Grants, NM
My feet are happy to be in Grants
I started after cowboy camping at the last of the Chain of Craters. I had a few sprinkles overnight, but got up and out early
I got to the El Malpais visitor center to fill water and then went in search of Jon Ley’s shortcut to the Bonita/Zuni Canyon route. I found it and lost it, but no big deal. I just kept going northeast and found some really nice tread that took me to it. It was the most enjoyable hiking of the day
From here I thought it was a 15 mile road walk to Grants. It kinda is, and its gently downhill so I made good time. I took a few breaks before I got to Grants. One nice guy in a pickup asked if I needed water, but I was well stocked
When you get to Grants, you still have a long way to go. You kinda have to go from one side of town to the other to get to the hotels. I think I can cross Chicago in less steps than Grants. It’s darn near endless. By this time my feet were begging for a hot tub
Grants looks like a town that used to be but is no more. I think there might be more out-of-businesses than in-businesses
Along comes Jess from the Cibola area transit agency. His van pulled up and took me to the Travelodge free. HeHo!
The bath and hot tub have me almost feeling human, and I await a pizza as I watch the Cavs and listen to the Bucs. My feet need to convalesce