July 6th, 2024
Mile Marker: Anaconda Alternate
Miles Hiked: 17
We woke up this morning around 4:40 AM with hopes to get into Anaconda, Montana by morning time for a breakfast buffet meal and to finish the road walking before too many cars and intense heat.
I always love waking up early and catching the rising sun, this morning was no different. It was beautiful.
We started walking a little after 5 AM, ten or so minutes after Robot left. We decided not to walk together since Robot has a freakishly fast road walk pace and could get to town way faster than if he stayed with us.
We cruised on the gravel road and I just loved the crisp morning air and calmness around. No one was awake yet besides a couple dogs protecting their property.
We kept a steady pace as we watched the mountains change colors with the rising sun, Journey and I guessing what time the mountains and us would be fully lit.
We also found this neat bulletin of all the different types of prints one can see. We have seen a lot of moose, bear, and deer throughout this whole trip but I’m intrigued to see what other prints I can try to point out now.
The gravel road turned into asphalt when we had about 10 miles to go and almost instantly felt my feet start to swell.
I was going to be in the pain cave this morning and found myself trying to distract myself with other thoughts about what I wanted to eat in town and what all I needed to resupply on.
The two lane road then turned into full on highway and I found myself a little nervous with the cars zooming by but kept my eyes on the big American flag waving knowing it would get closer and closer as I got to town.
Some people waved at us and some people gave us weird looks. I always felt like the people who waved are the people familiar with the trail.
Finally we arrived in Anaconda and went straight to a restaurant to eat breakfast. Unfortunately they no longer have the breakfast buffet but they did have breakfast and I was a very hungry Brown Sugar.
I ordered some eggs and pancakes and ate it in one gulp it felt like.
We met back up with Robot there to talk more about logistics. Robot decided he was going to head out the next day since he didn’t feel like he needed a zero and Journey and I plan to take a double zero so that his shoes can come in the mail.
Neither of us wanted to double zero but we can’t pass up getting new shoes. It’s sad to see Robot move on since we have enjoyed hiking with him but at the same time that’s how trail life is. People come and go and you never know how long you will get with them so it’s always best to make it worth it in the time you have. And, you never know, the trail works in mysterious ways and maybe we will see him down the road again.
Journey and I got some supplies at the local grocery store and I found some delicious cinnamon rolls. I was quite shocked at how good they were.
We then tried to go to the outfitters to find some new shoes for me and came up short. We then found a place in Butte, Montana that had the shoes I was looking for.
We tried to get an Uber or Lyft for over an hour to finding out that doesn’t really work here.
I went to the hotel office to ask about a ride and they let me know one of the family members could take us for a cheap price. Perfect!
We got a ride with Nour who is from Lebanon and moved out here in March to be with his wife. He claims he likes Anaconda since it’s a smaller town but still feels like he is adjusting to life in America.
He was incredibly nice and waited outside the store for us and was willing to take us any where.
I couldn’t find the exact shoe I wanted but decided on some Timp 4 shoes and am hoping I don’t get any blisters. Fingers crossed!
We then came back, did a few more chores and met with Robot for dinner at O’bella’s. It was said to be one of the best and recommended highly from Noro.
The place was packed but we managed to get a table within 20 minutes. The food was exactly what we needed, breadsticks, chicken Alfredo, and tiramisu for dessert. It was all so yummy!
I’m so very full and tired and am so excited to sleep in tomorrow and rest my body for a couple of days.
Iz and Oz
Izzy + Ozzy 