Closer

Last night I made Moriarty, which puts me around one hundred and eighty miles from Texas. The folks at city hall put me up for the night in a motel for free, which was kind of them.

Upon leaving Albuquerque yesterday, I found that my GPS was not working properly...then not working at all. It was nothing serious, past finally being out of juice after much repeated use. I picked up Lithium batteries at a truck stop outside of town, and we're good to go again.

That said, I'm putting yesterday's trip in the miles to make up bracket. I keep a spreadsheet on this laptop to account for all miles missed that need making up. I don't count half miles, quarter miles, etc....even though I know those add up. My mile goal is still reached without them anyhow. Regardless, since the hike for yesterday was not recorded, I feel it only fair to repeat it at the end of this event for the sake of documentation.

Here shortly I don the pack, hat, and sunglasses. It's time to get on the road. I slept in a little. I'll still make good time, but I'd rather get to my destination sooner than later, of course.

Hello October!

I joked about it yesterday, but it really is true. Texas seems to have reached over the state line and said hello. Something like, "Hey, I knew you were coming. Here, have some moisture....and heat....and dust.....and cold....and more heat....and...."

You get it. Santa Barbara is so mild all of the time, and gentle. I forget what it's like to experience real weather, particularly fall weather. I've missed hearing thunder, and seeing lighting illuminate the inside of a thunderhead. It's beautiful. I think all things considered, the rest of this trip is going to be great. Yes, I'd rather be running now; I'd like to have my crew. Still, I'm healthy and capable of putting one foot in front of the other...so I'm honestly in no position to complain.

Looking forward to my friends and family in Austin and Lubbock, thus, I should depart.

All the best folks.

-Dustin