Date: 2009-07-31
From: Smart's Mountain Firewarden's Cabin

To: Happy Hiker Hostel
Miles today: 20.1

As winter follows autumn and as the descent follows the rise, one annoying day gave way to another. While the unexpected 7470 feet of gain (my third highest daily total ever) made was the conduit for my crankiness yesterday, it was the deep ubiquitous mud which I tried to constantly avoid that made this 4500 foot day so nerve racking. Even the gorgeous sunset observed from the fire tower last night could not quell the anxiousness that built up inside me, knowing that in mere hours the love of my life would be joining me to traverse her favorite mountains on this blue-green globe that we call Earth. Struggling from rock to rock and stepping aside when needed to avoid my feet from becoming soaked for only the third time since I acquired my (now not so) new boots over a month ago, the conscious effort was almost more than this body was willing to take. There would be no lunch today, just snacks and jerky crammed into pockets in hopes of reaching the Happy Hiker before five. While most of my attempts to remain upright were all for the good, one plank got the best of me, and down I went, straight into the mud on my left side. More vulgarities ensued, and a redoubling of my efforts in a vainglorious attempt to show that Mother Nature would not cramp my already trodden spirits. With the shelter a third of a mile of the trail, I had even more incentive to finish this day quickly and with a flourish. Three times a road with a 25 designation was met, first C then A and finally 25 itself. Just down the road I opened the door to the Happy Hiker and sitting in front of me was good old Solo, who had just become a grandfather the day before! Congrats trail-mate. In the back I was greeted with a burger, along with catching up with Jukebox Hero and Double Vision. The day was starting to turn. Grabbing a bunk, I then showered, washing the clothes that I was wearing at the same time, since they were the only things I had on for the last few days anyway. Just as I finished up, someone was going into town, and I went along the five miles to a small but decent store where i picked up a pizza for me and Solo, along with a six-pack of Tuckerman Ale to celebrate the new addition to his family with. All around the common table hikers sat, eating and watching movie after movie. When the night crept upon us, I headed out back to the fire where a local hiker sat playing his guitar. To my surprise he was not crooning out the standards, but playing some eclectic stuff, along with some old school metal. The Iron Maiden and Randy Rhoades solos were interesting on his non-cut-out guitar as I slowly banged my head and sang along, the only one of the dozen or so who appeared to know any of the words. Even the Beatles songs that he played tended to the 'He's So heavy' sort. When he broke into Bowie's Moonage Daydream I was thoroughly impressed. ****I took no pictures today. Today did not matter. It was wet and muddy and a solid twenty miles in eight hours. The shelters were off the trail, and even a hundred yards was too much to give up today. I had snacks in my pocket and if Topo got hungry he better start eating flies and bugs again. He has become to spoiled with ice cream. One single thought held my attention (besides avoiding the worst of the mud). Tomorrow Terri joins me for the Whites. Tonight a shower, a nigh, Moosilauke (do you pronounce the E at the end?). I entered the Happy Hiker in Glencliff and what is the first thing I see? A new grandfather in the visage of Solo. To celebrate I bought some beer when I was given a ride to the store. We shared a pizza and caught up some. Later outside a local was playing guitar. It was interesting to hear things like Iron Maiden and such on an acoustic, and without a cutout even. Others may not have known many of the songs he played, but when my request of Bowie¢s Moonage Daydream began, I was impressed. The proprietor was beginning the 14-hour labor of making pulled pork for a party tomorrow, and there was only one thing that could stop me from enjoying the planned feast, and she was coming soon.