Journey Day 466 | CDT Day 129

From the valley below, there were still amazing panoramas.

10/21/87

Alarm awakening, although I was already semi-conscious. Into shower, dress, pack, so I'm ready to go. David comes down. We head up to his truck, meet Dave, a wrangler with relatives into backpack trips. Ride into Quickmart, where I'm quickly in and out.

Say goodbye, give address to wrangler for job possibility. Over to Elkhorn Cafe for huevos rancheros and pie, local town leaders meeting by the window. Read up on new war and imminent economic recession. Finished, I hit the post office, pick up care package from Pacific Crest Trail partner Keith Jones, letters from Mom, Grama, Jeff Sauer from the P.C.T. and Bob Bagley and Deb Deming, a couple I met on the Appalachian Trail. But no Leonard, Laurie or Carl, my hiking mates. Where are they?

Laundry, check mail, eat from inside mailed offerings, talk with the attendant. Outside notice park across the road. Head to picnic table where I set up. Finish newspaper, look frantically, finally find my notebook in my food bag. Update, eat more.

Nice break along the San Juan River. When I'm caught up on correspondence, I inquire about camping in the park. Routed to the police. Nice folks. I notice Carl and we meet on the sidewalk, laugh, entertain office workers. Parks superintendent OKs our stay. Carl and I hit the supermarket to secure supplemental foods. Back down to park, I drink beer, eat until dinner time, while also pitching tent. Meet Carl for Mexican food that haunts me the next day. Leonard and Laurie decline. We have good talk, tasty Mexican combo plates. See the movie Nadine. Visit with others, talk as gas builds. Back to camp, crash despite security lights blaring through tent walls.