Start: HWY 50
Stop: The Butterfly House
Today’s Miles: 12.6
Total CDT miles: 819.2
I slept GOD AWFUL last night, thanks to the mosquitos. I even sprayed some bug spray around myself, but it didn’t seem to help at all. I would fall asleep bundled up in my quilt, wake up from being hot-take it all off-and then get attacked. Rinse and repeat. I saw the time tick by, 22:28, 00:42, 01:20, 04:13. Ugh.
Pebbles was up early, by 5:20, and packing up. He wakes up so much better than I do. I rolled over and decided I’d get a move on when my alarm went off. I woke up at 6 and started packing, unsure how far ahead of me he was. I was hiking by 6:15 and a mile up the highway there was a spring I got water from. The water came out of a pipe and into a big barrel, the whole area covered in graffiti. I filtered it, and it tasted fine.
The road was 7 miles total from where we camped straight up to Monarch Pass. Wouldn’t you know that with just over a mile to go, I had to sneak off into the woods and dig a cat hole. Squatting while looking out onto unsuspecting drivers was somewhat entertaining.. as I was praying I was out of their line of sight-even if they weren’t out of mine. I had to time everything by the cars shooting by. Fun stuff. My hot pink sun hoody definitely doesn’t help me trying to hide, either.
Back on the road, squeezing tight to the sharp rocks to give the drivers the most space possible, Pebbles told me he was at the top and planned to wait for me there. Neither of us bought anything from the restaurant there, as it was a bit overpriced. By 9am I was heading the 5.6 miles downhill, all the way to The Butterfly House, the hostel we’re staying at tonight.
I made it just before 11am, and Pebbles was ramped up and ready to go apparently. I had to take my shower, start my laundry, you know-the normal chores. It was still early in the day, I wasn’t sure why he was so rushed to get to the town of Salida. I mean, I know I wanted a meal in town-but that never seems to be his motivation.
He patiently waited for my clothes to be put in the dryer, talking to another hiker named Nope. Once the clothes were in, we said our goodbyes to Nope, who let me put my pack in the private room he used, so I could claim it, and we set off towards the main highway to hitch into town. I had on loaner clothes, this odd patterned dress and a pair of shorts, plus my puffy. Im sure I was a sight to be seen. Obviously the passersby agreed, because no one stopped until Pebbles was in front of me. I think my praying hands helped, but whatever.. haha, I know I looked crazy.
We caught a ride with a guy from Florida who has been living here for 4 years, working as a fishing guide. He and his cute black lab, Gretchen, were very cool. He definitely has the laid back outdoorsy type written all over him. We talked the whole way down to Salida, with Gretchen in Pebble’s lap in the front seat, soaking up all of his puppy pets.
We resupplied at a Safeway grocery store, walked over to an outfitter for Pebbles to exchange socks and for me to get a couple of dehydrated meals and a new headband to try out. Then, I walked to a pizza place while Pebbles walked to the main road to hitch back to the Butterfly House. This town’s historic downtown is so cute, I couldn’t pass up eating and hanging out a little longer.
At the Moonlight Pizza and Brew Pub, I ordered a glass of red wine, a Caprese salad, and a speciality pizza with steak, jalapeños, and feta.. and ranch. Everything was delicious! I took my time and enjoyed myself by people watching and trying to not scarf down my food. Right after I ordered, I text the people from the Butterfly House to see about a shuttle, but when I got no response after eating and paying, I prepared myself to walk to the main road and start trying to hitch back.
I walked down pretty grid streets lined with houses, no two the same. Each one had its own complete personality. I loved it. When I got to the main road, I stuck my thumb out and started to hope. I knew it would be kinda tough, with me not looking like a CDT hiker, but like a weird lady with an odd fashion sense instead. Less than 5 minutes of trying, I got a text back from the Butterfly House folks telling me they were on their way!
I told them I’d be at the gas station 2 streets up, since I needed to get cash from an ATM and I wanted a drink.. and some shade. The sun out here is almost as brutal as it was near the Mexican border! Josh, his dog, Earnie, and PEBBLES, picked me up in a white short school bus about 30 minutes later! Pebbles had gotten a hitch halfway back to the hostel, but had no luck from there, so Josh picked him up on the way to get me! How funny!
We sang songs with Josh and Earnie, his howls hysterical.. apparently he sings better to a different artist, but we enjoyed what we got. Back at the house, we talked with Josh and Shane-the guy who owns the Butterfly House. They were a lot of fun. Eventually, I snuck back to my room to lay down and charge my phone (at a whopping 17%) while they chatted in the living room.
Its almost 6:15pm now, Pebbles is cooking his meal in the kitchen (it smells so delicious, he’s a great cook), and I’m debating on chugging a ton of water because I can’t seem to quench my thirst. I need to reorganize and pack up some, maybe it’ll be an early night-and a good night of sleep! After last night, I need it!
Sweet dreams yall!