The morning was yet another huge climb. We were somewhat bewildered when other hikers passed by without their packs. Turned out Milo slack packed for a bunch of people to the destination of the day, Devil's Backbone Brewery. We missed out and sweated nearly to death up the mountain. Oh well, we are now just even more Bad Ass compared to the slackpsckers. Or at least that's what we keep telling ourselves.
It was a hard morning that mellowed out nicely at the finish. Only 11 miles today. Then we thumbed it down to the brewery.
The Brewery was supposedly "hiker friendly", but we found it weird and not all that welcoming. It must have been designed by people from Bass Pro Shops, with stuffed animals covering nearly every inch of the walls. Gross. The food was delicious but expensive. And although they still offer camping for hikers on site, we decided to check out other places. That was Dinner #1.
Turns out this road we are on has several breweries, wineries, and a cider house too. Craft alcohol is all the rage in America, folks. Jump on board.
We got a hitch from a couple who went way out of their way to deliver us to Blue Mountain Brewing. This place was much more our style, with a band and 100% less dead animals on the wall. That makes it like 100x more classy right there. We got the sampler of their current 10 draft beers and a cheese and meat plate from local farms. Each offering tasted excellent, even if we didn't necessarily like the style. Surprisingly, I loved their shandy, which somehow still clocked in at 5% ABV, and was hopped with cascade hops. Perfect beer for this hot, sunny, muggy, dehydrated day. However, i ended up getting the draft cider because I think it went better with the cheeses. This I consider Dinner #2.
In the parking lot we easily got our third hitch to Wild Wolf brewing from Victor and Caroline. However, they offered to take us to their house for showers and free beers and a bed. WHAT?! Of course we took that offer.
Victor and Caroline just moved here from long island and had just signed papers for a 15 acre farm, the future sight of their farm to table restaurant. So congrats to them and best of luck while you work towards your dream. Amazing.
We drove near the top of a mountain to watch the sun set before heading back to their temporary apartment in the guest house of a nice place right off the trail. Back there, Becca and I showered and Victor made a giant sandwich out of a whole sourdough round. Each quarter was held together not with a toothpick, but with a chop stick! Dinner #3.
I should have taken pictures, but sadly I forgot. Finally, they put us up in their bed, because they tend to stay up way late. Amazingly generous people. If you read this, thank you so much you two!
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