Journey Day 511 | CDT Day 174

Sunsets were magical in southern New Mexico.

12/5/87

Up once to restoke dwelling fire, I enjoy daybreak dry, then pack and leave with regrets. Two tricky fords and I'm at the cabin, getting in on banana pancakes. Richard will join me today. We part from Nancy at the visitor's center, after getting information from the ranger on the trail ahead.

the next morning, I left my cliff dwelling with regrets.

Excellent walk. Learn of Richard's bass playing, life on the reservation in Corn, Oklahoma, living in various states, he's seen them all apparently. Fog clears to a beautiful morning. Great views of the canyon, then begin climb.

Stop at store for agua, Oreos. Then on up the road, few cars. We talk, gaze at changing panoramas as we climb. Amazing views, storm gathering to the northwest. It gradually gains on us, Richards leaves as it hits, heading back. He's quite a fellow. We resolve to meet again.

I hike to the vista, the storm getting nasty. I awaken Ohio vacationer who drives off. I photo plaque, then head down, not enjoying damp snow and high winds.

At one steep, slippery spot, find young Mexican guy and girl who offer to drive me to the intersection. I'm quickly in the flatbed, keeping my butt out of a small puddle as we head down the hill. Storm slows, they drop me at the Lake Roberts store. I get coffee from a nice lady, talk and wait out storm. When it clears amazingly, call Texas friend Richard again, then hike by lady's instructions around the lake on trails.

Bill Daugherty, an El Paso fisherman, at the edge of a camp. I approach, initially mistaking his trailer for that of a Florida couple I'd seen twice. We talk, I pitch. He invites me to dinner. Learn he's a veteran of Vietnam, etc., Special Forces and Green Beret who's retired to enjoy fishing trips. We munch spaghetti, etc, and talk, but ends quickly as he suggests I crash, which I do after pudding. One midnight snacking binge interrupts my slumber after a reading session with new batteries.