Up at 6 once again, and packed up camp for the last time; hard to think we'll be in Homebound Tent City tonight. On the trail by 7:30 for Rayedo Turnaround, where we were to meet our bus at 11. Once on the roads, the boys beat feet one last time, and we were there by 9--a 3 1/2 mile course in 90 minutes! On arrival at Rayedo we went to the Kit Carson house and museum, exploring what a mid-19th-century pueblo house in NM looked like. We explored only for a little while when word came that Zack had negotiated our way onto an earlier bus back to base camp, so at 9:45, onto the bus and off we went.
On the bus, my Fitbit read 6.14 miles, which brought us to a 106.13 mile trail time since leaving the Turkey Creek turnaround 12 days ago. Not bad for a trek rated at 61 miles!
Back at base camp, got our stuff into our tents at Homebound Tent City and opened our lockers, which let me send a selfie with David to Mary and Sarah announcing our arrival. Thence to the laundry, and a hunt for detergent; eventually finished laundry just after lunch, when off to take a shower...felt s-o-o-o good!
Early afternoon rainstorm, unlike what we saw on the trail. During it, over to the Tooth of Time Traders with David to purchase our souvenirs--the classic Philmont leather belts, for which we each chose our buckles, then we got a Christmas tree ornament of the Mt Phillips geodisk. We also got a map, which we'll highlight and frame for the media room downstairs.
Late afternoon, rode the shuttle into Cimarron, where we got burgers for dinner at the St. James Hotel's restaurant. Just splendid to have a real, non-rehydrated-dehydrated meal once again! Very tasty. Then, walked around town exploring shops and buying souvenirs for Mary and Sarah. David (and many of the boys) bought knives; I found a locally-made cross that called out to me as a memento of the God-sightings on the trail. Back to camp for the evening.
26,600 steps for the day meant 12.6 miles more, or 221,163 steps and 112.5mi since leaving here two Mondays ago. Added to the known pre-trail totals, we've moved over 241,822 steps and 122.7 miles since leaving Virginia on the 11th--not bad for two weeks.
Closing campfire was funny, maudlin, and moving. At the close, we all received our Philmont arrowhead patches, signifying we've completed a Philmont trek. A long time waiting for the opportunity to wear it, and I'll gladly do so on my Class A. Talked heartfully with David on the walk back to our tents; it's been a tremendous fortnight for us both.
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| On the road to Rayedo Turnaround |
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| The end of the trail: Rayedo Turnaround, and the road up ahead. |
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| Kit Carson's house (well, his courtyard and garden) |
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| Looking back towards Trail Peak and the hike we completed |
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| John: Hmmm, what to have for dinner. Zack: I know! Burgers all around! |
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| The St James Hotel, in downtown Cimarron |
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| The Tooth of Time looming over Tent City |
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| Homebound Tent City with Tooth Ridge to the right...see you again? |
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