Thankfully, I was close to a major highway, and after a few hours in the shade of the bridge, I walked up the road to the intersection and stuck out a thumb. After only 20 minutes or so, a car passed, then pulled a U-turn and came back to get me. They were headed my direction and felt sorry to see a "little girl alone hitch-hiking" and felt impelled to pick me up. Works for me! It was a mother and her two grown children, returning from visiting grandma's gave on Mother's Day. After a quick trip up the road, I was checked into a motel with AC and chugging a large bottle of Gatorade. The hotel manager was shocked to see a hiker come in this late, and proceeded to show me the forecast for the next 4 days. Daily highs? 104, 104, 108, 108. And to boot, a wildfire was burning just north of here, and threatening to burn across the trail if it hadn't already. Hmm. Plan B?
Well, it just so happened that another hiker was in town, and after we discussed options, I decided the risk was too great, and I was throwing in the towel. He opted to keep going. I hope he stays safe! Things quickly started to fall into place. I was able to contact the company that was interested in interviewing me for summer position working for Adventure Treks, and was able to start that process. I also got a hold of Casa de Luna and Jackass, and decided that instead of jumping north on the AZT, I would return to California and do my part to help the Wolverines and Trail Angels. Back to the PCT I go!
I am saying goodbye to the AZT after completing 1/3 of the trail, and going to try and earn my trail angel wings. Hopefully I can help Mama T and Papa Joe and make the class of 2011 proud. I will be helping out until Memorial Day weekend, and then I will head back to Park City and return back home the the family I nanny for. I'm excited to see the little rascals again and get some fun times in before they take off for the summer. Hopefully I too will be headed out for the summer and be leading a sweet trip in Cali! None of this was the plan a month ago, but it doesn't sound too bad!?
Now for a few pictures....
mexico!
papa sneaking into mexico...nice fence....
gila monster!
my cave shelter...and one flick of the bic fire
hard to spot...but yes, that is a dead bird floating in my water source
...and finally, rinse #2 of my socks.
And in parting...the wisdom of the sign on my motel room wall...
"How we spend our days, is how we spend our life."
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