Date: 2015-08-28
From: Galehead Hut

To: Crawford Notch
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: few clouds

In the middle of the night, 3 more hikers came into the hut. They cleared it with a croo worker chilling on the porch and blew up their air mattresses outside. When they came in, a gust of freezing air came with them. They laid their stuff down and were breathing deeply in sleep within a few minutes. When I got up in the morning, the croo was in the kitchen, banging pots and pans and cooking up a delicious breakfast. At 6:30 or so, one of them came out with a saxophone and played us a wake up song. 30 minutes until breakfast- hikers up- gotta set the tables. We all got out of the way and the croo set up the tables for the paying guests. I loved watching them work together- so happy and efficient. They reminded me of my amazing staff at home.When the guests were finished eating, we 8 hikers were invited to dig in. The breakfast was good! I did not have to do anymore work since I washed dishes twice yesterday and they said I could go. I am so impressed with the hut system here in the Whites. The people who staff them always make me feel welcome and they are knowledgable about the area. The soup is good, it is such a treat to just stop in for coffee or water. I am amazed at the presence the AMC has up here, and judging by all of the day hikers alone, let alone thru and section hikers, maintaining this section of New Hampshire is a tremendous responsibility. The trail is pristine and well maintained, and there are many other trails here.I hiked out with layers on, first climb was South Twin Mountain. Argh. Tough climb, big rocks. I was hot and sweaty in 10 minutes and stopped to take my layers off. I hiked alone most of the day, but saw people I knew from early on. I guess I am on an average 6 month track, and it makes me feel good to know I am keeping up! The terrain stayed rocky and the going was slow for several miles. There were no views yet, the mountains were still in the clouds. Lots and lots of weekend hikers passed me heading south. They.Smell.Good. I want to do the hut to hut thing with my family, like many of these folks are doing.I got some views, finally, as the clouds started dissapating, on top of Mt.Guyot. Rocks were all I could see, shades of Pennsylvania. I continued on after snapping a couple of pictures and the trail went down- steep and rocky. I met a guy named High Mileage standing near a long rock slope down. I waited to let him move on becuase I planned to go down that rock on my butt, but he just chatted and hung out. I told him I was a bad ass hiker and he was going to see my technique, then I sat and scooted down 15 feet. Oh well. Guess I can't hide my secret skills forever. I am a poser hiker, not the real deal, and I'm OK with that!I passed a beautiful creek and heard the falls and knew I was getting close to Zealand Falls Hut. The smells from the kitchen travelled up the trail and found my nostrils. I skipped on down, put my stuff on the porch, and went in. They still had soup so I got a bowl and it was good! Potato bisque with dill. Young Guns and a bunch of other hikers were outside, cooking on the ground. I chatted with them for a minute then hiked out. I passed families with kids, kids in bathing suits who had been swimming near the falls I guess. Nostalgia for my kids when they were little took over for a minute- that is such a powerful feeling.After a mile or so stretch of rocky down, the trail leveled out and became smooth. I passed a rocky cliff area with an amazing view, and again felt like I was on another trail. This felt very PCT like. I kicked on the after burners and hiked fast for the next few miles. I was hoping to catch Tedzilla. I was debating a resupply at the country store near Crawford Notch, but when I finally got there, I bumped into High Mileage- the guy who witnessed my shameful butt scooting earlier. He was heading the the AMC Center since it hd a restaurant and some resupply options. I decided to join him- food and phone charging sounded good.We got to the road crossing, had not even crossed it but stuck our thumb out in the direction we were going as a mini van came by. Miraculously, it stopped! Fastest hitch ever! Beth, the driver, offered us grapes and strawberries and dropped us at the AMC Center. We were very sad to learn that dinner was $31. Out of my budget. I bought a beer and sat in the hall, Hobo style, while my phone charged. I was thinking about camping options- where would I sleep tonight? Just then, High Mileage came over and told me with a BIG smile on his face that we had a room, dinner, and breakfast. What!! A woman named Nancy, a longtime hiker, had reserved a bunk room for 6 with meals, and the part of her family that was supposed to take the room could not make it. She said we were in the right place at the right time and gave the room to us. Well, to High Mileage actually, and he shared. It was one of those wonderful unbelievable things that can happen on this trail, when you least expect it.I wanted to go eat, but High Mileage pointed out that clean bathed people were in the dining room and diplomatically suggested that I might not smell myself anymore. I sniffed my armpits and thought...I smell good. But I went and took a shower. Then we ate way too much food from the all you can eat buffet. We were giddy with our good fortune. The blanket on my bunk was a down comforter. I fell asleep happy. D.No and C.Shell will be back on the trail tomorrow. I will meet them at Crawford Notch. She has not passed that stone yet- looks like it could happen on Mount.Washington. Seriously. Hard. Core.