Day 36, Lafeyette and Chet's

August 16

373.1 down, 1812.8 to go

We got an early start leaving Galehead hut, out by 6:45. We had the most awesome time playing the song game with Mudslide. Rounds included 90s pop, classic rock, Disney and Christmas (guess who won that one?) A little over two miles in, we said a sad goodbye to Mudslide, who was going slightly slower than we needed to go to get to Lincoln in time to make it to the post office for a mail drop, 13 or so miles.

Lafeyette was an amazing view. We got to the top and were out of the tree line for two miles. It was super windy, probably 40-50 mph. Down the hill, we had a pretty solid pace going until I tripped and landed on my kneecap. I winced in pain and stretched my leg. It wasn't as bad as it sounds, just a few scrapes.

We made it to the road and tried our hand at hitching. Luckily, there was an AT sign right over us and we had our backpacks. Perfect conditions, it took less than a minute. A business man pulled over in a brand new Acura SUV, leather seats, still smelled like new car. He told us to just push his briefcase and papers in the back aside to make room for our backpacks, which were by no means clean. He told us he felt for us, he had hiked in the past and had a hard time finding a ride. He dropped us off right in town. Neither of our packages had arrived so we did what any thru hiker would do, spent $30 at McDonald's. we hadn't had it yet on the trail, so it was good!

We met Cusie, a SoBo who was heading out of town. He told us about Chet's, a man who ran a hostel out of his garage, but it was not listed in the book. We weren't sure if it was a legit place, we'd heard about it earlier on the trail from a hiker who stayed there in 2009. He told us to just ask around when we got in town, he couldn't remember the name.

When we got there, Chet interrogated us with a ton of questions on our hike. After we couldn't answer one, there was an awkward pause and he laughed and told us to come on in. Phew, we passed! Chet told us we could do work for stay and pitch in a little for laundry and shower. What was the work for stay? Pick up after yourself. Not bad!

The place was packed! Probably 15 hikers. Chet is absolutely awesome. He doesn't want to be listed in the books, he's done this for 20 years by word of mouth and it works for him. He's got such a giving heart and is hilarious. 

With Mudslide, before parting ways

NotYet loves the way his mustache is coming in. He's considered using pine sap to twirl it with. I didn't like the idea of a bear coming into our tent at night to eat his sap filled mustache. 

At the top of Lafeyette. Super windy! Notice my braids blowing in the wind.

After eating at McDonald's.

Chet chatting with hikers.