Date: 2015-08-16
From: Lonesome Lake Hut

To: Rt 3 Franconia Notch
Miles today: 2.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night as we were eating, the croo member who seemed to be in charge of us asked if we could move fire wood from the big shed to the small one (no idea why). It would have been nice if they had come up with this plan while we were waiting for our turn to eat and it was still light out! As work for stay chores go though, it was pretty fun. It is possible my contribution (carrying wood in a bucket) did not quite measure up to Cat Man and Weeble Wobble's, (using the wheel barrow) but then they are half my age and didn't seem to mind.Chores accomplished, it was time for bed. I've always known that my NeoAir pad is noisy, but it seemed extra special noisy on the sand and grit of the high ceiling-ed dining room floor. Sorry guys! Aside from the three of us, one guest was sleeping here as well because all her bunk mates were horrendous snorers. At least we didn't pay 130 bucks to sleep on the floor!I was up early this morning and went to the lake hoping to get good pictures, and I did. Not a cloud in the sky and a perfectly calm lake, so the mountains and sunrise sky were reflected beautifully.I learned from one of the paying guests, who is actually a thru-hiker, that she was refused a work for stay because it was too early (2pm) when she came in. Timing apparently really does matter!I had breakfast at the lake with the guys and finally started hiking around 7 am. I only had three miles to go to the road and I really wasn't sure I'd be able to get touch with Heather, but just kept my fingers crossed.The trail was rocky and muddy but not too hard and I came to Cascade Brook quickly. The bridge had washed away so now it's a rock hop or a ford. I had no faith in my rock hopping abilities for this particular crossing, so I waded through. I don't mind it really, the water wasn't even very cold, but it is time consuming to change shoes. I had plenty of time though, as I didn't want to call Heather too early on a Sunday anyway, and if she was coming to pick me up, it would be another hour plus before she'd get there.A little way down the trail I checked signal and was happily surprised it was good enough to retrieve her number and call. She was home and answered and everything was arranged in 30 seconds. After all my worrying about whether I'd be able to get in touch, it turned out to work perfectly.I walked to Flume Visitor Center, which had an actual food court! I got some tea and strategically positioned myself outside, next to the outlet. Road runner (who has journals here for previous hikes) and his friend were waiting for their phones to charge as well and we chatted for a while about the AT, various other hikes, and hiking in general.Heather arrived and we started the long drive back to Vermont. I can't fathom all the driving she did to collect me and drop me off and ferry me around for resupply and such! Once at the house we quickly did laundry so we could hang it outside to dry while we had lunch. This plan worked like a charm. Once I had showered, we went to lunch (burger and smoothie), Wal-mart (sadly out gas canisters), and a supermarket because Wal-mart's selection of 'nutritional bars' was pretty dismal. Then we tried some more places in search of a gas canister, but all in vain. Oh, and pretty much all these places are fairly far away, so that was a lot of driving. I felt better about it when I asked her about the t-shirt she had given me to wear while my stuff was drying. It was for the Flying Pig Marathon, which is in Cincinnati. She drove to Cincinnati, to meet up with a bunch of people, and yes, and to run the 5k that was part of the program. We got back and had a civilized glass of wine on the front porch with Heather's partner Rick, who had arrived home as well. I completely unpacked my pack (not done since I started, I think), put some cuben fiber tape on a few abrasion holes on the bottom, and then organized my food bag. I am carrying five days of food, so that took some doing! The pack, with the food and 3/4 liter of water, weight 23-24 lbs (I couldn't really tell on the scale). Not too shabby!Dinner was delicious homemade pizza with equally delicious made-in-Vermont ice cream (not Ben and Jerry's) and then it was pretty much time for bed, because we were to get up at (wait for it) 4 am. I did not get my journal entry written, so I'm a day late, sorry!Thanks again to Heather for driving across state lines and all over creation and for all the wonderful hospitality! I had a great time!Open map in new windowWant to add a map to your journal?