Every finish line is the beginning of a new race!

Greetings everyone from the comfort of “Home Sweet Home.”

As Cliff told you yesterday, we finished our quest to thru-hike the rough and rugged Colorado Trail!!  From Durango to a trail head south of Denver, Patrick (Gumby) and I endured everything Mother Nature could throw at us….lightning that would make you jump out of your chair, but for us we were the high point on a tabletop mesa that was four miles wide.  We figured that our odds got better when we met two other guys going the opposite direction.  Not funny, but what can you do, we couldn’t out run it.  That was the worst day, and a very cold 38 degrees, that night, in my one man tent.  It was an incredible journey with breathtaking vistas, rugged peaks and valleys covered with wildflowers, like columbines and forget-me-nots. 

The  Durango trail head...July 3

We completed our hike in 29 days, including 2 rest days! One day we hiked all day and into the night, a total of 33 miles, rested for a few hours and hiked 20 plus miles the next day.  We pumped water though a filter from crystal clear streams and ate freeze dried meals, like beef stroganoff and scrambled eggs with bacon.  I lost 10 pounds and Patrick 12.

I have 1,000 pictures to sort through and I will start to post some on the blog over the next few days, while my feet are propped up and healing.

I’d like to thank everyone for following our blog, and a special thanks to the following,

Cliff D for blog updates and logistics,

Cymmie B for transportation at our Salida stop,

Big Valley for transportation and trail pacing,

Pop-tart Paul for his companionship and hiking expertise,

Kathi B for transportation, food and allowing Gumby to join me,

Judy Mac for her love, support and joining us on the trail,

Gumby for his drive, direction and friendship.

A special thank you to the Deason family for inviting Austin to their home in Texas, while I was on the trail.

Happy Trails,

Hawkeye