19th July
16.8 miles
Rawlins (1424.6) to Bushcamp (1441.4)
From the time I woke my mind was on one thing, and one thing only. The all you can eat Thai buffet at lunch. I love Thai food.
In the morning I packed two food resupply boxes to mail to myself further up the trail. To my surprise I learned that the UPS store didn’t open until 3pm. The kind staff at the hotel offered to drop the packages off for me in the afternoon.
With the packages dealt I bid farewell to Thomas and Mary who continue their cycling journey south on the Great Divide Cycling Route. I also bid farewell to Lucky who is taking some time off in Rawlins. I’m unsure if he will catch me again on trail.
As I arrived at the Thai restaurant a couple of hikers waved at me through the tinted windows of a car. I couldn’t make out who it was. Out jumped Boston and Zorro. They joined me for lunch.
Boston wasn’t feeling great so stayed in town another night. Giardia and a couple of broken ribs will do that to a hiker. So I set off hiking with Zorro. It wasn’t long before he was out of sight. Which is not easy to do on the flat open plains. My sore heal flaired up slowing me down. I stopped often to stretch but the minor irritation remained. It’s annoying but I’m doing my best to manage it on the days it flairs up. Lots of stretching.
After maybe 10 miles of hiking I enjoyed some rare trail magic. A hiker was giving trail magic before heading back on trail. I forgot his name. Strawberries, cherries, snickers and a large bottle of Gatorade. I needed the Gatorade. I’d ran out of water an hour earlier and was a little thirsty. Three other hikers were there. Zorro, Easyrider and another hikers whose name I forgot. Thanks. I’m bad with names, sorry.
We all set off hiking at around the same time but all hiked alone. Until we reached a water source two miles away. The water had a taste and smell of cow poo. Embrace the brutality, I told myself. This trail isn’t easy.
I stayed at the water chatting with Easyrider. Most of the conversation revolved around hiking the Appalachian Trail. I haven’t even finished this trail and I’m planning the next. But it was getting late. Time to make a few miles and find a place to camp.
I hiked several more miles till I found a flat but if ground with expansive views. Wide open treeless plains. Big skies. I watched the sunset on my right and the moonrise on my left. I like Wyoming.
Next – Day 94 Mustangs and Pronghorns
Everything you need to know about hiking the CDT:
Complete Guide to Hiking the Continental Divide Trail
CDT Resupply Guide
CDT Gear List
“The water had a taste and smell of cow poo”… that´s definetly not good… :-))))
Sometimes you have to be grateful for water, no matter what it looks like.
Agree…
Dances with Wolves come to mind
I must watch the movie again
Inspiring landscape. I expect you will show us Sam Peckinpah making his next movie.
Possibly
Fantastic open landscapes, I totally agree with that! (As a Swiss person I’ve had already a few funny looks when I’ve said I love open landscapes…). Thanks for the beautiful pictures again, cheers .-)
Open skies are amazing
I admire your ability to keep the electronics charged up and that you can keep getting connections to enable you to post your messages and photos that I so enjoy reading. Wishing I was on the trail with you and had the ability to do so.
Cheers Bob. Thank goodness for a backup battery for the phone and cell phone towers
I’ve always wanted to hike on an open prairie!
It’s a great experience. Specially late in the day and the night skies are stunning
I do look forward to reading your almost daily posts. It is amazing that you are willing to keep everyone up to the minute on your hiking.
Thanks Margaret. Cell phone reception and wifi are limited and only going to get worse.
I like Wyoming too. Glad you’ve reached some flat land.
So far so good. Let’s hope I can stay away from the Grizzlies