Saturday, April 12th

We started at mile marker 122 today and our goal was mile marker 138. Within a hour or so, we reached Blouse, Arizona. Not much here, a gas station, 2 stores, 2 restaurants and about a half dozen RV parks which are used mostly by "snow birders" who have all gone north by now. We did stop at the Ocotilla Bar and Restaurant to say hello to George Nauht. We met George at the Rotary Club meeting in Parker on Thursday. He then said to stop by when we reach Blouse and he would buy us a beer. John doesn't drink beer, but I do, so I was going to take George up on his offer. We chatted with George and said we would be back later for dinner and my beer. We walked on and found a dirt service road that paralleled the highway and we walked on it much of the time. We didn't have the stress of looking out for trucks all the time. Our only excitement was that we found some sidewinder tracks in the dust of the road. Sidewinder make an unusual track that looks like a "J" as they crawl sideways through the desert. We finished at mile marker 138, cleaned up and headed for the Ocotilla Bar and Restaurant. The place was full or locals and reminded John of the bar in "Cheers". Although not quite as nice as the bar in "Cheers" The locals that came in just helped themselves to whatever they wanted and they all knew each other. George wasn't there, but Junior was. I told Junior about the free beer and he said that was no problem. The food was the problem. Tasteless burger and greasy fish. Oh well, there will be better restaurants down the road. Today I found a screwdriver, a 1/2 inch wrench and a dime. I put 16 miles on my New Balance 926. Stay tuned ....