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. 

Trail Angels

Trail Angels are by far my favorite part of any trail and with that being said I thought I'd go about paying these selfless beings a little homage.

This is my father Dad Savage and he is my #1 trail Angel of all my trails. Whether it be the resupply packages he sends for me all along these multi month journeys. A part time job all in itself with far more then the normal part time jobs responsibilities.  Or the ride from CA to the border of NM for a pre shuttle start to the Continental Divide Trail. I couldn't do any of the trails I do with the piece of mind that I have if not for the magical Trail Angel Dad Savage

This is a Steak... and when I was staying at the Gila Hot Springs a random camper who I had never met came up to me and another having dinner. This random man chatted with me and the other for all of 2 mins then asked if I wanted some steak? I said, Dude you don't even know me, I don't want to deprive any one of their hard earned steak. He said, "do you want it or not?" Yes I do I replied,  He walked away and came back with a huge piece of steak and gave it to me. He gave me a steak.  HE GAVE ME A STEAK!! I never saw him before that, I never saw him again after that. 

So Thank You MR. Steak Trail Angel

This is the one and only Nita... many many of travelers have had the pleasure of her magical ways which goes above and beyond 99.9% of all peoples capabilities of kindness. Nita is the owner of the Toaster House. The Toaster House is a free hiker/biker hostel left to the hikers/bikers by Nita, she raise her 5 kids in this house. I like many had know idea what it was before I hiked up to its door. The kids have all now moved out and so has Nita for that matter to a spot up on her very own hill, with A over look of Pie Town, NM and what ever the mountains were to the south and west. She left her old house which is right on the CDT entirely to us dirty travelers. This little home filled with the love of her previously raised family holds a special spot in my heart for this is where my crew all came together for the first time. We were also lucky enough to get the chance to meet the one and only Trail Angel Nita. This is her playing us some music after she randomly showed up late one night with 2 other random musicians just to preform for us. Thank You from the bottom of my heart.   

This is a Soda... some amazing Angels leave them in the most opportune spots for us sugar deprived hikers to find and enjoy. Thank you Soda Trail Angels

This is Mark and Karla... The only reason why I made it through the snow in the San Juan Mountain Range was because of the magic that came from staying at their house for 5 days, Yes 5 days. Lt. Dan got a hitch from her in NM. and She gave him her number and said give me a call if you need anything in South Fork.  She met us at a spot just off trail with beers in hand. I had never met her before but greeted her with a huge stinky bear hug. After a week in the snow covered San Juan's, resting and healing and dog sitting and being stuffed with the most tasty, tastiness known to hikers (7 layer Mac and Cheese) was exactly what was needed. Thank You Thank You Thank You Trail Angels Mark & Karla   

This is Jo... she is a healer. While staying with Karla in South Fork she asked what we wanted. I said, a massage. She said, I have the perfect friend for you. This is how I came to know Jo. With a phone call from Karla there was an appointment booked. Two mornings later Lt. Dan and I were driving a borrowed jeep from South Fork to Creede,  A 45min drive to get this one of a kind zero balancing massage. I have always wanted to get a massage while thru-hiking so finally this wish has become a reality.  She told me I was meant for the healing arts, then made us the most gourmet pancakes I've ever had. On top of this while I was getting my massage Lt. Dan smoothed over Jo's husband Jeff and got us a trip on his fishing raft the next day down the Rio Grand River, my first ever real rafting trip. 

Thank you Trail Angels Jo and Jeff

This is a Hitch... they sometimes take a while but they are always appreciated. Being resupplied would not be as enjoyable without you. Thank to all my Trail Angel Hitcher Picker Uppers

This is Lucky & Captain Jack... Lucky is a previous CDT hiker who now owns the Raven Rest Hostel in Lake City.  Without him ever meeting us before he drove up and took us into town to stay for free at his hostel, this was after my most miserably cold day on trail I've ever had in my life. I was so cold that I pee'd on my feet to try and worm them. He invited us to hang with him and raft  the next day if there was room. Sure enough the next day there was room and so Lt. Dan and I were loading in his truck with a few other Lake Citiens on a last minute invite on a rafting adventure down the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River. Class 4/5 rapids at the time. I'd never done anything like them before. What a rush! That night they BBQ'd for us. Soon we were invited to join them again the next day, this time on the Rio Grand. Thank You for my 2nd and 3rd rafting experience 

Trail Angel Lucky & Captain Jack and for keeping my toes from freezing off

This is a random drop box... while road walking with Maniac a car pulls over and this couple asked if we need a ride. We say no thanks we're hiking the divide, they hop out on the side of the road and start chatting with us. Maniac asked if they had a soda or beer. They had some diet coke. While opening doors on the car their dogs got out, Golden Retrievers.  We helped get them out of the road and blocked traffic to prevent tragedy. The next day while back on trail we notice a pink note and a 5 gallon paint bucket hung up in a tree. We read the note to be delighted with a bucket of goodies from this random couple from the side of the road the day prior. We sat there enjoying our good karma.

Thank You Random Drop Boxing Trail Angel