June 27th, 2024
Mike Marker: 232
Miles Hiked: 12
We woke up this morning to rain pitter pattering on our tents and felt a sense of frustration as packing up in the rain is never enjoyable.
Journey let out a “I don’t want to go to school today” and I was right with him, however I wanted to get moving so that we could get into town. There are mixed reports on hitching into this town so I wanted plenty of time to try and snag a ride to resupply on food and get some rest.
We started off fast and kept the pace the entire way even with the mud and wind.
The trail today reminded me to Vermont on the AT, mud mud mud mud. To the point where you just give up and get muddy and wet.
Ross asked us if we had ever seen a baby giraffe walk and said that was what we looked like sliding all over the place.
We hit the trail head exactly 4 hours later and took off down a gravel road to Benchmark Ranch.
This was a place supposedly one could send a resupply box to instead of hitching into Augusta. We decided not to since he man charges a hefty fee to do this.
There were very few cars traveling but we threw a thumb out at each one with no luck.
We made it to benchmark and Journey decided to stay on the road in case a car came and we went to see if anyone was there.
We came across a few hikers who said no one was there managing the place but that they were trying to get a hold of a shuttle. While this conversation was happening I hear a car come and slow down and then leave.
Journey got a ride! It was someone who was giving a hitch to the trailhead and would pick us up on the way back.
When the driver came back he moved stuff around so we could all fit and we got to chatting away.
His name was Ryan and he is a cowboy born and raised in Augusta. He gave us the low down and shared that he was not participating in the coming rodeo because he is not 18 years old yet.
He was enjoyable to chat with and we all graciously thanked him when he dropped us off.
We were also lucky Ross’s dad called ahead and got us motel rooms for the night, the last two available at the motel. Score!
We all laid out our wet clothes, hopped in the shower, then went to eat.
I was craving a burger and fries so bad. We devoured food and then spent time doing laundry and resupplying on food and I spent time talking with my parents.
It was so nice to fill them in on what’s been going on.
Then around 7 we went out for pizza but the full hiker hunger hasn’t hit yet as I couldn’t eat very much of it.
The day went quick but my body needed the time off my feet so much.
We will take it easy in the morning and head back out to trail.
Iz and Oz
Izzy + Ozzy 