Day 25: Slacking Southbound

Hold Me Down or I’ll Float Away

If you’ve ever lost a lot a weight, you’ve no doubt had the sensation that climbing stairs just got a lot easier. I lost 30 pounds between yesterday and today. Thirty pounds of backpack.

That’s right, I’m a slacker again. A slack-packer. Mrs. The Incident returned yesterday, which means most of my gear now sits in the van while I walk. I practically flew up today’s climbs, averaging 3 mph this morning, and a little slower in the afternoon when I started taking more breaks.

Mrs. The Incident Gets a Trail Name

Speaking of Mrs. The Incident, she is now “North Star.” She is my compass and keeps me, our family, and many others pointed in the right direction. Plus, she’s navigationally-challenged, adding an ironic element to the name.

Because of the latter characteristic, we decided that it would be better to make the complicated drive out to Log Cabin Drive together. That way, North Star need only retrace her steps back to Hot Springs while I hiked south to town.

Hiking South

I like hiking south because I get to see more people, some of whom I haven’t seen for a long time. Today, they came at me in pulses, probably timed by which restaurant meal they left Hot Springs after.

Some looked miserable, plodding along with grim faces, leaning forward under the weight of a newly filled pack. I saw one young man leaning over, gasping for breath, shoulders on his trekking poles, staring at the ground. He had ear buds in, so he neither saw or heard me approach and stop three feet in front of him. I finally had to wave my hiking poles under his face to get his attention, after which we both exchanged apologies and went on.

Others walk with energy and determination, greeting everyone they see. PhD and Brinn (a.k.a. Girly, though its not her trail name) fit that category. They like my dogs and the van, and always stop to chat, which makes me happy.

Of Mice and Bears

They had tried to camp in the Rich Mountain lookout tower, but got overrun by mice as soon as the sun set. Then they climbed down to camp at ground level only to discover a mama bear and cub were hunting food bags. As they left, I asked him what his PhD was in and he replied, “I’m a Privy-Hunting-Dude.” LOL.

I also saw Wheels (now hiking solo and doing huge miles), Mantra and her crew, my anonymous neighbor from the awful Alpine Court motel in Hot Springs, Dr. Doolittle, and Skittish (now hiking with a five-man entourage). Then I passed Soco, whom I hadn’t seen since Georgia. He said his brother had gone home and that he’d been snowed on in the Smokies last week. I’m glad I missed out on that.

Trail Notes

Today’s hike covered a cool section of trail. Log Cabin Drive is the home of the Southern Cookie Lady, who gives free cookies to thru-hikers. But we showed up before 8:00 and thought it best to let her sleep in. But I did give the heads up to all the hikers I saw going north.

I also got my first taste of a road walk, a ½ mile of gravel road near Mill Ridge. Just after the road section, the trail passed a lovely mill pond with benches to sit and contemplate. So I found a bench under a blooming Pacific Dogwood, stared at the water, and finished my daily meditation. As I left, I passed some day hikers at the other end of the pond. Day hikers are so clean, well dressed, and smell like soap.

After Spring Comes…?

As I started the final, steep, two-mile, 1,000-foot descent into Hot Springs, I caught a scent familiar to all Arizonans: Heat. The air still had a chill, but the sun was bright enough by early afternoon to heat the rocks and bare dirt of the trail enough to create the hint of summer heat. I should soak up all the chill I can. Summer is coming.

Today’s flowers: Wild Geraniums, Trillium fields, Mountain Laurel, Bristly Locust, Brambles (who knew they had flowers?). Plus, Rattlesnake Weed, even though it doesn’t flower, it deserves a shout out.

Daily Stats:

• Start: Log Cabin Dr. (Mile 291.3)
• End: Hot Springs (Mile 275.0)
• Weather: Blue sky, cool then warm
• Earworm: Let it Be (Beatles)
• Meditation: Jn 13:34-35
• Plant of the Day: Flowering Pacific Dogwood
• Best Thing: Slackpacking!!
• Worst Thing: Mrs. The Incident has a nasty cold