July 6 California Zephyr Amtrak I got fidgety fucker in front of me. I got sings-out-loud across the aisle to my right. I got the Colorado River to my left. And I got random quote maker behind me. Seeing a bald eagle makes my day. And now for the quotes: “I had a bad flash.” … More Quotes Heard ‘Round The Train

July 5 Boulder and Denver Minutes: 3 5 14 16 54

July 4 Start: Alamosa Stop: Denver The Amtrak bus arrives at 6 am and because my reservation is last minute I have to pay the driver directly. I was told that they accept credit cards but of course this turns out not to be the case. I have $33 cash for a $39 ride. The … More Kindness

July 3 Start: past Wolf Creek Pass Stop: Alamosa, CO Miles: 10 All day in Santa Fe I kept asking myself, “Why am I here?” I toured the sights with a half heart, bored by midday. I made my way north to Chama with an uneasy feeling in my stomach and wondered if I should … More When I Listen To My Heart

July 2 Start: Santa Fe, NM Stop: past Wolf Creek Pass,CO Miles: 1.5 Total miles: 685 I made it all that way without paying a dime. Thank you to all the angels in this world and county subsidized buses. 2 out of the 3 hitches were people that turned around and came back for me. … More 2 Bus, 3 Hitch

July 1 Santa Fe, NM I sleep in because REI doesn’t open until 10am. I walk by the newly renovated area along the tracks. Shops and restaurants are interspersed with train stops. I make my REI purchases, pick up the spot my parents have gotten me. Next I catch the Santa Fe free bus and … More Adobe

June 30 Start: Smart’s Mountain, CA Stop: Santa Fe, NM In the already hot morning I don my familiar hiking clothes, collect my paper bag carry-on. Don’t forget my vertical fan box aka checked baggage which contains my backpack and all its contents. It’s never easy but I say goodbye to my kitty Yazhi. He … More Spreading My Wings

June 21 It seems unfathomable that I’m gratefully vegging out in front of a tv during the summer solstice. For me it’s a day that resonates with being outdoors. I mean, it’s Naked Hiking Day for gosh sake. It also seems unfathomable that I’m in California and not hiking the mountains of Colorado at this … More The Trail Dance – Chama Anyone?

Miles?? That’s the question. How long will I be off trail? Until there’s miles to write about, I’ve got to suspend this daily thing. Aside from the few days I dragged myself through the snow, I haven’t really hiked in two weeks. Too long. 700 miles of calluses and muscles are going soft. My tan … More Day 48 and Beyond: Where Is My Path?