I had spent all of Maine hiking slowly and surely- because those mountains don’t mess around. But now I was about to get into the White Mountains of NH. North-bounders (NOBO’s) relentlessly torment SOBO’s with tales of the White Mountains essentially as soon as we start. Not only are the Whites supposedly strenuous climbs, but also they are unpredictable as far as weather, food, and shelter. Instead of making a plan like I always did, I had to trust that I could make it through and be flexible.
Easily I had one of my most memorable days “on trail” due to this idea of flexibility and because of two of my dear trail friends. Bubbles, Firesale, and myself had started our day thinking we’d be on Mt Washington yet we ended up sleeping on the screened porch of two incredible trail angels. These women took us in, fed us a homemade meal, trusted us to watch their child, asked for nothing in return, and sent us back with a no-bake cheesecake! If I’d been too stuck on my original plan, I’d never have had this day… or the mountain blueberry cheesecake… or met these warm hearted people.