3 Highlights:
• Red dirt and views of civilization among New Mexico’s rock formations
• Reconnecting with friends and family
• Cooking steak dinner at the hotel
Daily Summary:
• Distance hiked: 25 km
• Starting point: km 3778
• Ending point: Cuba, km 3806
• Weather conditions: Hot
Daily Reflections:
So, I wake up at 6:45—late for me. I guess that’s what a cold, restless night gets you. Of course, I had to leave the tent for the obligatory nature call in the middle of the night. I mean, why does it always have to happen right when you’re perfectly warm and cozy in your sleeping bag? Classic.
Anyway, I start the hike towards Cuba. Red dirt everywhere—suddenly I’m in Tanzania or something. The dirt road seems like the better option, so I take it. Saved myself 5 kilometers, but naturally, Cuba greets me with highway trash everywhere. People here just chuck garbage out the window like it’s a sport. I pick up one plastic bag. Yeah, I’m basically a hero now.
Almost got attacked by a loose pit bull. What’s with the unchained dogs around here? It’s like they’re running a local “Hiker Biting Contest.” Seriously, it feels a little… degenerate.
Semper Dry is already at the gas station, sulking about his missing solar panels that didn’t arrive at the post office. He woke up at 5:25 to get there on time—bad news. I mean, you gotta feel for the guy. But hey, lunch at Cuba Cafe was decent and price-worthy—not a phrase I get to use often these days.
Then, the laundromat: Rampage with Dwayne Johnson is playing on TV. I mean, of all things… Rampage. We grabbed groceries after that, and I made steak and salad at the hotel. A solid dinner. Semper got us some red wine too. Cooking dinner in a hotel room—now that’s what I call luxury.
In between cooking, I fought with Amazon (surprise, surprise) but managed to buy new shoes from another site. They’ll be waiting for me in Silver City, just in time for the final stretch.
Now I’m aiming to update social media before an early night. It’s 8:30 p.m. and I am done.
