Today marked our first day to truly use the cool hours of the day to our advantage. We started walking just before 5 am under the “moon sun,” so bright we didn’t even need a headlamp.
As per tradition, it was breakfast club at sunrise.
About 10 miles into our day, we passed the second water cache. My deepest thanks to the CDTC and the individuals who maintain these caches so we can safely pass through the desert.
Also, did I mention how wonderful it is to be back around my hiking family? All of the people in this photo are folks I’ve never met until this water cache, and now writing this from town we’re splitting hotel rooms and sharing food and catching up like we’ve known each other all our lives. That’s just how the trail works and it’s magical.
By 11 am, the sun was getting oppressive so it was time for our siesta. We’ve already learned to let the jackrabbits help us know when to find shelter. When we stop seeing them, we best start looking for shade. On this 85 mile section, there are 13 juniper trees so you’ve got to take what you can get.
After siesta came a windstorm with 30 mph sustained winds and 50 mph gusts. Add in some desert sand and you have a sandblast.
And then there was trail magic (unexpected kindness for hikers usually in the form of a cold drink or snacks)! I was definitely not expecting this on the CDT, but what a welcome surprise!
We bedded down among some scrub brush in an attempt to get shelter from the wind. Good thing we were both so tired the howling didn’t stop us from sleeping for a minute.
Goodnight from a starry sky and a tired Blueberry!
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