Last night was windy as hell! It was the first night we had to pitch the tarp and we had to use seven guylines on the windward side to keep it stable. We were exhausted and riding the struggle bus. For a first tired and bickery night, it didn’t go too badly. We’re working on our hike communication–expressing what we need, asking for a moment when we need it, and making sure we each know that our frustrations are not with one another (except when they are, LOL).
We slept all night on the ground with the wolf spiders, sun spiders, fire ants, and God knows who else, but if there were any visitors they didn’t wake us up. The only thing that did was the wind against the tarp and are sweaty bodies from staying tightly wrapped in our quilts to protect against the other ground dwelling desert life.
Prior to day one, we dropped a food box in Hachita to force ourselves into a town to reevaluate how we are doing. Radar, an AT through hiker many times over, maintains water caches for the CDT and picked us up at highway 9. We rode to the general store where our resupply was waiting and decided to take the opportunity to stay in the community center overnight. Our legs could use some light healing time. This is against our nature, hence the forethought of forcing ourselves into an air conditioned building with burritos to make the decision.
Bless you both. I’ve been thinking of you as we – your neice Kiarra and I – work in the wind cleaning an old garage for Rodger. I know that corridor your walking through. It will pass, however slowly. I know it’s windy and dusty. You’re both so brave and tough for doing this. Type two fun will turn into type one real soon.
We love you both. Take care and be careful.
Love
Dad and Jo