Day 56- Zealand Falls Hut to Crawford Notch. 8 miles.

Today was a ridiculous whirl of craziness! The day started with us doing a skit during breakfast. The theme chosen was Star Wars. Here's a funny and slightly embarrassing fact about me: I haven't seen Star Wars. I was given the role of Chewbacca and Hans Solo. Haha everyone was trying to teach me how to make a Chewbacca noise in the kitchen and then I went outside to practice. My first few attempts were just hilarious. I sounded like a dying bull. After a little while I figured it out and it actually wasn't too bad! We performed the skit teaching guests to fold their blankets, pack out their trash, and tip the crew and I made a Chewbacca noise at least 4 times. Priceless. We were presented with a hot breakfast and coffee for our efforts and I ate it happily. The hike today was really easy and I was so grateful for the flat trail. We did the 8 miles in a little over 3 hours and then we had to hitch to a trail angel's house where we have been invited to stay for the night. The first hitch we got was from a German couple and they took us about 5 miles down the road. We then got a hitch by a couple from Quebec and they drove us another 5 miles to a gas station. I grabbed a burger and a Gatorade at the gas station and while I was eating my burger an older woman walked up and started talking to us. She said she'd give us a ride to where we needed to go, but she had to run an errand about 10 minutes up the road first. We agreed and hopped in (because our remaining hitch was 16 miles south) and this is where it gets really crazy. Her destination was actually 17 north of the gas station, taking us over 30 miles away from Susan's house. She didn't quite know where she was going, so we had to pull out our GPS and give her directions. We ended up at a carnival where we did some campaign work for her. We were running around the carnival trying to figure out where to put some signs for about 30 minutes. We finally ended up at Susan's house after about 2 hours and I was so thankful to have a shower, laundry, and a warm home available to me. Bomber and I were greeted by her kids and I felt immediately relaxed and at home. Susan got home shortly after from work and whipped up a delicious dinner of beef stroganoff (I need that recipe!). It was so amazing to have a home cooked meal. Susan then took us to a hot tub and I got to relax in it while enjoying a beautiful view of the Kinsman Ridge with the night sky above it. I was in heaven all evening long and curled up happily in a bunk bed hugging 3 pillows at the end of this crazy, wonderful day.