Summer Vacation - Day 9

[up at 0530 (felt good) - packed up and cleaned up my bunk area - weather was much improved - could see Cannon peak and the peaks across the Notch - after another entertaining breakfast production (oatmeal, eggs, sausage), we had some more fellowship time - with the approaching inclement weather, I convinced John, Brian and Eric to go early (0820) - we hiked up Lonesome Lake Trail up to Kinsman Ridge Trail (tough - rocky and slippery) - the fog let off a little, so we could see terrain to the west - then we continued up to the summit of Cannon Mountain (~4200') - weather was OK when Brian and I arrived (1000) but the clouds rolled in, the temperature dropped and the rain started right after that - still had time for a group photo - started down right afterwards - saw the rest of our group and the rain started in earnest - tough going all the way back - I helped Eric make it across some tricky rocks - saw families with kids (including babies and one barefoot boy) during the descent - we tried to warn them not to continue up the mountain, but they wouldn't listen - smh - made it back to hut by 1130 - got the rest of my gear and headed down the mountain alone (after watching several guys jump in the lake - rain stopped and sun came out as I descended - it actually got really warm (after 50-60 degree weather, I was spoiled) - dried off and changed clothes after I reached the bottom (1205) and waited for everyone else - John brought up the rear at around 1245 and we headed south - stopped for late lunch in Ashland (Common Man) - group assigned new trail names (mine was "Straight Line") - John bought me a New Hampshire hat - we drove home via I-93 and then NH-132 when we hit traffic near Loudon NASCAR raceway (it was actually race weekend!) - we had no problems south of Concord - made good time all the way back to Hanover (1805) - got laundry going - shower for first time in three days - helped cleanup kitchen while John cooked dinner (spaghetti) - Katie and kids returned from Maine (Kittery) and we all ate dinner together on the deck - it was broiling hot... - it was fun to catch up on the kids' adventures while I was gone (R5 concert, trip to Boston and the North End, Coogan's Pub, outlet shopping in Maine) - after cleaning up the kitchen, we all watched "Monsters University" afterwards while Brenna and Aria entertained guests in the pool - it started to rain, so the party came inside - I finally was able to reclaim the pullout couch bed around 2300 - fell asleep soon afterwards] [NH 4000 Footer #4 of 48]