There is something beautiful about being inside when there’s a downpour. We spent the morning doing chores. First bit of business was heading to the Post Office. Most people would jump in their car and drive there. But our car is our feet. We wanted to get there as soon as it opened. Jen and I headed out for the two plus mile walk. We hadn’t made it quarter mile before the rain started. This is getting ridiculous. We stuck out our thumbs and cars whizzed past us. Doesn’t anyone feel bad that we are getting soaked. Finally Diane pulls over. She was just getting off the graveyard shift at Walmart.
Diane drove us, waited for us and drove us back to the hotel, with our resupply boxes. Our next dilemma was finding a ride to Albuquerque so I can go to REI. Diane calls her sister Darla and secures us a trip to and from. Wow, we are so fortunate.
Post Office, REI to replace my broken hip belt buckle, then back to the room to get our food packed. Dinner at Denny’s, then finally Walmart for last minute items. In bed by 10pm and out in the morning. Both Jen and I are wondering when do we get a day off in which we can just rest? Not until we get back home!
Our plan to getting to Pie Town is find a five miles hitch down I-40 to County Road 117. This will set us up for a long road walk. Why on earth is the CDT on a two-lane road is beyond my understanding. It’s an asphalt roadway with literally no shoulders. We walked for a very long, long time.
Fearless’ friend Grouse caught up with us. None of us like the road especially since the cars are whizzing by at 60mph. Finally a flatbed truck stops in the middle of the road and asks if we want a ride? You know it! The three of us jump up on the flatbed and we’re off. What a blessing even if it was a bit scary without side rails. We all held for dear life. If one fell off, we’d all slide together, as a neat little package.
Fifteen miles later, we were closing in on the Pie Town turnoff and a dirt road. Our driver pulled over, nodded us farewell and within thirty minutes, we were back to walking on a proper roadway, wide and asphalt be gone.
At Pie Town Road, Fearless and I stopped for lunch, and Grouse continued on. We’ll definitely see him again. The hikers he was walking with, Newt and 23, are doing the 24 hour challenge. Walk for 24 hours without stopping. No thank you! Grouse decided not to partake, but instead walk with the rest of us sane people.
We still had another sixteen miles to TLC Ranch. After lunch, we put our heads down and walked the rest of the day. It was a dirt road, fairly straight and flat. That was doable and we made good miles. We ran into Low Bat and Sundial. Everyone had the same idea about staying at the ranch tonight. The options out here are pretty slim, and mostly private property.
As I was closing in on the ranch, the sun was setting and the moon was rising. It was quite the contrast with a colorful sky both to the east and the west. A Rancher and his wife stopped and talked for a bit. He was checking out his cattle and the roadways after all the storms. It’s a tough life being a rancher but he seemed to enjoy this life. If you can find a job, or better yet a career that you love, then you win! The two were like teenagers driving around and checking on their cattle. What a life they have made for themselves.
Around 7pm, I pulled into the TLC Ranch. Larry the owner, has quite a piece of property and welcomes hikers to sleep on his land, and supplies water at no expense. It is another unexpected place that you just have to experience. God’s people loving on one another. Thank you Larry for your hospitality and support of this hiking community!
“Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!” Hebrews 13:2 NLT
