The Day The Walking Stopped.

Another couple of weeks have passed and so have the aches and pains of walking. We walked into Durango with Steve and Rita (Kasey's parents) who had met us at Gudy's rest stop, which was about 4 miles from the finish. We hurried along the last three days so we would not have to be on the trail another night. It was great but we are glad to be able to duck indoors when it starts raining! We did about 25 miles a day-ish for a few days to accomplish this. Woo Hoo!

 

The cold above 12,000 feet was better than the hot days because we didn't feel like we needed to bathe as much.

 

 We got back to Creede after another respite from the trail to work a couple of shifts. Remember we had planned to complete the CT in one go but had to rest to fix KC's knee. I'm glad because I had a bad Achilles issue that needed some rest also. Shhhhh! Don't tell KC.

 

Some of the best places to walk were from Creede to Durango. Our favorites were the Weminuche Wilderness , The Grenadiers, and then into Durango. But really Segments 24 and 25 were our super favorites. High mountain landscapes with jagged peaks and open expanses where one can see the trail extend forward for miles. We are used to the mountains from Denver through the Collegiate Range so to us, those have become fairly mundane.

 

 

This night we went up high and stayed there above 12,000 feet for more than three days.

The wind howled like a hurricane all night and then continued for two days. It made our noses peel.

Thankfully we had dehydrated lasagna to ease the suffering.

 

 

Dora the Explorer!

 

 

See the resemblance?

 

All told we were on the trail for 24 days, four of which were half days or less. It was a memorable experience! I wish I could say that it changed our lives or something huge, but it didn't. It was beautiful and gave us more ideas for more adventures. KC was planning more suffering as we were suffering. I think everyone or everyone that is capable, should have to walk a longer trail such as this one.

 

 

 

In the background is a lake that we would like to come back to soon. Near Lake City maybe?

Crazy awesome landscape everywhere.

 

 

 



 Over yet another pass...

 

 

 

And another...

 

 

This is the only way to roll! Notice the size of that pack.

 

 

 

Granola lunch stop. Mmmm!

 

We saw a guy here at this lake with a 70 lb. pack who told us that that was how real men hiked. Oh yeah, it was 5 days into his trip and we were about two days from the end. Also he had the pack on the ground and was taking pictures of ducks!

 

 

 

???

 

More of the same. And have we mentioned how awesome these Dirty Girl Gaiters are?!

 

 

Seconds from the finish...funny how it just ends after walking about 22 miles a day for three weeks... Now what?

 

Yay family!

 

 

 

THE END!