GET Day 17: Into Safford on a Hot Day

Daily Miles: 15.3, Total Miles: 242.3

A nice sunrise and I started the mostly downhill trek to Safford through some nice high desert canyon creeks with the backdrop of the full range of the Pinalenos.

A good variety of colorful spring flowers was a bonus.

A bit baked by the time I got to town – 91 degrees and the wind was kicking up.

My first stop was a Subway for hydration. I took off my pack and a bunch of twigs and leaves fell to the floor, caught between my pack and back and collected as I pushed my way through trees and shrubs on the trail. A few strange looks came my way. I bought two Gatorades for $5.23 and gave the young woman $20.25 – I had actually found and picked up a quarter on the trail. She had already rung up $20 on the register and despondently said, “you’re going to make me do math now? I need to go get a calculator.” I saved her the trouble and gave her the answer.

Hiker chores, a long walk to the PO and a glorious shower. I have rarely been more dirty and grimy coming into a trail town. Too tired to go out for dinner so ordered a pizza and salad.