Date: 2014-08-19
From: Hanover, NH

To: Grafton Turnpike / Lyme, NH
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was a lot of fun. We were up at 6am, got our stuff ready for the slack pack, then ate as much breakfast as we could. We jumped in my mom's car and she dropped us off about 3 miles up the road at Dartmouth. We were on the trail and hiking by 7:15. When we walked across the ball fields and into the woods where the trail enters, it looked like tent city! Tents, tarps, and hammocks everywhere. There were only a few people already up. We thought we said Grizz's tarp and Cheesesteak's tent, so we yelled for them. No response. Wrong people. Sorry! We are actually not like by some people on the trail whose names I will not mention because we are a pretty tight group of friends that usually camp together at night and can be pretty loud. For that reason, we usually camp away from anyone nearby. Then, there are the grumpy hikers who just hate us because we are having so much fun. Make friends people! It will make your hike awesome! I have heard this from at least three or four different people who are ahead of us. I think it is great because I am having the time of my life and I would not want my hike going any other way. If you are not having fun and loving life out here, sorry, but you should be. The first ten miles today was relatively flat compared to yesterday which was a nice break. They flew by! I brought three liters of water with me today and had barely consumed one yet. Rock, Pond, and Weatherman were filled up water at the stream right before the climb up Moose Mountain. RW was there as well. I cruised up Moose Mountain flying by a group of day hikers along with two thru hikers with full packs. I know they hated that. I hate when slack packers fly by me as well. I got to the top and saw Steamer! I have not seen him in a few years but I knew he was back out here finishing up his hike from 2012. I ran up to him and gave him a big hug. He is one of the guys who comes to St. Patty's day in Georgia with us every year. It's a great time! We took pictures, talked for a bit, and had a snack. I said bye for a few days after that as I wanted to get to the road where my mom was picking us up at and knew I had one more steep climb today. I ran down the back side of the mountain and stopped to filled up water on the way down at a stream that was not listed in the guide. I crossed the road and then set off up the mountain. I arrived at Holts Ledge very worn out. I had a liter of water and a snack before I started back down. I knew the road was only about 2 miles from here so that was awesome. I ran down the backside as well. I had told my mom 4pm and got to the road around 3pm. I was sitting there waiting for her when I saw Miss Janet pulling out of a drive. She stopped and said walk over there. It is the Ice Cream Man's house! Rock, Pond, and Weatherman were right behind me. We all signed his log book and received the free ice cream he gives all hikers that stop. Such a nice elderly man! Great trail magic. I ran down to the end of the road and got my mom when I saw her pull up as he told me to do. She came up, signed the log as he wanted her to, and got ice cream as well. It was a lot of fun to see her included in something like this. She got to see what trail magic is all about for a minute or two! We all piled back in her car and went back to the hotel. We took showers, ate a massive dinner again, went swimming in the pool, then just hung out all night. We took my moms car down to tent city we had seen early this morning where everyone we knew was camping. So many awesome people in one spot! I was back at the hotel and in bed by 10pm. This slack packing feels like a vacation from a vacation. I like it!