Today was officially Gail's first day back on the CDT. She is in Silver City with friend Sharon, picking up where she left the official trail last spring due to wildfires. It was at Silver City where hikers were starting to pick alternate routes in hopes of going around the fires.
So, today's hike was an unfinished road walk into town (Sharon had picked her up at the trail.) "Today Sharon drops me off at the driveway lined with dozens of old toilets to finish my roadwalk into town. I hike out tomorrow. We are staying in same old historic hotel and having dinner at same favorite restaurant to get me back in the vibe."
I find the toilety kickoff amusing since she will be mostly without sanitation. I took her to lunch before I dropped her off at the airport, and she was very impressed by the hand dryer in the bathroom. I told her that there were going to be none of those on the trail.
Tomorrow's hike starts with breakfast at restaurant followed by driving the already-done road walk out of town up to the trail that was closed, and then starting off on foot.
Gail is as usual ever so slightly grumpy getting started - it's her special way of being nervous. I'm sure I'll get the usual happy happy joy joy calls from now on though. There are wildflowers (I almost accidentally typed wildfires again) and conditions are good.
She will pull into Gila Hot Springs on Monday.
