My first cowboy camp and I slept really well, the rest of the guys began to move around 6am so I I let the air out of my mattress and began to pack I was quite surprised how quick I was packed up compared with my tent.
As I was packing I heard the voice of Dr Tom and Hawkeye morning guys i shouted . Okay to the trail, It started gently but then became an epic climb. I was not able to get any speed. Omg I was slow so slow and the climbs kept climbing this going to be a crap day. I came to a clearing that had amazing views so stopped to admire them before going back to the climbing . This is crap I Said to myself trying to urge myself on, then around the next corner was Kevin & Hawkeye who had stopped to get their breath too..

I took up the rear but didn’t have their stamina, at last the trail began to level out.
I headed into another forest again the smell of cedar was delightful.. but i wasn’t in it long and soon was on a rocky trail but was lovely to walk through. In the distance I could see another mountain which meant another climb. The climb was steep but at least there was shade, finally I was at the top Phew , then of course it was straight down. Down I meandered , through more cool forest. I spied some rocks so went to take a break I waved to Dr Tom and Hawkeye as they passed.
Okay back to the trail and continued down ,it then began to get steeper and I’m not that confident that my feet would stay and so my pace became a crawl . Once down it took a while to work out where the trail was going to take me at last and I pushed on as the sun grew hotter

I was planning to call in a the Burro campground as they have WIFI there and so could maybe get my phone fixed as guthooks has stopped working and is not calculating mileage.
At last I came to the road and turned right the Homestead was a mile off trail.
I kept plodding until the campground came into view. Hurrah, but it was still a fair way to the actual complex. In the distance I could see hikers so made my way over, Their were 4 other hikers here plus Dr Tom and Hawkeye.
I signed in, before dropping my pack, next it was time for a shower. Omg that was so good. after getting dry I found a spot to put up my tent. Once I was settled in, I headed back to the main building , from 12pm to about 4pm I tried to guthooks to download ,finally it appeared to be working but what a waste of a afternoon. Oh well
As I sat here several deer began to wander around unfazed by us hikers obviously it safe for them here
I seem to be having so much bad luck on this trail, hopefully things will start to fall my way…please
Dr Tom and Hawkeye filled up with water and headed straight out. The four are staying and I am too but want to get on trail early and try and push miles. Its 20 miles to the next water omg. Which is a long long way. Well a wasted day but an important day.
Nero 6 miles.
It’s only been two weeks but what an adventure you’re having already. Always keen to get the next update to read. Everyone in the office is rooting for you Dodge!