Date: 2006-07-07
From: Lakes of the Clouds Hut

To: Town and Country Inn
Miles today: 14.8

Got up around 6am and was packed and ready to go by 7am. I did however make a stop down in the dungeon to see if Pop-tart and Ridge Fungi were up, they have to get going early so they can meet her parents at a descent hour.I could have started hiking early but it was socked in and I also wanted to write Keri a postcard from on top of Mt. Washington because they have a Post office up there which opens at 9am. So I hung out at the hut for a while and ended up eating breakfast with the staff because I was a work-for-stay.So it cleared up and was late enough so I started out for my summit of Mt. Washington. the climb wasn't bad at all but the view was less than spectacular. The whole peak had buildings and things of the like clogging all the views. Very anticlimatical.So there was a snack bar and gift shop so I went in there and huge around for a while. I ran into Pop-tart and Ridge Fungi while I was there and felt God calling me to treat them to lunch, so I did, and I loved doing it. I had heard that they were low on cash so I relaly wanted to help them out. I told them that God had blessed me so I was just passing it on. So we ate and talked and I got to know them a little better. I like them a lot, very friendly.So late, they took off and I hung out a bit longer inside. I bought a postcard and filled it out and sent it off. I also bought T-Lar a shot glass and also got Keri and the sisters each one of those flattened penny things that put an image on a one side.So eventually I got going again. I"m really enjoying this section of the White Mountains. The views have been amazing and the weather has been perfect. Sure the initial climbs sucked and I never want to do them again, but the Presidential ridge line has been worth it.So eventually I made it to Madison Hut with Pop-tart and Ridge Fungi showing up after me, I passed them on the way there. They told me, since I was faster, to tell her Mom, Dad, and Uncle who were waiting on them at the bottom of the mountain, that they were on their way. So I took the message and ran with it. I left the hut around 3pm with about 8 miles ahead of me, which included a climb over Mt. Madison.You see, today I met dadd Washington. He was kind of cold towards me like any father would be towards the guy seeing his daughter. He just acted all rough and big towards me. but what I didn't account for was the ugly uncle of whom is Mr. Madison. That old man was jagged and mean! But I just put him in his place and had enough of that. The girlfriend, the White Mountains, and I got along a lot better today, only received a slight cut on my hand. I think our relationship is improving.So I passed Lumbmac on the way down and he wanted me to tell him wife that he'd be down by 8pm. I truly am the messenger. So about .5 mile away from the end I ran into Pop-tart's parents and Uncle and gave them the update. We talked for a bit and I enjoyed meeting her family. They too were very nice.So I then went out and found the guys hangin' out. We all just joked and talked for a while, guys being guys. I almost got Tom to bet me that I could get to Gorham tomorrow or not. He knew better and declinded the bet. He said if I was crazy enough to go down to the Dutch Haus then I'd for sure kill myself just to get to Gorham, and he is right. I also told the guys today that I mooned the cog railway, kind of. It was past met but I mooned it for traditions sake. Supposedly through hikers moon the train because it is an eye sore, and then the conductor throws a piece of coal at you. Well, no one saw me do it, but I did find a lump of coal on the ground.So tonight, after I'm done waiting for Pop-tart and Ridge Fungi with her family, I'm gonna find myself a place to stealth camp. Not really sure how this is gonna work, but we'll see.coconut cakes x4, pancakes, pinapple---cheese, peanutbutter---veggie chicken ramen noodles x2, chicken ramen noodle---bacon cheeseburger, fries, long trail ale