After checking out all water info on FarOut, I saw there was a spring near our camp. Jen and I were up early and headed out before sunrise. We walked straight to the spring. I was hopeful as there were lots of cow prints headed that way. When I got there, the spring was dry. Not a drop of water to be found.

Today’s focus was clearly on finding water. There was a water Cashe up ahead by fifteen plus miles. But I really am not a fan of cashes because there’s no guarantee that there will be water when you arrive. So I would rather have a creek or spring or even a cattle trough.As bad as it sounds, it’s better than nothing. Well most of the time it is.

The morning was so nice. New Mexico is my favorite state. I may have said that about all the states, but I hadn’t been here yet. It’s relatively flat. The elevation is around 8,000’ so much more better and manageable. The terrain is graded and has little steep climbs or descents. I think that’s why so many hikers go Northbound. It’s an easy breaking in period.

We stopped regularly to take photos. Fearless is a little Ansel Adams. She takes pictures of everything! I love that because it makes the hiking slow paced. We are in no rush, and that’s pretty obvious by the fact that we don’t do big miles. Fifteen to twenty is our max. I’m good with that. It keeps us from catastrophic injuries and we still are on track for reaching the border by our self-imposed date of Thanksgiving.

After a short break to shed our morning extra layer of clothing, we found a good sized puddle of water in a deep hallowed out rock. The water was cold and very few bugs were floating in the water. Both Jen and I filled up, not knowing if we’d find anything else. And yes, we filtered the water.

After lunch, we headed straight to the Cattle Tank and Tire Holding Tank. The Cattle Tank was bone dry. In fact it was terribly rusty, so it must’ve been empty for quite some time. Yet, there was a good sized herd of cattle so they must be drinking somewhere. That’s when we spotted the big oversized tire. That’ll have water. Fearless went over and was outright disgusted! There’s no way I am drinking that. And she was right. It was infested with dead flys and bugs and all sorts of things you wouldn’t want inside your gut. We moved on without H2O

Two miles up the trail was a possible water Cashe. It was getting close to dark and I was literally praying that we would find water there. I had been very conservative about drinking today and I was getting a bit concerned. Sure enough when we arrived, there was five to six gallons of water lined up under a tree. Glorious wonderful water! Thank you Trail Angel for supplying this Cashe. I never know who does this but we are eternally grateful.

After filling up, our next bit of business was finding a home for the night. And you thought backpacking was nothing but fun in the sun. This is, in fact, a lot of fun but there’s some days that seem more work than play. After milling around for a bit, trying to find a couple of trees for Fearless’ hammock, we finally agreed that trees are dwindling and maybe it’s time to try out the tent.

I helped Jen with her new borrowed tent and she succumbed rather well. It’s a Gossamer “The One” which is the same tent I used for years. We had it up and pitched in no time. It may never be Jen’s go-to but it’ll serve her well in the desert. Except for the fact that she is on the ground and we saw our first tarantula today. Big hairy spider! Definitely want to keep your shoes in your tent and the doors zipped closed. With that being said, it’s time for bed.

“When the poor and needy search for water and there is none, and their tongues are parched from thirst, then I, the LORD, will answer them. I, the God of Israel, will never abandon them. I will open up rivers for them on the high plateaus. I will give them fountains of water in the valleys. I will fill the desert with pools of water. Rivers fed by springs will flow across the parched ground.” Isaiah‬ ‭41‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬