Day 143 – Labor-Free, Labor Day

Hot feet and I got up around 8:00 a.m. and decided to take a zero day. Josh and his wife made a fabulous breakfast for us. We had bagels, bacon, eggs, and fruit with their three kids and parents. Hot feet and I, the hungry hiker trash we are, took care of any extra food not eaten (although we did have some competition).

Josh’s mom, Cindy let us borrow her car to run errands in town. We stopped in at Lahouts, the oldest ski store in the country apparently, and I picked up a pair of Altra Lonepeaks. My Hoka speed goat 5’s had rips on three of four side walls after less than 150 miles. An attempt to return them for credit will be made (wish me luck).

Afterwards we explored the Littleton Main Street area. We had beers at Schilling Beer Co. I had their Moonship Gose which was really good. Later we checked out a bookstore, and then a coffee shop for ice cream. Hot Feet and I exchanged stories about tumultuous ex-roommate experiences we had in college.

Hot feet also serenaded the townsfolk of Littleton with his piano playing. He’s actually very musical talented; he plays piano, guitar and also carries a recorder/clarinet type instrument with him on trail. You should also hear him sing Bob Dylan songs (you really should). We finished off the chores with a smallish food resupply and McDonalds for the second time in less than 24 hours. We arrived back around 3:00 p.m. wiped and both took an afternoon nap.

Dinner was probably the best part of our zero day. Josh’s family made corn on the cob, baked chicken, bread, salad, and watermelon. We ate on their back porch and talked until well after dark. They have a beautiful view of the Presidential Mountains in the distance behind their property.

We heard coyotes howl in the distance for a portion of the evening as well. We talked about movies and how Hot Feet had never seen a Jean Claude Van Damme movie before. Also discussed was how COVID affected everyone job-wise, Josh and his brother are both in the medical field as well. Lastly Hot Feet put everyone to sleep explaining how Exxon decides on sites for oil drilling exploration (yawn).

Tomorrow we have plans to tackle the wildcats which boast the steepest mile on the whole AT. It will be sad to leave but it’s been a truly wonderful experience catching up with Josh these last couple days.

Stow away in my pack for Day 144 on the Appalachian Trail.