Date: 2017-09-01
From: Crawford Notch, US 302/Notch Hostel

To: Serena's apartment in Lincoln
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

9/1Notch Hostel to Serena's apartment in Lincoln.0.0 milesTotal miles:  1844.4The weather on Mount Washington remained problematic, so there was no hiking today.  I got online and checked out the weather cam from the summit. It was quite impressive but no where you would want to be. Ice, low twenties, and high winds are the name of the game today. I talked to Becky, and she told me that she read that the record low for September 1st on Mount Washington is 24 degrees. Today it was 25 degrees with freezing fog. Tomorrow is supposed to be better, and my plan is to get as early a start as possible and push for Lakes of the Clouds Hut. It will be an eleven mile hike over Mounts Webster, Jackson, Pierce, Eisenhower, Franklin, and Monroe, as I walk up the ridge line. I will probably have to hole up at the hut on Sunday, as there is presently a 90% chance of rain. From there, I hope to take two more days to get to Madison Spring Hut or Osgood Tent Site the first day and then to Pinkham Notch the second day. Of course, these days will be dependent on weather conditions. I walked into the kitchen this morning and found two large plates of cookies that Gandalf baked. The price per cookie: one compliment to Gandalf. I rapidly learned that he was hot (from Mona) and that he takes compliments well (from Wolf Dog). I complimented him on his knowledge of Harry Potter. He then informed me that today, September 1st, 2017, is the exact date of the epilogue in Book 7. So today is the day that young Albus Severus Potter gets on the train for Hogwarts for the first time.  I'll bet Kings Cross Station is buzzing today.  I later passed by as Gandalf, who is just shy of six feet, seven inches tall, squeezed into the tiny restroom on the third floor of the hostel. It reminded me of Harry Potter living in the Cupboard Under the Stairs on 4 Privett Drive. The restroom, while small, is not dusty and I saw no spiders. In honor of Epilogue Day, however, I decided to take a picture anyway. The Notch Hostel was full tonight, and Serena, one of the owners, was kind enough to open her apartment for Dancing Bear, Gandolf, and me. Once again, the staff of Notch Hostel comes through in a big way to help me out.  Thanks so much! After settling in, I went for a walk in Lincoln. I stopped at Udderly Delicious, an ice cream store near Serena's apartment. I met the owner, Mary Jo, who had just made a prototype apple crisp, which I ordered with ice cream. It was delicious. Mary Jo also works as an aide with students with special needs, and we had a tremendous conversation about our students and their education.  It was wonderful to talk with someone who understands special students and their needs. Thank you, Mary Jo, for helping to make my afternoon! In fact, our conversation made me so hungry that I then ordered a large chocolate malt. I went back to the apartment and simply chilled until I decided to go for dinner.  There is a pizza shop right beside the apartment, and I ordered a large steak and mushroom sub and a garden salad. I packed everything I could, so I can be ready for an early shuttle tomorrow.  I have eleven miles to go tomorrow to Lakes of the Clouds Hut. Hopefully, I can summit Mount Washington the next day, but the weather is doubtful. The best way to approach this seems to be one day at a time.  I've had a laid-back, enjoyable day, and I feel ready to get back to hiking tomorrow. And, again, Happy Epilogue Day to all the Harry Potter fans out there. May your wands never backfire and your spells always be for the good.