Start: 441.8
Stop: 508.2
Today’s Miles: 27.2
Total CDT miles: 372.4
We knocked out another 27+ mile day! And man, everything hurts right now. My hips, my legs, my feet. Pebbles is hurting pretty bad, too. We made it to a ranger’s station that’s closed, and we decided we can’t walk another step to attempt to camp “out of the way.” We’re literally cowboying right by the picnic table by the front door!
So, we left before 7am and hit the dirt road. Before it was too hot, we had already made it to the paved road. While it made for even hotter conditions and sore feet, the views made up for it. On the left side was lava rock for miles and miles and on the right side was huge canyon walls. It really was spectacular.
Also, another car stopped and offered a drink, I took a coke this time! These folks are so nice! As we were walking, we passed two older hikers we originally met on one of our first few days leaving Lordsburg. One of them made a comment about my walk, saying I looked like I was walking funny-like sir, I just did 27 miles yesterday-I hurt-I’m sure I am walking funny.
We passed them, got to a water trough and rested.. about 15 minutes later they came walking up. For the record, they were both also walking pretty damn funny. I didn’t point it out. We talked awhile, filtered water. They had something to say about where I got my water in the tank, too. To be quite honest, they were on my nerves and I knew my niceness was about to run dry and I’d be telling them both all the thoughts in my head. So, to avoid that, I packed up and walked funny right on out of there. I had a feeling we’d end up staying a head of them, and so far, that’s held true.
Pebbles and I just kept walking and walking. The views got lots of ooos and ahhhhs from us both at different times. I snapped picture after picture. We got water from a cache someone left by a parking lot. We saw a natural arch which was pretty neat. And that’s really it. As the sun started to dip, we walked up to the closed off rangers station parking lot, went under the gate, and walked right up to the front door. I even waved at the camera.
There was a water spigot there, which is the reason they don’t mind thru hikers coming up there after hours, but all of the comments recommend camping “out of sight.” I feel half dead. So, I’m to the left of the picnic table and Pebbles has his sleeping pad set up on the other side of this tree the picnic table is at. We’re cowboying, so it’s not like we’re driving in tent stakes or anything.
We’ll be up and out of here by 6:30 tomorrow. Just saying that makes my legs hate me a little. This sunset is phenomenal.. and I feel pretty dang lucky to be able to witness such natural beauty. Even if I am next to a picnic table and a parking lot. Ha.
Ok, time for some shut eye. Before I know it, the sun will be rising again! We walk into Grants, New Mexico tomorrow, and I so cannot WAIT for a shower and a real bed! Goodnight yall!