3rd day away. Welcome to Moab

Up early after a late night of firepit with fireball. Caffee was first to be prepared. Then the huge community meal began. Eggs, onions and bellpeppers. Steak and bacon. Fruit, tortillas and hash browns. What a feast. Theres nothing quite like sharing a meal in the wilderness.  We were in no rush to call the day done.. so we packed up camp and headed for the River. Hello You Big Beautiful Murky Colorado River!! From the the river we hiked up into some of the Canyons. Found a great spot to chill hard. It took some dark clouds rolling in to get us to head back to the cars. Nobody needs a flash flood shower. So it was back to Moab. We said our good byes.. which is always tough. But they have there next camp to go to in Page, while I have mine here in Moab. So after some hugs and fair the wells.. I was off to the Lazy Lizard Hostel . No beds available but camping outside was wide open. I don't mind the possibility of rain.. so I bought a small blue tarp at the hardware store and pitched my new blue tarp in back of the Hostel. This will be my home for the next few days. My base camp before the Hayduke. Moab!

2nd day away and starting towards the Hayduke

As much as I wanted to make it all the way to Moab on a Bike. There comes a time when you find yourself over extended. The wind had took its toll and my legs had turned to pudding. While huddling in a School Bus Stop. This car pulls up and a guys says, hey hows it going? I look up from the caterpillar I was observing to see John.  John and I had met the day prior while I was buying the bike. He said he would be driving buy and I told him to give me a double honk. Instead of a honk he gave me a ride. I was ready to be off the bike.. Im a Hiker. Not a Biker and im okay with that. So we were on our way to Moab the easy way. After a quick stop at Sonic and Monument Valley, with about 3 hours of driving under our belts. we were pulling into town. John was on his way to meet his family for a camping trip along the Colorado River. I was going to get a bed at the Lazy Lizord Hostel but didnt have a bed yet. So john invited me to come join his family camping trip. His Uncle was turning 50 today and he still invited me along. So I agreed.  And im so glad I did. I got to spend the evening celebrating life and swappimg stories. To start a day one way and have it end in a way you couldn't even of imagend. . Thats how today has been in a nutshell.

First day off the AZT

My first day off the AZT and the planets were in lined for my favor. Starting with breakfast and tea. Then a ride from my new friends from up North, Don and his wife Kristen and their friends Marvin and Heather. Wonderful people that made the finish of my trail incredibly special. They dropped me off in a better place to catch a ride(Paria Visitors Center) with a few words to the Ranger inside, saying I just finished the AZT and will be trying to yogi a ride in the parking lot. A lady was in there and she happened to be a Thru-Hiker too. Her name was Bee Keeper (Jansjaunts.wordpress.com) she said, I can give you a ride. So without having to even stick up a thumb I had gotten two rides. We chatted about everything thru-hikers chat about on the way into Page. She dropped me at a Macdonalds where I tried to gain back some of the calories I've shed. Right after Macdonalds I walked across the parking lot to Taco Bell. Round two. In there a started chatting with a dude sitting a few tables down. He asked if I was a backpacker. I said yes. I've been doing some hiking in the Arizona area. Now im going to explore Utah. He himself has done some traveling around Thailand. He was in utah for the day, his Birthday solo. After he took off he came back and gave me a cookie. A special cookie. I said, are you sure man? It's your Bday. He said enjoy man. I have tons. Then he took off. I couldn't believe it. It's his Bday and he was the one passing out gifts. I stuffed the cookie in my pack and headed across the street to Walmart. I wanted to see how much bikes were. If under $100 then I would buy it and ride it to Moab.. instead of hitching. I found this cruiser for $79. So I bought it. And a helmet, some patches and a small pump. It has been decided now. I will now ride a bike for the next 5 days, 269 miles to Moab to meet my buddy The Shepherd to begin this Hayduke Trail.