Sunday May 9 – Mother’s Day
To commemorate mothers day, I would like to recognize trail moms everywhere. Not only did they bring us into this world, but they molded us into to the thru hikers we have become.
My own mother helped give me the sense of independance, the strength to question conventional thinking and the drive to be able to do the things that are important to me such as hike this trail.
Mothers help us in many ways. There are those that drive to the trails as angels bringing sodas and food. There are trail moms who bake cookies and send them to our mail drops or who coordinate our logistical support back home. There are those moms who fret and worry and maybe even wish we weren’t out here. And they too play a role in supporting us as we may make safer decisions because of their concern, or stiffen our resolve to see the trail through.
In all the ways they show their support the one unifying approach is their love. For all this we thank you – trail mothers everywhere……
Our day was mostly one of walking very steadily up the canyon containing Mission Creek. We leap frogged the first half of the day with Carley, Trish and One Braid. Fortunately, there were frequent places to grab some shade.
It was nice being near running water, camping near it last night and walking alongside it for several hours today. The first time this trip we have had running water as a trailside companion.
With water come snakes and we saw several harmless ones as well our third rattlesnake of the trip. Many lizards and birds too.
At a late afternoon stop we caught up to JJ and Dave, who now has picked up the trail name”Lucky”.
As we climbed to the head of the canyon and regained the crest, the water disappeared. At our lst water source we picked up 7 quarts each to see us through an 18 mile dry section in which we will make dinner and camp, arriving at more water midday tomorrow.
I am thankful for the new shoulder straps for the pack which Ron sent to our last stop at Randi’s. They made a huge difference in comfort carying all that extra water weight.
After 19.7 miles we are settled into to “Coon Creek Jump Off”, a saddle at about 8,200 feet with a fabulous view of the Greater Palm Springs area all lit up at night.
