Oh how this trail has turned my hair gray. Oh, that’s right, it already is a shade of whitish gray courtesy of the last long distance trail I hiked. The Appalachian Trail, that is. So I guess it’s fair to say, the CDT is making me loose my hair!

We checked the weather report today and anyway you slice it, it ain’t good! So our next option is take a bus to Ghost Ranch and head Northbound. It’s much lower elevation, which means we will be climbing! At least we won’t reach snow covered peas for a few days.

Jen needed to pick up a parcel from Chama Post Office, so in reality, it all worked out. We left the comforts of our hotel and walked. Something we have greatly refined. We arrived and the gal working the front counter had not seen her packages. Oh no, this is the elusive box of cookies from Aunt Ellen. They have to be here! Thank goodness, she checked again and found both boxes, cookies, assortment of hot chocolate and Jen’s itty bitty teeny tiny light with a new charger.

With boxes in hand, we walked to Jonathan’s, aka JJ, to pick up Jen’s new and improved tarp. Thank goodness, Chama is a well-contained town. When we arrived, JJ was still working on it. Talk about a custom job. This will be a one-of-a-kind tarp that will keep her warm and dry even in an Arctic freeze! What a work of art Jonathan created.

JJ gave us a ride to the bus stop just as it was pulling up. This is a free transit that takes locals from Chama to Espenola, It runs three times a day and we climbed onboard. Next stop, Ghost Ranch.

We passed through the gate to Ghost Ranch, a unique place with landscape that I have never seen on the CDT. It is a mixture of desert meets multi-colored mesas adorned by piñon, cedars, cottonwood, cacti.

By noon, we were walking in sunshine! I had forgotten how nice it is to feel warmth deep down inside your soul. I was dressed like I just came out of the Swiss Alps. Black long sleeve shirt, white smartwool hoody, down vest with wool pants and a down skirt. I was actually hot! Don’t get me wrong, I am not complaining. However,I did think to myself, I need a tank top!

We had little to no idea as to what we should do once at this unique location. Possibly head northbound and finish up what we started before the big bad storm. This seemed like the best chance and most probable scenario to escape the weather for a minute. Once we arrived at the Visitor Center, we received a free wristband that allowed us assess to all the museums. I think I like this place.

After our introduction to Ghost Ranch, we found a campsite for the evening. It’s situated on the CDT, has running water, flush toilets, showers and our own picnic table. This is living! Plumbing is my favorite luxury item while on trail. Anytime I can turn on a faucet, flush a toilet or have warm water stream overhead, I’m one very happy camper. Then add a table to cook and eat upon, what else could a hiker dream of?

Now we have a dilemma. Should we stay or should we go? I’m thinking we are quite content to stay in this very attractive place and slackpack a couple of days. We can get our miles in without carrying our overstuffed backpacks. With the bus running all week, we can take the bus north and hike back to camp. I think we have a plan! As long as Jesus blesses it.

“You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭8‬:‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬