Date: 2003-08-30
From: Franconia Notch

To: Campsite on the trail.
Miles today: 2.5

start Franconia Notchdestination campsite on trailWe had a couple of errands to run before we left town. I got some heavy duty glue to try to repair my boots. It didn't work, so I am hoping and praying that my new boots will break in without any problems. We drove through several small country towns on our way to the White Mountains. Towns with huge victorian houses and colorful flowers planted in the yards. Town halls and fire departments decorated with American flags and New Hampshire's motto, "Live Free or Die." It seemed like each little town was having a fair or a comunity yard sale. You could just barely see the trees changing to their fall wardrobes as we drove throught the mountains. Then, there in front of us was our destination for the next few days. The Whites, with names like Mt.Washington, Moose Mountain, Peru Peak. Their ridges standing high above us, with white clumbs of cottony clouds flowing like icing down the mountains. At one point during our trip, we came across the biggest turtle I have ever seen in my life. It was on the side of the road, trying toget up enough courage to cross the road, I guess. I told Papermaker to stop so I could get a picture for my grandchildren's picture album I am making them. As I got closer to the turtle, he drew his head in and hunched back on his hind feet. I knew his striking distance was fairly long, so I didn't venture too much closer. There were plenty of moose crossing signs, but we never got even a glimpse of a moose. By mid afternoon, we were at the trail head parking lot and soon headed up to Liberty Campground. The temperature got colder the higher we climbed. The trail seemed to go up and up and up, with no end in sight. There are plenty of rocks to use for steps along the trail. Welcome to New Hampshire!!! I finally came to a clearing just off the trail. This would be home for the night. I knew we would be pushing it to get to the campground before dark, and southbounders had already told me the campground was full. Labor Day Weekend hikers!! I got the tent set up and started dinner. Pretty soon Papermaker and Mudbutt joined me. As soon as the sun went down, the temperature really dropped. We laughed as we blew our breathes and watched the vapors drift away. The ranger earlier had said they were expecting a frost tonight down in town. We hung our food bags and dove into our tents. Snug for the night. I cannot beleive I am in the Whites!! I only hope I am strong enough to hike these mountains. All of the books I have read about the AT always tell about the ruggedness of the Whites, but also of the beauty of these majestic mountains. I feel so very happy to have my hiking hubby to share this part of the trail with me, although before it is over, he may well wish he had of hiked Georgia with me! I am doubly blessed to have Mudbutt back on the trail with me. Her short visit home cured most of her homesickness, and gave the family business a much needed boost of labor from her. Of course, saying goodbye to Carnethy Bob and Chafe was hard for me. They both became very special to me in a short time. I miss them already. The wind is really howling outside and a cold draft flows thru my tent. But I am content. I am back on the trail. I know it will be hard to get out of a warm sleeping bag in the morning. This reminds me of those cold days on the trail back in March. Hopefully though most of the rain here is over. Life is good. total miles 2.5