Beans back...
And ready for 3 days off the trail!
Just rolling into Roosevelt for the holiday weekend...and man...do I need relief from the sweltering heat, the aloneness of the trail in Summer, a bath and a sit down meal or several.
Now I know why almost no one does this after May.
Most of my hike has been limited to dawn and dusk hours.
(...wildlife does seem a lot more active during this time as well...)
My mileage is seriously lacking, and the 200 mile marker is still quite a ways up the trail. Sources say about 10 miles south of Pine.
Still a long way.
Probably my biggest concern has been the rattlesnakes.
The AZT even has their own subspecies
Known as the Arizona Black Rattlesnake.
Sometimes you don't see them but hear a furious buzzing...causing you to stop and stand stock-still until you can figure out where it is coming from.
A bite, out here in the middle of nowhere, would be fatal.
Besides the omnipresent range cattle, I have now seen several types of lizards, including Gila Monsters
and Horned Toads
Along with more Mule Deer, I have now seen an antelope or two.
There are small pig-like creatures called Javelinas (pronounced Havalin)
Who don't seem at all bothered by my presence, and trot by as though I don't exist.
Maybe just looking for water, too.
Water is at a premium this time of year...and until Roosevelt Lake it had been miles since I had seen any at all. Even many of the marked water-spots on the trail map were dried up and dusty washes.
It is unsettling.
This is hard country.
The lake and town is a welcome sight.
Grass greening up before you actually see water.
The bridge reminding me of the Bixby in California.
The hotel is posh!
Looking forward to a long soak in the tub...taking a look around...getting a good meal and maybe even some fireworks, tonight...given that it is July 4th.
See Everyone on Monday!
"Beans"
