CDT mile 236 miles hiked 21
We layed in bed until the sun was up the cold night hat brought a heavy layer of condensation onto our bags and then froze solid. We are the most cowboy camping crew around so far the only time my tarp had been pitched was at the hot springs to give me some privacy.
A natural arch
We finally packed up and set off for 13.5 more miles of Gila River beauty and A multitude of crossings. The river was numbing and our legs were ready for the constant whipping we would soon endure. We carried in as usual pushing miles and laughing along the way.
We finally sat down at 10:30 for a second breakfast and then I noticed it. I had lost my camera. My heart sunk as not only had I just lost the photos from Silver City to here, but that camera was also a gift from my wife and it broke my heart to know it was gone. I backtracked some to look for it but I was pretty sure it fell out some 3/4 miles back. I wrote a note and attached it to a signpost, hopefully, another hiker will find it and we will soon be reunited.
I was a bit down in the mouth as we carried on but then we came to Snow Lake, as we climbed to the USFS outhouses and campsites we saw a lady packing up from her time fishing at the lake, Buttercup turned to us and said, “She is preparing the trail magic.” We spotted a bag of food someone had left by the sign in it was potted meat, spam, chips, chili, marshmallows and candies a true hobo find. When she saw us digging in like a hungry pack of raccoons she asked if we wanted more food.
A feast any hobo would be jealous of
Now in the world of thru-hiking nothing brings a smile to ones face more than the phrase “trail magic” and that is what then happened. Next thing we knew we had homemade brownies, shrimp cocktail with sauce and Munster cheese. We feasted like kings and Zorro was there with us and we introduced him to spam sandwiches.
The rest of the day found us walking up a dry canyon into an area that reminded me of the flowing hills of wheat in eastern Oregon along the Chinook trail. We wove our way through numerous balsa before finding a camp at the edge of the forest. We are tucked in sing as a bug and soon will be dreaming of home.
Me and Sweet Potato back together again
Momma and baby bear prints
If I didn’t know better I would say I was back home in the gorge
