Coming into town I pass Veterans Park, and someone left their tank.
Later, passing some houses, I had to admire this custom hotrod, especially the rust finish.
I get resupply at Saucedo’s Supermarket, hiker friendly. Outside I find a spot in the shade to repackage food, and do my work while chatting with Mesa Man. I am wrapping tortillas around slabs of cheese to make trail burritos when a woman walking a dog passes by. I offer her a chunk of cheese for the dog, but Sativa the PitBull has other ideas, thinking my stack of burritos in easy reach is an open invitation, before any of us humans have a chance to react.
The woman is mortified, but Mesa Man and I are Laughing Out Loud, and I assure her it will make a good trail story, which I present to you now.
Jersey also comes by to chat. He and Mesa Man might share a room. Later I see Tenderfoot, who also plans to stay the night.
The adobe-style library has a good charging spot for hikers, and friendly staff, cold water, good Wifi, and restrooms.
I relax at the library, sometimes going out to nearby shops for snacks, then coming back to enjoy the cool inside space, not departing until the worst of the heat has passed at 5PM.
This entrance onto trail from the road seems a little sketchy. No gate?
The route crosses a wide plain, with grasses and patches of bare dirt.
Later, we pass a colony of these plants.
At dusk the lights from Lordsburg and Interstate 10 shimmer in the heat.
Near water cache box 4 I meet Jersey, from Tennessee.
The route traverses a valley floor with the first appearance of grasses, tan contrasting with the dark green creosote bush. The CDT signs are spaced far apart, and I get off trail dozens of times today. Wind is often too loud to listen to audio.
Later the route enters some low black hills with scattered volcanic rock.
My water filter gets its first use at a tire waterer.
Finally I get to my last water cache box, number 5, and look for a campsite out of view of an enormous ranch house. Tomorrow is Lordsburg, and I will enjoy snacks, but not stay overnight, for the trip is still just beginning.
