Date: 2013-07-14
From: Zealand Falls Hut

To: Chet's Place - Lincoln, NH
Miles today: 20.0

DAY 35MILES ON AT FOR DAY- 20MILES TOTAL FOR DAY- 21"I didn't feel like a big fat idiot anymore. And I didn't feel like a hard-ass motherfucking Amazonian queen. I felt fierce and humble and gathered up inside, like I was safe in this world too." - Cheryl Strayed (Wild)When we got up we decided to stick around for coffee but skip breakfast. We wanted to do a big day for the whites. We headed out around 6:45am. Not long into our hike we passed by Turducken and Sprout who had tented not too far from the hut. We all hiked together the 7 miles to the next hut, Galehead Hut. We stopped in to see if they had any leftovers and we got lucky. We got pancakes and syrup, hashbrowns and ketchup, and lemonade! I think they were the nicest crew yet. They just kept throwing food at us!We didn't stick around too long after our meal and continue onward. We passed lots of NoBo's, some which were named Wild Rain, Mr Froto, and Tin Man. The day was full of difficult ups and downs but also filled with great views and fantastic weather. I ran out of water around Garfield and wasn't going to have any for another 6 or 7 miles or so. Tough on a hot, tough day like today. Once we reached Mt. Lafayette, we stopped for lunch. We were up on Franconia ridge and it was gorgeous! I didn't know there was another ridge like the presidential a in the white mountains. Again we had those big fat smiles on walking down the ridge. I was smiling up until the thirst started to really kick in.We got to Liberty Springs campsite where I was able to fill up on water. The spring water was nice and super cold. When we got there we decided last minute to push the extra 3 miles into Lincoln for the night. Our spirits were high from the great weather an views despite the fact that we had been hiking so long.So we hiked down into Lincoln going steeply down Franconia Notch for 3 miles only to get no hitch. It was pretty late, almost 8pm so we called for a shuttle. We had heard of "Chet's Place" which wasn't listed in AWOL's guide and decided to get shuttled there.Chet is a trail angel who converted his garage into a bunk room. He lets you shower, do laundry, get water, and stay as long as you like! All donation based. He is an extremely kind and giving person. He got burned very badly in a camping stove accident and now has minimal function in his legs and uses a wheel chair. He was preparing to do his own thru-hike when it happened. Being a previously avid hiker he knows what it's like being out there so he takes hikers in.When we arrived there, there was no bunk space left. Tons of hikers! And much to my surprise a lot were southbound! We met Puck, Moose Legs, and Stinky Jesus. My meeting with Puck and Moose Legs was brief but I got to know Stinky Jesus a little more. He was from California. They had all started in late May. Almost 3 weeks earlier than I had started! It's always nice to meet new southbound hikers though. There were also quite a few Northbound hikers such as Moon Watcher and Shaken. Two older guys and very nice.Since it was late, Nightwalker and I hurried out to get food before everything closed. We got wings and then went right next door to get ice cream. Yum At the ice cream place these two guys Jeff and Eric with their families noticed we were hikers (probably from the smell) and we got talking about the trail. They had done parts of the Long Trail. It was adorable. Their kids couldn't stop asking questions or believe that we would be hiking for so long. As we were leaving they saw Nightwalker limping or doing the "hiker hobble" and offered us a ride. They insisted so we said yes. They were finishing off their camping weekend with their family so try have us left over steaks and potatoes from that evening and even some beer! It was a nice surprise! Once we got back I claimed the couch, since it was really all that was left. I didn't care. Except that that put me in the common area where everyone was talking so I ended up staying up the latest I had yet. Till about 1am Stinky Jesus, Nightwalker, Puck, Chet, and I were up talking. Serious talks too. But it was nice. I didn't get much sleep but got to stay up and converse and learn about the other hikers, something I hadn't done a lot of until now so it was nice