Leg 8: Salida to Saguache(ish)

Stats:
Distance: 8 legs, 17 segments, 40 days, 302 miles
Best food: popcorn shrimp
Wildlife sightings: marmots, picas, some deer, lotsa cows, a fox in the distance

Day 36:

We expected rain and thunderstorms and wet hiking all day today. But we outran it all! We even enjoyed the view above treeline while we walked, for once!

Hitting the point where the East and West Collegiate routes join up again felt like a big deal, and looking back on the view made us feel incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished so far.

We threw down some big miles (12.5) and camped with a lovely (only partially obstructed) view.

Day 37:

We got so lucky yesterday. And our luck held for a looooong time today too. Blue skies, amazing vistas, pretty much easy walking too.

Until about 4:30, when we were a mere mile and a half from camp. (There’s not a lot of water options this leg. We’re having to be a little stricter about where we stop.) Then the skies opened up and we ended up walking down a mud stream (formerly known as the trail), getting progressively wetter and wetter ourselves, to the only creek for 10 miles.

Of course it was fine. We all eventually got dry and warm, and Bill stayed out to cook us dinner and filter us water. Our hero!! Tomorrow there will be sun again.

Day 38:

And there was, of course! We were a little soggy getting up, but we stuffed all our wet gear in our wet packs and squished out of camp in our wet shoes, sure we’d find a bright sunny spot to dry out everything later.

We did! The cows were willing to share their huge field with us so we could sprawl out and bask in the sunshine.

Knowing that afternoon thunderstorms were definitely bearing down on us, we decided to do things differently this time. At 3:00, we pitched the tent and took shelter just as the first drops began to fall.

One and a half hours and definitely the right decision later, we came out long enough to cook and eat dinner. Then ducked back inside when new sprinkles began — warm and dry!!

Day 39-40:

Boy, it rained all night and we were glad to be dry all night! It was no slouch of a day, with 15 miles until the highway and several (not insignificant) ups and downs to conquer.

But really, it was a pleasant day. We accomplished 8 miles by lunch, then hit a big benchmark! We may have to start counting down soon.

We cruised down a dirt road to the highway, just as our perky wagon drove up and just as the clouds really started to threaten.

This was a tricky resupply, as there are really no tourist towns anywhere close by. But, really, we did deserve a break!

Nana and Baba figured us out some rooms in Alamosa and heroically drove us aaaaall the way there and back to the trail. Whew! But first we took some time to swim and watch the Olympics, and even fit in a carnival and rodeo. Our heroes!