September 13th, 2024
Mile Marker: 1928.3
Miles Hiked: 3
We woke up this morning chilly with the cool air but happy with the bright blue sky. It was town day and so needed. I didn’t sleep too well at the highest elevation yet of 11,500 feet and aunt flow arrived and she is not happy.
We only had 3 ish miles to get to Monarch Pass to hitch into Salida. The miles flew by with epic sun shining views.
We made it to Monarch Pass around 8:30 and I initially expected it to be a fast hitch.
I thought wrong. We stood smiling, waving, sticking our thumbs out waiting for someone to pull over to no avail. What in the world.
Monarch Pass has a building with a gift shop, a few groceries, and restaurant inside. Aster had texted a trail angel for a ride and found out we would have to wait an additional 45 minutes for him to arrive. We then could either wait in the restaurant or continue to hitch.
We decided to stay inside and wait and while sitting, a man came by and asked if we wanted a ride into Salida.
Of freaking course.
We declined the man since we knew someone else was already coming.
Once the trail angel arrived, he looked like a current thru hiker himself, with wild hair and hiker clothes and told us “There is no backseat but I figured you guys would be fine with it.”
Which of course we were. We crammed into the back and rode into Salida.
First order of business was to get breakfast. We decided on Tony’s Waffle and Coffee and I was very pleased with my mocha latte, chocolate chip pancakes, and egg sandwich. (I was hungryyyyy).
After filling our bellies it was time to do all the town chores. I always feel like I am racing to get stuff done so that I can have more time to relax in the hotel.
We went to the local gear store so I could get either a new rain coat or poncho. Thankfully I scored their last poncho, which was way cheaper. My current rain jacket is starting to leak through again. Since it’s not completely ruined, I figured a poncho over it would do the trick.
Then we went to the post office so I could pick up a box with my pants, gloves, and new contacts.
Afterwards we went to the grocery store and walked around with my backpack sitting in the cart like a child would and filling my cart with four days of food.
While checking out I told the cashier I didn’t need a bag since all the food was going into my backpack. He snorted and said “I’d like to see that.” Which… it all was but outside of the boxes they came in. I’ll show you!
We then finally started the mile and half to our hotel and I could not wait. I tested out my sleeping pad to see if there was a new hole but saw that the tape over the old hole is no longer working well and patched it again. We organized gear and I realized I wanted to send some stuff back home.
This meant walking back downtown. Darn it!
So Journey and I made the trek back since he needed a new sleeping pad too. After all said and done we made it back to the hotel around 5 PM. Today was flying by too fast.
We took showers and I called my parents. While on the phone, Moxie, a friend from the AT walked into our hotel room.
Moxie had reached out to me when I posted about starting and to let her know when I was close to Salida.
That day was fast approaching and I reached out and timing worked out for her to come out and visit.
Moxie and I met on the AT while she was hiking with her brother Tumbleweed. She was only 19 and out for a life changing adventure. We never hiked together but saw each other sporadically and always spent a good amount of time chitchatting.
After the AT, Moxie and I stayed in touch and became sort of pen pals while I was away in Ethiopia. Writing letters is always uplifting for me and it was a neat way for us to stay in touch.
Once I popped off the phone with my parents, we gave each other a huge bear hug. We had not seen each other in 7 years since the AT. Both of us having lived so much life in the meantime.
We all chatted in the hotel for a while then once our laundry was done headed out for some Mexican food.
It was joyous reminiscing about the AT and sharing our current trail stories. However, Moxie and I both cannot remember when we first met or what our interaction was but remember seeing and talking to each other at different points on the trail.
Moxie has always felt like a little sister to me. I wanted to look out for her then on the AT and now once again. She is a ball of kindness and sincerity and it was neat to see the woman she has grown to become.
I’m excited for her and her future as she has dreams I hope she pursues.
It was a short visit but my cup was so full. What a treat it was to see an old friend. To merge my two worlds of AT and CDT.
We said our see ya laters, gave Moxie big hugs, and headed into the hotel. It was time to pack up our bags and do last minute chores. It has been quite a full day.
I’m beyond sleepy.
Night Night!
Iz and Oz
Izzy + Ozzy 