington) on the way into town, and I managed to complete many of the trails random "challenges/dares" with my bare ass hanging from the window as we drove past it. We were all in tears laughing and Mile thanked us for the most memorable hitch ever when he dropped us off in town. On the way to the stealth hostel, we stopped and cheated with some residents and former thru-hikers hanging out in their back yard. Bumble Bee secured a ride back to the trail the next day and I eventually bought a temporary flip phone (sad face...I couldn't even text! Okay, I could, but using old school T9 technology!) I eventually broke down and cried for my lost phone when I realized it contained the only copy of a few poems I had been working on. PS"A shooting star!" -Cold Taters"Make a wish!" -Hestia"I don't know what I'd wish for; I have everything I need." -Cold TatersThe trail (aka "life") can be vicious and cruel, but is ultimately beautiful in its own intricate way. Even the ugliest parts have an endearing quality. Climbing up or sliding down rocks, walking through hail and lightning, walking through snow: you feel stronger and more agile, you are able to seek shelte and change into dry clothes, you are able to survive emotional breakdown after emotional breakdown. Grwat adversities are ugly ducklings which eventually grow into confidence in yourself, faith in others, and (most importantly) a sense of calm in knowing it all works out in the end.