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The team arrived in Phadking shortly after 4:00 PM and slogged through the tiny village to a handsome three-story cut-stone building with red shutters at the northernmost edge of town. The building was “The Red Rhododendron Inn” and it was one of Frank’s favorite teahouses, ranking just behind the Juniper. Not surprisingly, it was also very popular with the rest of the trekking companies. Its spacious rooms and hot showers along with the large deck overlooking the fast-flowing Dudh Kosi River made it the last of the cozy homes for quite some time. Knowing this, Frank made sure to book it a year ahead every time he passed through so as not to be shut out.
After getting everyone checked into their upstairs rooms, he went downstairs, grabbed a cup of masala tea, and strode out onto the br
