Day 129

I awoke.  It was a great sight: the sun rose on the canyons and mountains. I was able to witness it. I was happy I decided to slow things down the night before and sleep.

I used the porta potty at the construction site. I ate a few poptarts Debbie and Rachel had given me, downed a gatorade, and hit the road.

It was a cloudy morning. I chipped away at the miles. Vegetation grew thicker.

At 10:30a.m. I made it to the picnic area at mile marker 35. I retrieved the gallon of water Lee and I left! It was perfect, because I had just finished a gallon. I was surprised it was still there, but then realized how few people travel out this way.

I hung my hammock for a nice long siesta. 

Time passed.

I awoke at 3:30p.m. to a few tourists pulling into the picnic area. They didn’t stay long. I broke camp, repacked the buggy, and ate some food. Canned beans, canned fish, some crackers, and tortillas. I hydrated. I hit the road.

Most of the clouds had cleared, and it was hot! I started making my way out of Sanderson Canyon:

I made my way down to the Marathon basin:

At mile marker 45, I retrieved the final water Lee and I had placed! Again, it was perfect timing, I had just finished another gallon. 

Rick and Monica, and their son Eric pulled over! They had heard about me from Fr. Pius at church in Del Rio! They were headed out to California. They gave me ice cold gatorades and “energy balls”! It was the perfect fuel I needed. Roadside visits are the best! We parted ways.

Sun set.

At dark, I started scouting places to sleep. There wasn’t much to utilize, so I kept moving. 

I listened to music and started herping.

I watched fireworks from Marathon off in the distance. 

I made it to Marathon just before 11 p.m. It was loud, people were celebrating the 4th of July weekend. 

I made it to a visitors center. It was just a one room shack on the side of the road. I may or may not have slept where I probably wasn’t supposed to. I slept inside. I felt safe.