Silver City is a fun, funky town - I highly recommend it.  I had a blast walking around, both exploring and getting town chores done at the same time.  I even have new shoes, new stuff sacks to organize my things, and a new fanny pack.  I feel re-energized and excited about life.

Even though my old shoes were fine, I’m erring on the side of caution this trail and plan to replace my shoes every 300ish miles no matter what.  On the PCT there were times when I hiked over 700 miles in a pair of shoes, which was a disaster in the long run.  This time around I’m hoping I’ll have fewer issues by replacing my shoes more frequently.  Fingers crossed. 

The nylofume bags we were using didn’t work out so well.  Not only were they extraordinarily loud and crinkly, but they became too brittle and ended up ripping.  So now we have new stuff sacks from Hilltop Packs.  I think they are going to be great for helping me fit everything in my pack (my cozy quilt is so puffy that I need the stuff sack to help me really compress it).

And while I love the fanny pack my friend Ami gave me, I decided I needed something bigger.  I sent the fanny pack I started with back to Texas with Mary and I now have an Atom Packs fanny pack.  They use their leftover material to make them, so the colors can be crazy and you don’t get to pick - what they send you is what you get.  I wasn’t initially a huge fan of the yellow and black, but Rocks pointed out that it looks like a bee so I feel better about it. 

We started the day with a huge, delicious breakfast from Adobe Springs Cafe.  Pony was there, so we joined him.  He is full of interesting stories and we had a great conversation.

After breakfast, Nick and I went to a few outfitters to see what they had.  I wanted to find some Nuun tablets, we are both considering new socks, and we also wanted to find something to repair the tiny hole I noticed in my CNOC bladder.  We only walked out with the Nuun tablets (they didn’t have exactly what we needed for the bladder repair and they didn’t have socks in my size).

Then Nick and I split up.  I wanted to go to CVS to get Aquaphor for my chapped lips, some magnesium pills, and a callus scraper (I know it sounds gross but sometimes they get so thick they hurt). The CVS was a mile away from the outfitter, in the opposite direction of the hostel, and Nick didn’t want to walk that far.  So I set off on my own, breaking in the new shoes and feeling free and happy.  

There was a McDonalds close to the CVS, so I walked there, too, just because I wanted to steal their WiFi.  I had attempted to send Theresa the blog info from the hostel this morning, but it was taking a painfully long time so gave up.  I haven’t eaten at a McDonalds in years, but I applaud their WiFi.  

I took my time on the way back, exploring the town.  I stopped at a grocery store to get some snacks for Nick and an apple for myself.  Then I went back to the outfitter to get some tape we think might work for the bladder.  (Nick had been busy at the hostel, trying to figure out how to repair it, and he called saying we should give the tenacious tape a try.)

A little later on my meanderings, I passed a cute store in which I found some little earrings and a ring.  It was like the rock I picked up on the trail - I couldn’t pass them up.  I figure they will be delightful reminders of how content I feel right now.  Besides, it’s worn weight so it doesn’t count, right?

Next, I stopped to visit Rocks and Machelle in their hotel room.  I needed to return Rocks’ headphones, true, but I would have gone to visit them regardless.  It was nice to have some girl time.  :)

Nick came to find me around 2pm and we walked to pick up some things for Machelle (she wasn’t up for leaving the room) and to get a late lunch.  By the time I made it back to the hostel, it was after 3.  Then I organized my pack, made sure I had enough food for the next section, and biked back to the hotel to give Machelle her goods.  Being on a bike felt great, by the way. 

All the walking I did today felt great too.  It was an excellent active recovery after the road walk.  The blisters are getting better and so is my back.  Good things.  

My only regret is not being able to see Turquoise.  We met her on the PCT and she messaged me saying she lives here.  I was hoping we’d be able to meet up but it didn’t happen.  :( Maybe after the trail.  

This evening was spent chatting with the various hikers staying here, which was enjoyable.  I even managed to FaceTime with my parents and it was wonderful to see their faces. Miss you Mom and Dad, hope to see you in Colorado!

I love this bed, I need to stop writing already so I have as much time as possible sleeping in it.

Art around the town (it was everywhere!):