Journey Day 407 | CDT Day 70

After a day begging a ride, I caught one back into the Wind Rivers in 1985.

8/23/87

Up and out of room, prepared to beg for hitch about 60 miles back to the Big Sandy Lodge. Have Denver omelet breakfast, Visa a few more foodstuffs, talk with Way awhile. Begin my day, mostly spent on board seats in shade outside Farson Merchantile, asking an endless stream of folks nearly all headed out, for a ride. Most visiting store for legendary "big cones" of ice cream made special by large servings and cooler, according to the store clerk.

No luck, meet some interesting folks, sympathetic, but my prospects seem slim. Try hitching across the road awhile, ask gas station customers, but realize nearly everyone heading in the right direction stops in the store. Lunchtime (peanut butter and jelly sandwiches) comes and goes, hundreds pass, cones in hand, but no luck. Two headed to the right place, but full up. Getting desperate as afternoon goes away when an old van pulls in. Guy looking burnt goes in, apparently unsure where he's headed. Not promising, but I decide to give it a try. Walk over, noticing Ohio plates, end up riding with Clevelanders Gregg and Doug back to the trailhead.

Take the long route, the old van rough over rutted road. Long talk with Gregg, a Bedford, OH, Dairy Queen manager living in Cleveland because of kids by an ex-wife, but loves the mountains, especially Colorado. Dana, a psychiatric institute worker, eventually joins in as we talk hiking, climbing, Colorado, Cleveland, etc. Bid farewell at the lodge with bad skies over the peak toward the Divide. Who's sitting in the lodge but Laurie and Carl.

Shocked, we talk, loud in quiet lodge meeting room. Contract for dinner, talk with workers, pretty rangerette. Back out, talk with Leonard, others. Soon its gloriously dinner time. Massive meal, though always could have more. Mostly eat, but talk with couple who'd been unable to give me a ride and Georgia fellows.

Retire to fireplace room and evening with Connie and Bernie, workers at the lodge, railing on various issues. Back at the room, try to sleep, eventually do on lumpy rollaway bed, once lights off. Reunited...

Back on the trail in Wyoming.

Incredible hail and rainstorm, lightning hits after I'm back in my room, lucky to be inside.