6 April, 2022 Wednesday
This is ThruHikerMomma: I have been working my 7 night shifts in a row so haven't had much time to blog. But so many fun things are happening to her. I will get right to it.
It is fun to ping her and see her steps during that day. I can see her exact path. I am learning to kind of read the topography of the maps so I can tell when she slows and is climbing, then I check the temperature and start wondering about her water situation. But let me put your minds at ease, she has maps, and instructions on where the next water is and she is educated enough on hydration to know how much she needs to carry until she gets to the next water point. I never question her on these things. My worries need not become hers. She's smart.
Kristi hit her 50 mile mark on 31 March, 2022. I know...I'm behind. There was a little rock marker laid out to let her know she'd made it to a milestone.
Kristi's words: 2 April, 2022 (Sat)
"It's starting to get warmer each day. We will be in the high 80's by Monday. Let's hope I can keep hydrated waltzing into town today. Hopefully I can hike the 8.8 miles in before the trail angels stop giving rides for the day.
Depending on how I feel, I may skip town and re-supply on the East side of the freeway at Stage Coach RV park. That will save me money, as long as they have food. I am running out of food. I don't have enough to get me to Warner Springs without buying some in town/RV park.
I am feeling much better and headed to Stage Coach RV park instead of Julian. I'm at 68.4 miles...headed to 77.3 today."
Kristi's words: 4 April 2022 (Monday)
"I slept well last night. And I was excited to be able to download the audio only for all four sessions of General Conference except the Relief Society Session which wasn't available yet. Happy."
Kristi's words: 5 April, 2022 (Tuesday)
"It's 7:24am and I am at mile 96.3. The sun is shining and everything is great. People ask me if I have injuries and I am blessed to say, no. I have heard some awful blister stories but I am well."
. . . . . . . . .
Tonight I thought I'd try to call Kristi and I hit pay dirt. I was able to get her as she stopped at what appeared to her to be an old camp ground that wasn't used any more. She was fishing her head lamp out of her backpack as it was getting dar quickly and she still had 1.5 miles to go to get to the campground she wanted to stay at. She was at 111 miles!
While we were talking another 3-4 people caught up to her and said they should all just stay put and camp together. They said, "Stay with us Kristi!" So she decided to stay. She also caught sight of a lone picnic table and put her things on it. A picnic table? What a treasure.
Kristi stayed on the phone with me so I could hear their conversations. One guy was from Canada, but there was so much commotion that she didn't delve into where. They discussed 'trip names' and one of the girls laughed and said her trail name is, 'Puke & Rally'. Hahahaha Yes, it's funny that thru hikers count every ounce they pack. They go to much trouble and expense to see that their gear is the absolute lightest and toughest. Apparently booze on the trail is a necessity for some.
Kristi sat down on the picnic table bench and said, "Whew!" and they were all like, "What, what!?" and she said, "Man that feels good to sit on a chair." They laughed and laughed. Then started discussing luxuries. Puke and Rally said the folks at home kept telling her how much gas prices were going up, and they laughed because they have no need of gas unless they hitch a ride.
One of the girls said she came on the plane with her two friends who even went as far as the start of the trail...and then quit and said...we cannot do this. Basically...JUST KIDDING! And they left her there, but she was determined to keep going! Some feel the call, and many do not.
Soon Kristi broke out the food she had grilled the night before. Chicken. And she kept a piece to add to her dinner and offered the rest to her new found friends. Soon they were sharing beef jerky, and hydrating packets in a new flavor. Making jokes and having a great time. As soon as Kristi ate she was Cowboying into her bag and saying a goodnight. Sunrise comes early.
The last thing she said to me was, "Mom, I've never experienced stars like these. Last night the big dipper was brighter than the moon and I felt like I could just reach out and touch it, it was so big."
With that beautiful thought, we both wish y'all a goodnight.
No comments:
Post a Comment