Date: 2009-08-26
From: Wildcat Mtn, Peak D Tower

To: Whitefield, NH
Miles today: 18.1

August 26 --A wind blowing hard all night long, waking me often and I peeked out to see Mt Washington Observatory lights burning, and the familiar brilliant stars. It was one of the most memorable nights on the AT and the sense of finishing was strong among us without talking about it. I could feel our confidence with the big Whites behind us, staring at them, not conquered, by visited, having first known them by reputation, met them, spent time with them and now leaving them like new friends, now lifetime friends and going through that with thru-hiking friends from the earliest days was perfect, and fitting, and it went for me well beyond the build up, and I felt if I now needed to quit the trail, it would have been enough, but that was not the plan as I looked forward to the next peg and final peg that lies far ahead with many steps in between, and I remember having the same feeling I had experienced when reaching Damascus. At Neels Gap I was told by the big guy, who I had again seen recently at the hostel in Glencliff, "Don't worry about miles, just get to Damascus then the miles will come in the VA lowlands," and walking out of Damascus I felt somewhat lost, goalless, "0k, I made it, now what?", and glaring out at the Presidents, I similarly thought, "I made it, what now before Katahdin?" I arose predawn to photograph everything from all angles, including the 2 sisters "cowboying it", taken from the roof of the abandoned maintainence building. Soon Juice and Momallama were rustling their gear for their early start, joined by the more efficient Nature as I returned to the tent for breakfast. The day's plan included Carter Dome, 4832', and several Carter peaks and Mt Moriah, 4049', before Rattle River Shelter, but in the back of my mind was US2/Gorham, 2m past, and a call to Marty. After Wildcats C, B & A, I stopped at the Carter Notch Hut, the last hut and was met by hutmaster Alex, who asked if I wanted pancakes, "Hell yes!", he had extra batter I'd have to wait while he made them, "Even better!" and finish this cream of wheat if you'd like, coffee too! Jackpot! Then Alabama Grits arrived and we split all that Alex offered. It turns out that Alex was crooing at the Lakes of the Clouds when I visited last year, I knew that he was familiar. The 3 of us had a nice break while we sampled his lunch for the only 6 guests that evening, 4 last night, before leaving separately, A. Grits sooner. I heard the familiar Jumar barking and met them 3 minutes from the hut where they were headed for break. The climb up Carter Dome, was a nice ~1500' followed by up/downs, then up Mt Moriah, the final White Mtn, ~800', before the long ~3200+' descent to US2. Alabama Grits was at the Rattle River Shelter, tent up, otherwise I would've taken him with me, I was tired, and pushing, and my feet were sore on a long day, and I arrived at US2 to hitch toward Gorham about 19:30, sunset, walking about 1m to the Mt Washington B&B where they were kind enough to allow use of their phone, and where I reached Marty, neighbor and friend, and now trail angel, said he would be right there, a 40 minute drive, I had to borrow his house key, arriving at 22:00 to be ready for pickup at 6:00 in the morning. Laundry, shower and food, etc kept me up until after 1:00 when I set the alarm for 4:45.