Day 8

Mileage: 4 miles 

Elevation gain: none!

Weight of backpack: zero! 

You must be wondering why no elevation gain or backpack weight today? Well, we are not superheroes. We're actually normal people and need a break after seven days on the trail with a 30 pound pack and 5,000 foot elevation gain. 

But first, let me tell you about last night. After arriving at the wrong campsite (we were supposed to go to the opposite side of the freeway), setting up our tent, and paying the camp fee, we were on the search for water. Lo and behold: NO water at this campsite! 

Out of 11 possible campsites, there was us in one and two girls in another. They were about 3 campsites away from us. We stinkedly slivered over and asked them where the nearest water was. The reply? "Across the road". We kept staring at their big, 13 gallon water jug. And as if they could read our minds , or they wanted to get rid if us from our mountain smell,they kindly offered us some water. Thank you so much for helping us! 

This early morning those two "trail runner" Girls came by our camp site and offered us more water to start our day. So awesome!!

A much needed rest today, and why not head into a town that has the word "play" in it.. Right ?

So, there was no better way to play hookie then hitchhike to Fairplay! Amazingly enough, as Pippy was mustering up the courage to stick out her thumb for her first ever hitchhike ride, there to the left of her peripheral vision, she spied a lone backpacker. Naturally, we walked our chatty selves over and befriended the fellow backpacker from Oklahoma, "Eric" or "Okie" as he described himself.

 He was waiting for his friend "Chris" and his two dogs who happen to be heading to Fairplay at that very moment in a car! 

We barely fit in the backseat with the dogs, but we somehow made it work. The dogs weren't too mad. Thank you to Chris and Eric for letting us bombard your dogs' space, giving us a ride, and sharing your hiking tips with us!

Pippy and Hank

Zippy and Kaia, the wounded warrior . Good news is that Kaia was seen by a vet and is going to be okay.

Have you seen the show South Park? Well, apparently the town of Fairplay is where the originators of the show used to live. The kindly folks here are very near to being similar to that show. It is a homey feel and they embrace their uniqueness.

First thing first, we checked into the historic hotel of Fairplay that was built in 1873. We immersed ourselves and almost cried in joy as we took our first shower in four days. Pippy had to force Zippy to get out of the shower. After that magnificent event was over, we strolled down the street and came across the town laundry mat. 

Yup, it's in a house! It was definitely one of the best ways to become a local. 

Except, we didn't fit in very well with our pareos. Every ounce of our clothing was in the wash.

I mean c'mon look at Pippy's outfit. No one made eye contact with her. Not even old gramma Mary Jane would let her share her newspaper. But Pippy didn't care....she was overjoyed with the feeling of clean clothes!!! 

Next, we strolled the 1/4 mile long Main Street and found ourselves in a snack/gift shop calked chocolate moose. Yes, of course we bought some chocolate and met the owner of the store. 

We asked her why she moved to Fairplay,and her response was, "once I saw those mountains I never wanted to leave" . We can see why. 

Fairplay is a beautiful little town with a few historic hotels, and a very cool old mususm town called "South Park City". The Ute Indians were the first to call this place home and live off the land. Once the gold rush began, it didn't take long for mining and railroads to transform this area into a thriving community in the 1860's. The Main Street has been preserved and restored to maintain the lifestyle of that era. 

Pippy posing in front of the old town. You pay a small fee to enter and walk through all the old buildings. Totally worth it 

We met a lounging cat at the old Saloon. We were very happy to see a cat in the land of big dogs! We haven't seen a cat in weeks! Made our day!

Zippy ordering a gin and tonic...

Walking on the old town boardwalk. And yes it's cold and yes we're freezing. Us Hawaii people don't yet understand the every changing temperature range of the day. The pouring rain and whipping wind storm had just ended. 

And the view of the modern town looking down from the old town. Imagine 1,000 black leather jackets, bandanas, slicked moustaches, tight black jeans, and Harley Davidson motorcycles lining this street. The "Ladies Run" just so happens to take place tomorrow on this Main Street. Motorcycle riders from all over will come and have a huge block party! Stay tuned for a picture if we are around to people watch tomorrow. 

We will be hitting the trailhead beginning at Kenosha Pass and hiking for the next three days to Breckenridge (where we will get a massage for our hardwork). Can't wait! So until then, aloha!!!

 And thank you for everyone's amazingly motivating comments! You guys are the bomb! It keeps us going! What wonderful friends we have:)