CDT mile 1376.5, miles hiked 38
The leftovers on the way to Rawlins
I woke up in the night a few times, once to see the wild ponies right in camp by Maverick’s tent eating grass and the again when I rolled over. The Milky Way was as vivid as ever and so close I felt like I was in space. The only problem with cowboy camping is waking up and staying up too much star gazing, but I’ll sleep when I get home until then I’ll enjoy the stars. When my alarm rolled I woke up to a frozen sleeping a bag, water, and gear. I am shocked that I the desert in July it is still getting below freezing at night.
Thank god for my CDTC Mont-bell umbrella, buy yours at CDTC’s website
We all looked at the water and saw there wasn’t a lot for the next stretch. We also consulted the maps and saw a J Ley purple route that would save us 15 miles and walk the road. There was a reservoir in 25 miles so we all figured we would fill up there. We each loaded what we needed for me that was 4 liters of water about 8lbs of weight. We set off in the cold air knowing soon it would be hot. There were a few miles on the trail before we hit the road, the whole way we kept seeing tons of antelope in the distance. We finally hit the road and in a mule saw a sign that read Rawlins 34 miles. We joked about going to the town that day but figured we would fill at the reservior and camp out on the trail.
The Basin off in the distance soon to be our walking ground
For the next many hours we walked the road, gravel tricks blew by us along with many a pickup truck towing either ATV’s or horses. No one stopped and offered a drink, I stated that if we had been in NM we would be drunk by now because the ranchers there always stopped and gave us all beers when they saw us on a road walk. We kept walking and stopped at 11:30 for a lunch break in the bright sun. I was using my umbrella to make shade, God I love that thing. I also found an American Flag balloon and put it on my pack so all could see.
As we rolled down the road again after lunch a car pulled over and the guy asked if wanted cold water? Of course, we did, we stood there in the sun chugging a few bottles of ice cold water and listened to his story of being a reformed gambler, and now a semi-retired dad traveling around the US when he can. We thanked him as he drove away. 30 minutes later a truck pulling a camper asked if we wanted some cold drinks, and they produced 3 Gatorades, and then handed to me, the last in line for a drink, a 2qt bottle of mango tango smoothie by Odwalla. Holy cramp what a treat it was thick, rich and ice cold.
We chugged the icy wonders and walked on, finally, I had to poop and the only split was down a ditch, luckily no traffic came by and I carried on. I saw the reservoir in the distance and immediately knew it was no good. All the water in the area was Alkali and saline nasty water that will make you sick and give you the runs. We opted not to drink that water. Smelly Jesus was there with Buttercup and Cheezy he too was heading to town with the water he had and we all decided that was the thing to do. So now we had done 25 miles and decided what the hell let’s do another 13.
Now for me and buttercup doing 38 miles is nothing new but for Cheezy and Maverick, it would be their highest mileage day. We all set off as a group and once again yogied water from a passerby. A mile up the way we saw Snapshot, he was waiting for a guy to come give him a ride so he gave us his water and each us now with 2 liters knew we could make Rawlins.
We hit pavement 10 miles from town and in two miles sat down to take our last break. My feet were tired and I was sore but I was also giddy to do a big day. I rubbed some pain salve on my ankle and foot, ate a bar, 5 energy chews and took a Vicodin to dull the pain. When the break was over we agreed to meet in town, I would walk with Buttercup and Cheezy and Maverick would walk together.
I was in front, I plugged in some music, been listening to lots of Pearl Jam lately and started to mash the miles like my mom mashes taters at Thanksgiving. As I strolled along the sun dipped low and the temps cooled. The miles went by fast and next thing I knew I was standing under I-70 waiting for Buttercup. We walked through town together and found the Thai restaurant. Thai food in Wyoming what treat and a nice change of food for us. We sat down ordered up food and drinks and waited for the others.
Rawlins, WY is one of the windest spots in the state and a major corss roads for the intertstate system
An hour later right before the kitchen closed at 9 pm Maverick and Cheezy walked in the restaurant and we all celebrated their achievement. Cheesy broke down in tears from the exhaustion and we had to get it on video of course. She composed herself and enjoyed a lege meal of Thai food. A quick cab ride brought us to the Days Inn where we got the hiker rate and then showered and passed out.
Cheezy and Maverick elated and exhausted
We will now prepare for the great divide basin and the wonder that the red desert will bring us.
