Day 13 & 14- Easter in Oracle

Day 13

I woke early with the town song in my head “town, town, town, town”. Eric and I used to sing it merrily as we descended back into civilization. I moved quickly and took minimal breaks. The trail was mostly a descent from Dan’s Sadde. The trail continued to follow the rocky ridgeline while dipping on and off a very rocky rough road. I saw a small all terrain vehicle pass with hunters and hunting dogs. The morning was warm but I appreciated the small breezes. The heavy winds of the prior week seem to be gone. I’ve heard the upcoming week will be very hot. I’ll likely have to change my hiking strategy again, starting even earlier with a long lunch break during the mid day heat.

 

I stopped at High Jicks Ranch to use their hose to fill up my water bottles. The community has been very good about providing water during these longer stretches. I also hit the 200 mile marker! Two mile markers in one week, that’s how intense it was. I made it down to the road leading into Oracle by 1pm and contacted Anne, a trail angel who hosts AZT hikers. She picked me up in record time and took to me do a quick resupply at the dollar general. I still have a lot of food leftover from my Colossal Caves resupply, will need to be better about that in the future.

We arrived at her home and I cleaned up and started some much needed laundry. Her home is inviting and filled with a some very sweet dogs. The horses and chicken roam the yard and there are plenty of places to sit and relax. I felt very comfortable and enjoyed my time off trail.

 

Tacos were not in the cards for me again but a burger with guacamole and jalapeños was! They do not mess around with their jalapeños here! A kind local at the bar gave me some details on the town of Oracle, a mining town that still has active mines. I had also arrived in time for the Oak festival, a celebration for the Arizona verison of an oak tree.

I made it back to Anne’s full of delicious food and ready to relax. I made some calls to family and enjoyed my incredibly comfy bed!

Day 14

I slept very well and was delightfully woken by a rooster outside my window, very idyllic! It was Easter sunday and Anne invited me to stay for lunch. At first I declined planning to get 15 or so miles in but then reconsidered. It would be nice to have a home cooked meal and a few more hours of rest. I enjoyed a really nice and plentiful Easter lunch and was driven back to the trail. I didn’t make it far as the heat was rough and my stomach full. I opted to settle for a nero and camp 7 miles out of town.

I could hear the little cries of little pikas or some sort of similar small critter. The cows lumbered around my campsite and called to each other. I enjoyed a lazy night and some nice color in the sky.