Facing Granite

Chris called to give an update:

They hiked 15.9 miles yesterday into Lonesome Lake Hut.

They did work for stay....(thru-hikers only) at Lonesome Lake Hut. Jack got kitchen cabinet cleanout duty and Chris got the pleasant task of cleaning out the freezer. In exchange they got free accommodations and food remaining after paying guests had eaten. They got bowtie pasta and vegetables among other things. They also got to sleep on the dining room floor, as is usual for work-for-stay guests. Everything was clean and certainly well-protected from the elements.

Today they hiked Mt. Garfield, Mt. Lafayette, Mt. Lincoln and Franconia Notch. There were over 200 people, mostly day hikers at Franconia Notch. Someone told them that the weather conditions were among the most beautiful than they have been at Franconia Notch. The weather was "perfect." It is known to abruptly change or be overcast. The sky was clear blue. They have been so blessed by the weather this summer. Truly unbelievable. In thanksgiving to Divine Providence.

Today they hiked 15.9 miles. Chris noted that he can feel his knees this evening due to the high steps they have to take in order to scale the granite-faced mountains. They are not using their hands that much....so they are in good shape in that regard.

It was going to be another hut this evening. Destination reported on a future date....
Thoughts of joy and wistfulness are mingling together as they realize they are less than three weeks away from Mt. Katahdin....if all continues to go as planned. From my current calculations, they need to average about 18 miles per day overall to finish in 100 days.

How quickly the summer is flying by! Here's to enjoying every day, in every season, no matter where we are, or what kind of weather it is!