North of MT TAYLOR, NM
I slept in a bit until I heard the wind picking up and saw clouds rolling in. I hurried into packing ahead of the rain which never came
My fuel canister ran out while making oatmeal, but it was just fine warm and thin. I have another canister for subsequent meals
It was easy road walking today and I made good time with flat terrain and the wind behind me. I saw 2 game wardens drive by, and one stopped to talk after letting loose a small bear. I passed by Moondancer a few times
I stopped for lunch and water at Canyon del Dado, a nice little spot just off the road
The trail eventually went off road and climbed up on top of a mesa. At one point I walked out into a clearing and saw what looked like a big long neck bird running across it. An ostrich? I really don’t know
During another climb I stopped for a rest. I have a Platypus water container on my side, which is a lightweight collapsible bottle. I dropped it on the ground and water dumped out of where the now missing nipple should be. It is convenient to have a nipple you can snap open when you need a drink, but now it wasn’t there. I rescued some of the water but did not find the nipple anywhere. I ran back a half mile to a gate I climbed over to see if it came off there, but no sign of it. I did have a spare cap to put on it, but at some point I will want a nipple on it. I can imagine the following conversation with a store clerk:
ME: Do you have platypus nipples?
CLERK: No, mine are human
Most of the day didn’t offer much scenery. Toward evening I saw some burn areas. At sundown I was astonished to have an amazing view of a big wide valley with canyons, mesas, and mountains. It was like a very wide version of the Grand Canyon. Seeing it at sundown was special
The skies seem clear and the stars are in full view, so I thought about cowboy camping. After the wind kicked up and the temperature dropped I changed my mind. There is rain in tomorrow‘s forecast and I would hate putting up the tent in the middle of the night while getting soaked. I put up the tent without the fly to star gaze, and if I get rain I can throw the fly on quick and keep dry.