Date: 2013-07-10
From: Pinkham Notch Visitors Center

To: Marty and Jan's in Conway, NH
Miles today: 0.0

DAY 31UNPLANNED ZERO DAYWoke up to no rain. Thank God because I hate packing up the tent in the rain! Nightwalker and I decided to pack up and go over to the AYCE breakfast at the Pinkham Notch Visitors Center. Well worth it. Soon to follow were Slips and Mutt. Much to our surprise later came Cosmo. He had apparently stayed at the Joe Dodge Lodge next door the night before. We thought he was well past us now but obviously not. Nightwalker and Cosmo had hiked together for pretty much the whole state of Maine, or at least the larger portion of it. And now here he was! We all literally spent 3 hours sitting there after breakfast going over the summit forecast for the day and the days following, going over options, staring out the window at the rain, etc etc etc. The weather was supposed to be terrible that day and we would be hiking up Mt. Madison to get onto the presidential ridge. Not something you want to do in bad weather. Although, the weather looked like it would be clearing up the following day leading into the next couple days as well. If you know Mt. Washington and the white mountains, you know you can't predict the weather. Mt. Washington is known to have the worst weather in America with winds clocked at a record high of 231 mph. It has also been known to snow in June on Mt. Washington so therefore, you can't predict the weather. It will change in an instant on you. But it looked to be better the following few days than today so we finally came to the conclusion that it was worth the wait. The NoBo's that had bad weather hated the whites. The NoBo's that had good weather said it was the most beautiful part of the AT. Better to take a day off for good weather than not. So here it was. An unplanned zero. None of us felt great about it but knew it was probably the right thing to do. So now that we knew we were taking the day off what now?? We decided to call a shuttle to head to the bar in Gorham. What else was there to do? Once at the bar in Gotham with beer in hand there was the next obstacle, where would we stay that night? We didn't want to not-so-stealth camp again since it was raining, and we didn't want to spend a fortune staying at the Joe Dodge Lodge.I then all of a sudden remembered the couple I had met on Katahdin, Marty and Jan, and how they had insisted I call if I needed anything when I got in the area. They had given me their number to reach out to them when I was near. I had no idea exactly how far Gorham was from Conway but I knew we were generally in the area. I felt bad calling to ask for their help but once I told the boys there was another option they said I had to call. I knew their offer was super genuine but now I had guests with me. But I called anyways. And much to my surprise they got back to me! It was such great luck. They had just gotten back from a hiking trip in VT that morning! Perfect timing! And thank goodness they said of course they were here to help and would pick us up in an hour!!!I couldn't believe it. I had never imagined such kindness from strangers! Obviously the boys were ecstatic. This was far beyond what they expected we would be doing for the night. Marty then, an hour later, grabbed us from the bar. It was not as close as I thought either. It took at least 45 minutes to get to their place which made me even more grateful that they would come all that way to get us. Also to our luck, Jan is a chef. Holy crap did we eat good. And we were just overwhelmed with hospitality! We all got showers and I was even getting to sleep in a bed We had homemade hummus and carrots while Jan cooked and I mention this because I had never liked carrots in my life. And now, I loved them!! The trail makes you crave and like the most interesting things. You start to miss fresh foods like fruits and veggies. And after our appetizer and talking about the trail, what Marty and Jan did, etc, it was time for the main course! We had pulled pork sandwiches, corn, chicken pasta with saut©ed onions in some incredible sauce, and a homemade assortment of desserts which were zucchini bread, carrot cake, and pumpkin pie. Astounding. I was so full I thought I would pop. AND we ha leftovers for the next day!!! It was so much more than I could have ever asked for. And they kept thanking ME for calling! HahaIt was just amazing. We all couldn't stop smiling. It was such an unexpected, beautiful surprise. Just pure kindness. And all they asked is that one day we give it back. They had done the "Ride the Divide" where you bike ride the entire Continental Divide, and received the same treatment so this was their chance to finally give back. I would certainly do the same when I finished the trail. They were our first trail angels (people who help you on the trail) and this one experience restored my faith in humanity. Thank you Marty and Jan I will give back one day when I'm finished and I will think of you guys!