We woke up early, took one last shower, taped my feet in 4 different places, dropped off some things for the hiker box (including the amazing shoes Nick got for me at the dollar store), and started on our way. Since the trail passed right by it, we stopped at McDonalds so Nick could get breakfast and so I could send Theresa two more blog posts using their far superior WiFi.
I look forward to leaving town just as much as I look forward to getting there. While it’s nice to socialize and get clean and eat fresh food, after a day or so my introverted self yearns for the trail, where I can walk with my own thoughts and just enjoy existing. Despite all the blister issues I’m having, I feel very grateful to be able to do this.
The terrain was easy - we walked a few miles next to the highway, a few miles across flat rangeland, and the last part of the day was the most perfectly graded uphill to the water source. It was just enough of an incline to challenge different muscles but not enough of one to make you tired or out of breath. I loved it.
At one point I lost the trail (it’s so easy to do out here) but I found a dirt road that led me back and all was well. I arrived back on the trail just in time to meet up with Nick (who didn’t get lost). He told me he passed Sith and her friend - of all the times for me to misplace the trail! We should see her here at the water source, though, as it’s the only one around for a long while.
The water in the tank is a little better than the one with all the algae, but not by much. There are also lots of bees around (they’re thirsty, too). To get to the water you have to be ok with lots of bees flying all around you. Fortunately for me, I don’t mind bees. Unfortunately for the bees, they don’t realize how deep the water is and many of them drowned or were drowning.
If you didn’t know already you know now - I love bees. When I was a kid my dad was a beekeeper and I have many fond memories of his bees (and their honey). I couldn’t just watch the bees drown, so I found some sticks and spent quite a bit of time fishing the half-drowned bees out of the water. Bees were flying all around me and I felt very in sync with nature - I love the calming hum of bees.:)
Mission Save the Bees
This water was full of dead bees and wasps but at least there wasn’t much algae
There were quite a few hikers in the area, waiting out the hot part of the day under the trees. There wasn’t much talking, which was nice - everyone was just relaxing and minding their own business. Google and I did bond over the bees, though, which led us to swapping some snacks - I gave him some dried mango and he gave me some hard honey candy.
As I was putting the dried mango back into my pack, I stood up too fast and nearly hit my head on a tree branch. I quickly ducked out of the way, which turned out to be a terrible move because my lower back completely seized up.
It’s always something with me, apparently. I guess this is what it’s like to hike in your 40s?
The good news is that we weren’t planning to go any further today anyway, which is fortunate because I can’t even stand up straight at the moment. I’m hoping a good night’s rest will cure everything. And if it doesn’t, well, the back pain will surely drown out the blister pain.
Whilst I was lying on my back, trying to will the muscles to relax, we heard water filling up the water reservoir. Nick quickly climbed to the top and filled our water bladders with clean, clear, non-bug-infested water. What a treat!
My hero acquiring clean water. :)
I’m going to spend the rest of the afternoon stretching and trying to get my back muscles to relax. They feel frozen, no doubt because they are overworked and are trying to protect themselves.
Still waiting for Sith and her friend to show up - I hope they are ok, it’s been a while.
Nick just noticed my heel and exclaimed, “Oh my god, your blister got even bigger! I don’t think I’ve ever seen a blister this big! While it was fine most of the day, I did have to stop for a break around 11 as it was really bothering me. I was hoping to avoid having to pop it, but we think it’s the best option at this point. We’re going to attempt to pop it through the tape (because we don’t have much tape left and what’s already on my heel is holding strong). Nick is a good, caring doctor.
Nick just before he popped my enormous blister
Along the trail (beware, there was lots of death on the trail today):
Camp:
