Kaydee and I decided to take our first true zero in town today. If our mileage counts seem low to the readers, they are. This is intentional.
During the first two weeks of a long distance hike the body is especially vulnerable to injury. Legs, coordination, and metabolism improve quickly, but they need to be allowed to do so. From the very first conversations about this trip, we knew we’d be doing low miles to ease into the trail.
Today would be our first “off” day, though by thru-hiker standards many of our days would be considered “nearo’s,” –very short milage days you use to get tasks done like resupply and laundry. Despite our tortoise pace, we’ve managed to keep up with a few thru’s by not take true zero days, but Tater and i both felt a need for one.
I woke first and decided to pack up and head up to McDonalds for coffee and time to write. Tater wanted a couple more hours of rest, so I bid her “good sleeps” and pulled my tent stakes.
Slugs had decided to launch a gooey onslaught during the early morning hours. I removed eight from the outside of my tent and would learn later that I missed one. Slugs have become far less gross after an internet meme convinced me they are in fact just snails without shells. A snail offensive on my home? Adorable. Slugs? Still a little yucky.
I noticed another army amassing in the field though, school-aged children. A summer camp no doubt.
I smiled and waved at one of the counselors and told her good morning. She informed me that “my friend in the orange tent needed to vacate within five minutes, so we can start our greet and cheer.”
When she started towards Tater’s tent I stopped her and explained that I’d be happy to carry the message. I also adjusted Camp Counselor By the Book’s expectations.
“I think we can be on our way in ten minutes, but probably fifteen.”
Ten minutes later a groggy Tater Tot was walking across the field with me, and boy did they start that great and cheer! A couple of kids shouted after us.
“Hikers!!!” In excited glee. I beamed. Even Tater smiled and laughed in her groggy annoyance. The other counselors wished us safe journey. By the Book did not.
We decided to go to a swank little breakfast place, the name I wish I could remember, because it was the best coffee I’ve had in ages. I had an egg and pesto bowl with feta over greens. It was out of this world! Tater opted for a more traditional breakfast spanning three plates. Hiker hunger, her’s has hit completely.
We loitered until check-in time at the Travel Lodge and got our laundry brewing. Brewing seems the most accurate term. If you’ve ever tried to wash hiker socks in a sink you’ll understand.
We snuggled up, watched a few episodes of Schitt’s Creek and went to bed. Zero’s are great like that. One of the best nights of my life.
Dirty Girl Hikes 