The wind blew almost all night. But when I awoke all was calm. I ate granola and got a liter of water from the metal water tank. The morning’s hike ran thru desert shrubland, mostly along hillsides. The rocks on the slopes pounded my feet. In six miles I reached a water cache near Hwy 81. My younger hiking pals were long gone. I had a drink and got a liter for the 5-mile walk to a cow trough. More walking through creosote bush. The cow trough was located on saddle between low hills. A well fed a 12-ft tall steel tank that fed the trough- an old tractor tire. More walking on an old rocky two-track road (see photo). By this time the sun blazed and the wind blew hard. The highlight of the day was a trail angel named Apple. The trail angels in several places including the CDT and the Colorado Trail. I had a cold drink and bag of chips then headed west. I was pooped but wanted to make four more miles so I can reach Lordsburg tomorrow. The prospect of a room, a shower, and laundry motivated me. At 5:30 p.m. I found a semi-protected spot behind a patch of dead shrubs. 21 hard miles today.
Buddy,
Hope your blisters are not too awful. Must be tough keeping the feet good in the heat, but it sounds like you are off to a strong start. I am envious.
Keep trucking,
Dan