A day in town beckoned. I started the 12-mile road walk to Pie Town along a gravel road. The cool morning air provided ideal hiking weather. I plodded along past piñon-juniper woodland. After a few miles, hiker Steve caught up with me. We walked the rest of the way together. His companionship provided a pleasant change of pace. We arrived in Pie Town at 11 am and found the Toaster House, a hostel teeming with hikers. Where did they come from? Nita, the hostel owner, took a photo of us hikers (see photo) then a load of us on a tour of town culminating at the Gathering Place for Pie and other eats. Back at the hostel, I found a bed in a room with two female Norwegian cross-country cyclists. I soaked my feet in Epsom salt-laced cold water then washed my filthy clothes and took a shower. Most of the rest of the day involved eating from the hiker boxes, rehydrating, and chatting. At 5 pm, I walked to the Gathering Place and made calls using their Wi-Fi. I need Riley to mail my cold-weather sleeping bag to Cuba, NM. Back at the hostel. I ate dinner courtesy of Emma. I’m grateful to be here and to give my feet a much-needed rest. 12 miles today.
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