Date: 2010-08-13
From: Glencliff, NH

To: Mt. Cube
Miles today: 13.0

"All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better." ~ Ralph Waldo EmersonAugust 13, 2010 ¢ Day 131 - FridaySpent the first part of the morning talking with hikers and having wild berry pancakes. Mala and Tucker Dog were at the hostel and I had to go over and thank Mala for his magic, what he calls "Malafied".Out the door, Red and I are again SoBo with a NoBo mentality. Both Red and I had difficulty going south as we would read trail signs and the AWOL¢s AT Guide. The one good thing about going SoBo is we ran into many of our NoBo friends that are ahead of us. The surprise on their faces as we approached each other was priceless. There are not really a lot of NoBo hikers within several days. That is a good thing going into the White Mountains. Space is limited at the huts and shelters especially with all the turions (hiker talk for tourist).Red and I came to NH Route 25A and I remembered a deli in Wentworth, NH that was very hiker friendly. It was mid afternoon and a cold drink and sandwich was on my mind. I told Red I was going hitchhike into Wentworth and asked if she wanted to go (I was hoping she would, since hitch hiking with a female always gets a ride faster). Within 10 minutes we had a ride that took us right to the door of Shawnee's General Store. The store has a great re-supply section for hikers. The deli is also good with inexpensive grinders to fill the void of the bottomless hiker stomach.It was hot outside just enough to have a mini midday melt down. I bring this up because I saw a bunch of people laying and sitting alongside a river in bathing suits as we crossed a bridge just before the store. Heading back to the trailhead, Red and I crossed the bridge and sure enough there was a large pool surrounded by rocks with people swimming. That was all I needed. The water was crystal clear, cool and refreshing. The pool itself was large and deep. One of the many swimming holes that I have found on the AT. Red talked with several ladies and found us a ride back to the trailhead when we were ready.The time spent at the swimming hole cut short our hiking time to Hexacuba Shelter which turned out to be a blessing. SoBo hikers were telling us water at the shelter was not good. I told Red to fill extra water bottles when we crossed Brackett Brook.We summit-ed Mt. Cube in the late afternoon. The views were great and we had a great opportunity to witness a beautiful mountain sunset from a summit. Red and I found our individual bivouac. I found a great place under Balsam pines surrounded by rocks. The ground was soft from the pine needles and I was tucked in so well the wind was howling above me in my protect liar.The sunset was a splendid display of orange and pink clouds, with the orange ball of the sun playing hide and seek in the purple clouds just above the mountains. Within an hour after the sunset the stars started to come out in the clear skies. By dark thirty the heavens were full of twinkling lights. Falling stars would streak across the sky in a golden flash from the sun below the horizon. I fell asleep on the rock ledge as I was gazing. During the night I woke up to see a meteor shower dazzle the night. I went to bed relaxed with the memories of a beautiful day.If not now then when? KrispyKritter 2010 GaMe