Hi all: I finally have WiFi service tonight. If this is what you call it, sitting in the back of the Honda with the tailgate up. There will be no pictures because I only have 1 bar on my phone and it's not strong enough. I tried, but it didn't work. We are both good. Rick is still averaging about 20 miles per day, give or take a couple. We have seen a lot of beautiful country, have been in the mountains for days. We have seen several herds of Elk, up close and personal. Some of the Forest Service roads I have been on were just a two track up and down mountains. I thought Rick was trying to do me in a couple of times. One day I traveled 16 miles to take him water and it took an hour. Had to go slow because of the ruts and rocks. We stayed in Apache Creek the last couple of days. Rick had a rough day yesterday; while hiking he came into an area that had been burned and had to climb over a lot of fallen trees. Needless to say all the trail markers were gone too. Had to rely of his GPS coordinates. Hiked for 12 hours. He didn't have much trouble sleeping last night. Rick is in the woods tonight, no roads to get to him. I am staying in a little motel in Datil, NM. There is just 4 corners with Motel, gas station (with pumps from the 60s) and a tiny store all rolled into one. We are headed North tomorrow to Pie Town, NM. Yes, there is a restaurant there that serves pie. Ha! Can't wait. Not sure if we will have phone or WiFi, but when we do, I will post so everyone knows we are ok.

Just letting you all know we will not have cell service or wifi for about the next 5 days. So will not be able to post. As soon as we get out of the mountains and wilderness I will post again.

There he goes again. Good Luck, Honey!

This mountain range is what Rick is heading into this morning. He plans on going 22 miles today. I will meet up with him with a fresh water supply. Not much water in New Mexico. This is Pinos Altos (Spanish for " tall pines" ) Mountain range.  Black Peak is at an elevation of 9,029 feet.  It is the highest point in this range. Most of his hike today will be in the Gila National Forest.

This is the sunrise I saw after I dropped Rick off this morning. Looks like fire in the sky. BEAUTIFUL!

Rick had a good day of hiking. He  went 18 miles and was done by 2:00. The further North he gets, the nicer the scenery. These are the Pinos Altos Mountains. We will have a nice dinner in Silver City this evening, then some down time.

I dropped Rick off at the trail head at Burro Peak this morning. I am including a little info on the area. Burro Peak is a gentle shaped hump of a mountain, located in the high desert between Lordsburg an Silver City in Southwest New Mexico. This low range, called the Big Burro Mountains, serves an effective natural boundry between the highlands surrounding Silver City and the starker deserts near Lordsburg. The peaks don't jump out at you, but have a nice uniform shape. Most people wouldn't bother climbing Burro Peak, but the CDT passes right over the summit (which is over 8000 ft). What looks to be a dull and uninteresting place seen from afar is a lovely wilderness of high desert scrub, pinon and juniper woodlands and some stands of fir and pine when seen up close.  I will be seeing Rick again at dinner time this evening.   I am staying quite comfortable today in my little cabin.

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Home for the evening.

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Rick made it another 20 miles today. Finally reached the mountains. He is headed towards Silver City. I will meet up with him for lunch tomorrow.

Fwd: mamavanlan@msn.com

This is one of Rick's water resources. He has to share with the free range cattle. By the time he is done using his water filter, it's crystal clear.

Wouldn't want to trip over one of these after dark......Rick spent last night in the desert. He had to share some water with a heard of free range cattle.  I spoke with him earlier today and he is well. The weather has taken a turn, it's a lot cooler and raining now.

Rick had a good day of hiking yesterday. He got 20 miles in. The trail was marked well and the temps. were down, only in the mid 70s. He saw a little wildlife-snakes, a lot of lizards, Jack rabbits, a coyote and a heard of antelope.   I dropped him off at his starting point at 7:00 this morning and  won't see him now until Saturday night. He will keep in touch with me using his satellite phone.               

This is the terrain Rick is hiking in. He had a bad day yesterday. Lost the trail and ran really low on water. It's been really hot here, high 80s. All is well now, We re-grouped and he will head out to the trail again tomorrow.

There he goes!!!

We made it to the trail head this morning after a 40 mile ride that took us 2 1/2 hrs.  The road (if you can call it that) was full of ruts and large rocks.  Mexico was right at our backs. Just a stones throw away. We sent Rick off into the desert and I headed back with the 80 yr. old trail guide.  We had trouble with his truck and then got stopped by the Border Patrol wondering what we were doing out there.  It all made for an interesting day.  Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings.

This is what southwest New Mexico looks like. The bathrooms are far and few between. Yickes!

Happy Easter everyone! We had a great time with the kids. On our way through Texas, heading to New Mexico. Will be in Lordsburg tonight.

Passing through Claude,Texas. Think I will get me one of these. They are on sale. Ha!

Arrived at Altus Air Force Base. Will be visiting our kids and grandkids for a few days.

Wichita Mountains just outside Altus, Oklahoma.

Beautiful Oklahoma sky.

On our way.  Outside St. Louis, Missouri.

A Little Background Info on the CDT

In 1978, Congress made a monumental decision, one that secured the future of the most scenic, wild and remote landscapes in America. They designated the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT), also known as the “King of Trails”. The vision for the CDT is a 3,100-mile primitive and challenging backcountry trail from Canada to Mexico along the backbone of America. Approximately 70% of the Trail is usable. However, many of those miles are in desperate need of repair, rerouting for sustainability, or removed from roads and motorized trails.

For more information about the trail I'll be hiking you can go to www.cdtrail.com

Crunch Time

Just a post to let everyone know that I have recruited everyone in the family to help me get things packed and organized.  Leaving the day after tomorrow....