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Carl "Z-man" Zimmerman
City: Austin
State: TX
Country: USA
Begins: Jul 7, 2015
Direction: Southbound
Daily Summary
Date: Fri, Jul 10th, 2015
Start: creek at 62.4m
End: Kenosha Pass at 71.7m
Daily Distance: 9.3
Trip Distance: 71.7
Journal Stats
Entry Visits: 1,708
Journal Visits: 3,902
Guestbook Views: 157
Guestbook Entrys: 1
Journal Plan
Colorado Trail Map
The previous night was not pleasant. Stomach still giving me fits. I
finally quit trying to sleep & got up. I packed up by headlamp. I left a
note for Andrew that I hit the trail @ 5:20.
I only had to use my headlamp for a few minutes. The previous late night
rain ensured that the grass along the trail was wet. No matter how hard I
tried to avoid it, my shoes & socks quickly got soaked.
I hiked until 6:30 & took a short break. I ate a few fig newtons to provide
a little nourishment. I continued on. I was running on fumes as far as
energy was concerned. I had a few nice views that I took a few pictures.
I stopped for another break. Andrew caught up to me at that point. He took
a break with me as well. He slowed down his pace & hiked with me for the
rest of the way. Fortunately, it was mostly downhill. I didn't have much
energy for any uphills.
We hit the TH at 10:02. Composting toilet w/ plenty of toilet paper! The
simple pleasures of life. I had almost completely run out if TP.
After a break there, we walked over to the highway. We had a 4.5m hitch
into Jefferson. I had a resupply package at the Post Office there. I had
already come to the conclusion that I didn't have the energy to make it to
Breckenridge (31m away).
When we got to the highway, we saw another thru hiker getting into a
vehicle. She had hurt her foot & her father had picked her up. We were able
to catch a ride w/ them to Jefferson. Their two dogs (she was hiking w/ one
& her Dad brought his along for the ride) didn't like being displaced by me
& Andrew.
They dropped us off. There is very little there. A convenience store, a
hamburger stand, a few small shops, & a Post Office. The PO didn't open
until noon. We waited until the hamburger stand opened at 11:00 & ordered a
burger. I was hungry. But, in hindsight, probably not a wise choice of
food. In Jefferson, it was the only choice.
After finishing, I walked just down the street to a public restroom. I paid
a quarter to use a composting toilet. I would have paid more if I had to.
Andrew grabbed a few snacks from the convenience store & hitched back to
the trail. I enjoyed hiking w/ him. I wished him well. I told him before he
left that I'd treat him to some Texas BBQ or Tex-Mex if he was ever in
Austin.
My cell phone didn't have coverage in Jefferson. It did in the mountains
but not in the town. Go figure. I sent a message to my wife on my DeLorme
InReach about my situation. I told her I would hitch into Fairplay & get a
room.
I went to the PO to get my package. It wasn't there. I was bummed. The
clerk allowed me to use her phone to call the two motels there. I was going
to get a room for two nights. One motel was full both nights ( I think, I
had a hard time understanding the clerk). The other could only guarantee
tonight (Friday). I took the room & would see what I could do for the
other. It turned out that there was a woman's bike rally in town that
weekend. Just my luck.
I tried my luck hitching & wasn't very successful. There was a lot of
traffic. None of it stopped for me. After about 45 minutes, I added a $ 20
next to my thumb. Within 5 minutes, I had a ride. Matt, my ride, gave me
the lift. He dropped me off at the Western Inn. I checked in. The room
wasn't ready yet. They gave me a key so I could store my stuff. I dried out
my wet tent, showered, & walked to a nearby Dollar Store. I bought some
more Immodium as I was almost out & a few other items.
I was able to call my wife. We made arrangements for her to drive to CO &
pick me up on Sunday.
I walked over to a laundry mat & washed my clothes. While they were drying,
I walked over to a clinic. I saw the C.F.N.P. (I'm guessing she wasn't a
doctor). She gave me a prescription for my diarrhea. But, no pharmacy in
town. She told me what foods to eat & to drink Gatorade as I was very
dehydrated.
I later ate a small cheese pizza & called it a day.
I am bummed about not finishing this hike. I know I could wait out this
illness & keep going. I just didn't have the motivation to do so. Now, I'd
be able to go with my wife to NC & visit my Granddaughter & her two small
girls.
Almost there, just around the corner.