Today was the first of many things on trail. I woke up to a rooster crowing, before the sun rose. Then a cow mooed’ for quite awhile. I also had an extremely difficult time unzipping my tent, being there was 2-3” of snow and frost attached to the vestibule and side walls. Yep, many firsts!
Jen and I hit the trail just after 8am. We were not the last to leave but close to it. Foggy and Choker were still milling around. Everyone was headed to Pie Town. The roadwalk continued with easy terrain and most of the mud and puddles had dissipated. We arrived in Pie Town and met Paul. He’s the owner, operator, head chef, mail delivery person, and well, anything else that needs to be done at the Gathering Place. Fearless and I sat down with four other hikers who were finishing up slices of pie for breakfast. Why not?
We ordered omelettes with a side of pancakes. I so miss a good breakfast. Beef sticks and cheese are definitely not doing it for me any longer! But an omelette with bacon and tons of vegetables, now that’s breakfast. We finished with a couple of cups of coffee and postponed pie for later. As we were talking with Posiden, Jen came up with a brilliant idea. Posiden has a van, and is willing to transport our ten pound food bags to Davila Ranch. Brilliant!
After eating, drying out the wet gear from mornings hard frost, we headed out for an afternoon stroll. The weather has been perfect! I know, it’s about time. We finished up our miles for the day when Nutella and Bat6 drove up. They are Sobo’s turned Trail Angels. They stopped and gave us soda and promised to come to the ranch and make us dinner! Seriously?!?! We will be there.
Before long, there was close to ten of us at Davila Ranch. Foggy & Choker, Sundial & Low Bat, Banchee & Bumble Berry and Fearless and me. Everyone had got word that Trail Magic was coming our way. We’ve have been recipients of more than our fair share of goodwill on the CDT, but no one has offered to cook for us.
By 7pm, Nutella and Bat6 arrived and started preparing a feast for us. All the food and more that hungry hikers can eat. I had a hamburger, two hot dogs, chips, margarita and smores! I know, that’s a lot of food. We all sat around the camp fire and talked about trail stories till hiker midnight. That’s translated to 9pm.
Today was a feast! Breakfast at the Gathering Place, Burgers and dogs at Davila Ranch, with Lemon Custard pie and Pear Ginger Pie, just because. My belly will be asking me why I ate all that but boy oh boy, what a great day!
“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.”
Galatians 6:9-10 NLT
