Date: 2009-07-29
From: Hanover

To: Hanover
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Hmmmm. This is strange. After 1732 miles, I am finally enjoying a true zero day. Not before (unless you count the day at the Krooked Board cabin) have I spent the day (sans Terri) in a trail town. The only other non TMax-Day was my stint at Longhaul's. It feels a little strange, like I should be doing something other than washing my backpack (which really started to stink. You should have been sitting in the back of Terri's car when I through it in the back last week) and my sleeping bag (a shout out to the nice lady at the laundry who offered me four tennis balls to use in the dryer) and getting myself a bit of re-supply (no? the 48oz Eddy's ice cream on sale is not really part of the re-supply? Who knew?). now if anyone out there would mind driving up to mt Washington Saturday morning and giving my dear a lift back to me in Glencliff, that would be highly appreciated. So far the prices for shuttles that we have recieved are frightening. maybe even more scary than the um-teen hour shuttle bus ride the AMC offers for a fair price (Terri, on a bus, with all those other hikers all day long, and without me to hold her hand......HAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA).    I have learned a valuable lesson lately. Never camp on grass if you can help it. Few things attract more dew that grass. As soon as I woke this morning and touched anything, the water started dripping everywhere. So I just left it alone, figured out the bus (free!) system around here and did chores, and by the time I returned, everything was dry and hot and humid. Good thing I am not on the trail today. Double Vision and JukeBox Hero where there also, and are now once again headed north, along with Snarl and Bon Bon (named for Audobon, not the candy), Hot Sauce, Cricket, and at least two Tinmans! They allow us hikers to camp on the edge of town (don't get hit by that shotput or discuss), but unless you jump in the river, there ain't nowhere to grab a shower. you would think that Dartmouth would at least have a place to hose us off before we invaded their personal space. Tomorrow I shoot for another 23 (didn't I say my big days were over, and is 23 really a big day anymore) where a cabin on a summit with a firetower will offer me a possibility of fine views. After that I do just about 20 to Glencliff and a hostel and a shower, where with any luck at all I will awake to see my angels face looking back at me (with a smile on it I can only imagine). leaving Vermont was somewhat bitter sweet. It was great to have only one state line left to cross, but the state treated me pretty well overall. a few fine views were to be had, along with one great hiker party and a phenominal weekend with Terri and her parents (the cabin is in Vermont, but we stopped just short of the state line, so do those days count for Vermont?) along with what this year can only be considered minimal rain. We won't mention my return to the land of the BLACK FLIES!!!!!!!!!!!! I have said it a few times, but now I am only days away from Franconia Notch and miles of above treeline, so I need all of you to pucker up and blow away all the nasty weather that you can, because now is the time that will tell if this trip can tip the fun meter back into the black. Terri and views = YEAH!!!! I wish all of you well, and here's hoping that the end of the summer is memorable for all. Miss you. Hope to see you soon....topofgothics