Date: 2013-08-29
From: Chet's, Franconia Notch

To: Liberty Springs Campsite
Miles today: 2.7

Our little shed slept better than I expected it would. It was a little warm, but it was dry. None of the mice presented themselves as far as I know. I got in the shower/toilet line. The only toilet was in the same room as the only shower. It's pretty amazing that this many people can share such few resources without rioting or even exchanging insults. We hiked out about 6:40, and we headed for the local breakfast joint. Our first choice was closed, so we walked a block down to Flapjacks. The hostess was lovely and helped us store our packs in the front entry way. The place smelled so sweetly of maple syrup candles, it was almost nauseating. They had a model train that followed along a track that circled the ceiling. The first time it passed we all looked up and commented on how "cute" and "neat" it was. A few minutes later, it rattled by again. This time we commented how annoying it was. A few minutes later, we were trying to figure out a way to knock it off its tracks so it would stop rattling by. I gorged on blueberry pancakes, sausage and bacon. All smothered in local maple syrup. After living in the maple syrup country, I'm forever ruined. When we headed out and left the maple syrup smelling bubble, I was immediately met with the stench of our gear. By now the entry way was crowded with a half dozen more packs. A few other patrons were taking photos of our gear all piled up, and I was horrified by how badly it all smelled. It smelled worse than an athletic dressing room. I couldn't help but think having all our packs right at the doorway had to be terrible for business. We stopped by the laundromat to wash our dirty clothes. We tossed our dirty offerings into the belly of the beast. Between the four of us, we actually had a full load. I talked to my parents and Tom's parents, and I exchanged text messages with Tom. His base has been under attack in the last few days, but he is okay. I felt nauseous and helpless and out of touch. I certainly appreciate the distraction the trail provides, but I also feel like I'm neglecting my duties to him, whatever they may be. At 10:30, Sycamore popped in. He said that Miss Janet and her magic van was waiting outside. We quickly threw our stuff in our packs and headed outside. She took her van load of slightly cleaner hikers back up to Franconia Notch and dropped us off. It took us a bit to get sorted, and finally around 11:40 we got on the trail. We laughed and chatted and sung the praises of Miss Janet. She's such a remarkably kind, generous and caring person. She knows more about the trail than just about anyone I've met. I'm so grateful that I've finally gotten to meet this legendary woman. The trail climbed up steeply, but it wasn't necessarily "hard." There were no full-body rock scrambles. There were plenty of rocks to step up on and root & dirt steps to progress higher and higher. There also was a stretch of rock steps that seemed to go on for at least a half mile. Hobo and I climbed along, and our conversation migrated to more serious subjects. There's something about hiking that allows you to open up, and it also makes time fly by. We decided to stop at Liberty Springs campsite to have lunch. Tangy, Sycamore, Badger and Walkhard were all crowded around the spring. We talked with the caretaker, Cam. He's a really nice young guy, with lots of info, advice and warnings of bear activity. I could feel the warmth of the climb seeping out of my body, so I put on my down jacket and rain jacket. You get cold so quickly. Pressure-D and Tough Cookie (previously known as Kathy)came in a few minutes later. The sky had clouded up, and it started to drizzle. I refilled my water in preparation for continuing on, but as we all started conversing, we realized that our chances of a view from Franconia Ridge were getting worse. By now it would be socked in, so even though we'd come less than 3 miles, we decided that we would stop for the day. It cost $8 pp to camp at this site. Hobo and I shared a tent platform though neither of our tents were free standing. So we had to wedge our tentstakes down between the boards. Our tents were so close to each other that our tent corners and guidelines were overlapping. We joked about having separation anxiety. We amassed piles of stones outside our tents in case a bear came by for an unexpected and unwelcomed visit. After they got set up, Pressure-D and Tough Cookie came over to visit until it started to rain. We retreated to our respective tents. I read my book and enjoyed watching the mist stew in and out of the trees. I was a little disappointed not to have hiked farther today, but once I really started to think about it, I was happy to have the time off. I recalibrated my expectations, and realized the blessing of having a day to sit and just absorb it all. Just to sit and listen to the rain falling from the heavens, listening to the woods. I ate a "light" dinner of chips and a snickers bar. Now I feel sick to my stomach. I ate a pepto-bismol for dessert. Hopefully that will settle things down a bit. I can hear Hobo snoozing next door. Oh, we've had some tremendous laughs of late.