Continental Divide Trail Days 9-12

There is a beauty down here that I would describe is alluring and stark. After my chance meeting with the good folks at Ravenswing Farm I had a peaceful night some distance from the main road to Silver City. It is nice being in a place where there is little ambient light to take away from the view of the night sky. This is a day by day undertaking and I ignore the aches and minor irritations to focus on the beauty of the journey. It is a must to continue doing something to have a full life. I ask many people a question to reflect on, “Is there a point when you allow yourself to become inconsequential in your own life?” The answer should be no. Don’t get on a glide path that has you existing instead of being

Day 9

Still feeling good and positive I began my road walk to the highway To continue the 12-mile road walk into Silver City. To be honest walking along the highway Is it very fulfilling for me. It is just something I have to do to get between places. Upon reaching Silver City I went immediately to the post office to get my resupply boxes. A bit of real disappointment here as someone at the post office had returned my packages to my home after five days instead of the 30 days hold in the postal guidance. Disappointing in more than one way as it is not just pieces of equipment and food but required medications. This would require me to stay overnight so I exited the building and set out front while planning for a hotel and finding a store that would have some hiking gear.

A nice gentleman, some years older than me, approached and started talking to me And sharing that he had been working with veterans for 30 years and had been in Vietnam. We had a nice conversation and fellowship, and he gave me a ride to the hotel I had chosen. We sat in the parking lot for a few minutes to finish our discussion and he asked if I knew what it was that drew his attention to me. I replied it’s my eyes. He said it was because there is only one set of experiences that makes your eyes look that way. He has the same eyes. After checking into my room I cleaned up and collected my thoughts and headed to Gila Hike and Bike. This is a great store with a wonderful staff in a fine selection of products to help hikers with many of their needs. I had made the decision to send my Aarn Featherlight Freedom backpack home and had ordered a larger Aarn Natural Balance Pro pack to be shipped from New Zealand. The volume of the water and food carries required a change. I purchased and nice Osprey to use in the interim. Back to the hotel and eating at a couple of close by restaurants.

Day 10

I loaded my gear into the new pack , checked the room, ate two waffles at the breakfast buffet and walked down the street to the Walnut Road Alternate. Another long road walk and off again into the woods. Prior to leaving the road a van stopped, and the driver asked if I was a thru hiker and I replied that I was. He then asked if was alright If he and the other occupant could pray with me for a safe and meaningful journey. Prayers said we parted ways. I’m deeply touched. Continuing on there was some rocky downhill and I came close to taking a tumble. Pro Tip, listening to K.C. and The Sunshine Band on the downhill might put a little too much pep in the step of someone my age. Get down tonight. Thirty to forty mile per hour winds were forecast with gusts up to 60 mph. The winds were less noticeable the further I got into the canyons. Beautiful foliage and rock formations highlighted the miles and one old cabin with no sign telling its history stood out. Toward dark I found a good place near a creek to pitch camp.

Day 11

The fun began at about 5:00 AM when I woke up and took a drink of water. Feeling something solid amongst the liquid I hesitated a moment wondered what had gotten in my water. I ran my tongue around the object and my teeth to discover it was a crown off of one of my teeth. Change of plans, I have first world problems and now need to walk 14 miles back out to get the crown reinstalled. Checking the map I settled on my route and began to make my way east to a main road. Some miles from the road I heard an ATV coming up behind me and the driver stopped for a few moments’ conversation. He is Doug the hermit and he has been living in the woods for 25 years. It just so happened that he was heading to the road to meet a friend of his who was going to take him into town for resupply. These trips were rare for him and as luck would have it I was able to get a ride with them back into Silver City. Such kindness and good fortune. The dental clinic collocated with the county health facility was able to get me in immediately and within a few hours my crown was reset, a burger and fries consumed, and a ride secured back to the trailhead. Blessings of the day. I made my way back to the Gila Alternate and continued my journey with stream crossings becoming frequent. After making enough miles into the canyon it was time to stop for the day and reflect on the day’s events. Strange beginning, good middle and good end.

Day 12

A blur of beautiful rock formations, winding trail, and wet feet. I must say with all candor I do not enjoy walking in canyons. Militarily speaking being on the low ground and exposed feels like a tactical disadvantage. None of the water was too swift or deep for safe crossing and though beautiful I was waiting for this section to be done. Within a few miles of the road there was supposed to be a hot spring near the river though I failed to locate it. Finally, the highway was in sight and one last crossing and a slight uphill put me on the road for another short road walk. Gila Hot Springs is wonderful, and the iconic Doc Campbell’s Post is worth the stop. I met a nice group of hikers who were preparing to hike some nearby trails. The family that runs the Post are amazing people. Mikey is a fellow veteran and is a true hero! I do not say this lightly. He and his family have my eternal love and gratitude. I was given a ride down to the Hot Spring on the river and was signed in by Augie who took care of me throughout an unplanned double zero. The springs were wonderful, fellow guests engaging and interesting, and my campsite by the river was perfect. They take care of thru hikers in this place. After a long evening soak, I turned in and waited for the snow that was forecast. I will return to see these wonderful people again.

“Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced.”– Soren Kierkegaard

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