The Slackpackers

We finally made it to Creede and were able to get a hotel room, shower, do laundry and most importantly eat. 

But let's first rewind a few days. We have been outright spoiled on the trail by Sam and Marcia. After Salida they dropped us back off at the trailhead but with only raingear and snacks in our packs. Hiking is great. Hiking with less than 5 pounds is incredible. We felt like we were flying as we followed the ridge line. When we finally made it to the designated camping area they picked us up and immediately started driving on a FJ trail road over fallen trees and through the mud until it opened up to a wonderful campsite.

First things first when camping, we had cocktail hour which was filled with wine, cheese, bread, tomatoes, hummus and the list goes on. But this was only to be the first course we were all soon eating salad, baked potatoes, salmon pan fried over the fire, and of course a s'mores buffet. 

The next morning we packed up everything then loaded all our gear in the FJs and started hiking. After about a mile or so I realized I left my phone so I ran back, got it and then started over again. We eventually all met up only to be poured and hailed on. Our spirits were feeling down until we crossed a mud road and out of the woods drove the FJs. We set up lunch in the typical backpacking way, with a tarp roof, table and a full watermelon while the cows just stood and stared. 

We hiked a few more miles, stopping to play baseball with mushrooms on the side of the trail. Sam and Marcia had once again found us a great campsite and our meal consisted of chips with queso and salsa, salad, black beans, corn on the cob, onions and peppers, barbecue chicken and of course washed down with s'mores. 

The next day we actually had to put our gear in our packs and say goodbye to Sam and Marcia, but only after being loaded with bacon, eggs, and campfire donuts. Despite our little vacation lasting a day and a half we had earned a reputation. As we walked past other hikers they would ask if we were those Slackpackers. Dirty Mike and Peacock were even asked how long the drive from our hotel every morning took. 

The next few days went by like a blur, hiking over twenty miles on each of them. The first took us through National Forest Pasture land over miles and miles of dirt road. When we finally made it to a valley it started raining and didn't stop until the middle of the night. Needless to say we have now missed only two nights of campfires. Luckily it was sunny when we woke up, so we pushed hard to try and summit our fourth 14'er. Sadly the clouds were rolling in and we decided to play it safe, skip the summit and hike on. Yesterday took us right over a beautiful Mesa where we could see miles and miles of mountains in the distance. While crossing the Mesa I came to a little creek. While pondering how to cross it the ground gave way and I started falling to the ground. The rest of the group was laughing their heads off at me, but while I proved that my butt never touched the ground (therefore it doesn't count as a fall) Peacock took her own slip in the same spot. No one is counting the nber of falls:

Dirty Mike: 2

Peacock: 2

Cloud 9: 3

Buckwheat: an impressive 0

We finally made it into town, ate lunch, showered, ate dinner with Sam and Ethan (the Sherpas as they are known on the trail), watched tv while eating, fell asleep while dreaming about food, and now are about to head to the motels Yelp Famous breakfast. 

Eating watermelon on the trail with cow spectators. 

Sam (One of the Sherpas) double-fisting snickers ice cream bars. 

Walking across Snow Mesa. 

Also, our hiker friend Ethan is about to spend a year in France working for a church youth ministry and sharing the Gospel with kids over there. He is a super great guy and is raising support for his trip. Please consider supporting him by giving, the like is here:https://secure-q.net/donations/UnitedWM/336

Go to "missionary" in the first box then select "Williams, Ethan" in the second box. I know he is going to do awesome things and we have been happy to get to know him!