Thursday, May 29, 2008

May 27:Third Anniversary!!

29We left Hikertown early hoping to beat the heat. This section we were walking today is supposed to be one of the hottest sections of trail we walk; we follow the LA Aquaduct for 15-20 miles through the flat floor of the Mojave Desert. It is usually 100+ degrees through this section, but because of the coldness lately, it probably only topped out in the upper 70's, although the sun made it feel a touch warmer. The ironic part about this hot stretch of trail is that you walk along an aquaduct and at times you can hear the water, but most of the time, you don't have access to it. We have been lucky as far as weather goes so far. We were just ahead of the snow and rain, and then got cooler weather in the Mojave. Definitely no complaints here!

The trail was fairly easy today (and at times boring b/c it was so flat), and we ended up walking our biggest day yet; by the end of the day we had walked just over a marathon in celebration of our 3rd Anniversary. It's fitting that we would be hiking in mountains on our anniversary; the last two years we had celebrated by climbing mountains. This was a natural continuation.

We celebrated by sharing a Reeses PB Cup before falling asleep in a dried up creekbed, thankful for a great day and a great three years of marriage. Thanks to everyone who remembered and sent us emails or letters!

Total Miles:544.9
Miles Today:26.5
Camp 30:3rd Anniversary Marathon

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3 comments:

Keith Drury said...

Hey guys! TRHANKS for the update..I've sent soem cards from the AT here to the PCT..thanks gfor your cards too!

At nine o'clock yesterday morning we rolled into Damascus, Virginia ... about 500 miles from our starting point at Springer Mountain Georgia a month ago. We did 20 miles followed by 25 Tuesday & Wednesday which brought us within 5 miles of town this morning....our ending point for this "may term" hike for Ethan Lennox and I.

last night we went out for supper with a half dozen other hikers we've been running with for the last week or so... they are celebrating our finish and their entry into the second quarter of the trail for themselves.... Ethan has been a great hiker..and I've gotten nearer his speed as the trip went on. (actually I can't match his speed--but as an old guy I can hike until dark or after as you know ;-) We did some 26's together on the PCT but my best miles on the AT ever was 22 miles before this... so 25 for the AT is a new "personal best".... (we would have tried for the marathon 26.2 except it got too dark and we had to camp...(we have no lights) since we are really superlight.

We were counting up yesterday... we've passed more then 150 long distance hikers (thru hikers or 500+ miles).... but only two have passed us... how about that? That's quite a feat for someone who has never backpacked before the first night on Springer mountain (Ethan) and an old guy in his 60's... (me!) Thanks for all those great hiking days together on the PCT in Washongton,. oregon and California;-)

I am sending this from a little coffee shoppe... OK outta here... Ethan's parents are coming to fetch us in an hour... more later and by mail.

Coach d

pk said...

AntFarm & Swiffer. Nice.
Is it weird that for months and months no one will know you as Mark and Jess???

Keith Drury said...

So I missedque and forgpot to wish you a happy wedding ann! Sorry! We're back in Marion now and we ended our hike on the East coast more than 50 miles short of you guys by the 27th--I should have known it! You guys rock! (actually WE had more rocks though ;-)

You should have some post cards waiting at the general store... PK and I remember THAT stop--we had sent a 30# box of food to oourselves and it never came though so we had tor esupply at that store for several thousand dollars or so...;-)

Ethan and I are now suffering from post-hike syndrome... lethargy, feeling like we are out of place, cramps, and general sleepiness... but in another month we'll be joining P&B on the CDT... can;t wait... will be following you with careful interest and prayers...

stay lite!

coach