Day 12 mile 132 to mile 146.7

A skunk got in a fight near our tent last night and it was windy again so no one got good sleep but we managed to wake up around 5:45 anyways. It was a beautiful, cool morning but we knew it was going to be hot again so we started hiking by 6:45. Our first 5 miles to a spring were nice and mild. We were cruising along just enjoying the day. I was determined to have a better day than yesterday.

The spring was 1/4 mile down a steep little road, which is never a good sign because you always have to walk back up that hill carrying a bunch of heavy water. A shaded spot was waiting for us at the bottom. Jake got two liters of water for us from the spring while I sat and stared off in the distance and chatted with some other hikers that were there. Right as we were packing up to leave the group we have been leapfrogging with showed up and we all said we were aiming for Mary’s water cache so we’d see each other later.

After getting water it started to get hot and we were climbing exposed areas. I was feeling pretty good, jamming to some tunes, and then the heat started to get to me. I definitely didn’t get enough water and was just struggling. We had planned to do 7 more miles to a lunch spot so I tried to just put my head down and get there. Once we made it to the planned spot we made a little home in the shade and I took a nap. I passed out hard because I never even heard Jake make his lunch. When I came to I got a little tuna wrap together and drank a little water. I knew we’d still have two miles to get to the water cache so I was trying to conserve water but it was difficult.

Around 3 we had lost our shade and took off to do the two hot miles to Mary’s. I had maybe one good gulp of water left by the time we got there and needed water so badly. Mary’s cache turned out to be the best thing ever. We just so happened to show up on the one day of the year Mary shows up and makes food for hikers! What are the chances?! This little bit of good luck turned my entire day around. I am so grateful to Mary for what she does for all the hikers but especially for this completely unexpected bit of trail magic. Before we even got water we said hello to everyone there and I saw some fruit in a bowl and asked if I could have an orange. I then proceeded to eat that orange like an animal. It was possibly the best orange I have ever eaten in my life.

Jake and I went to the water tank to filter some water and could smell the food being made and immediately started drooling over it. I didn’t even know I was hungry! We went to chat with the rest of the hikers and someone asked how I liked my pack. I love it, but the chest strap can be annoying, no longer though because Dean has a whole kit with him and has been fixing bags for people. Thanks Dean!

Mary came around to take food orders and gave us the option of Mexican, teriyaki or vegetarian. Jake and I got the Mexican burrito that was piled high with grilled chicken, rice, refried beans, salsa, cilantro, and green onions. I cannot express how insanely delicious this was. We also had the option of a pop, I got a cola & Jake chose root beer, pop has never tasted better. There was also pie! Neither of us got pie because all we have been eating is sugary things and that burrito had seriously filled me up.

After a while we told everyone we would see them tomorrow at Paradise Valley Cafe and got ready to go. We finally left around 5:45 to go find a camp spot a little further up the trail. A nice little spot tucked away from the trail was a perfect place to enjoy a beautiful sunset with my favorite person. Onto the cafe tomorrow and then town in two days!