Thursday, April 1st

Carol took us out to marker 28 this morning. Wind gusts were up to 40mph. It came across us from south to north, but as the road turns, it was hitting us more in our face. After we had walked 5 miles, Carol drove us back to the RV park. We drove through a minor dust storm. Visibility was limited, at times, to about a half mile. I'm sure the locals have seen much worse, but I had not.

We have been walking in the "Jordana del Muerto", which translates into "journey of the dead man". It was a south to north route traveled by early Spanish travelers. It is noted for it's complete lack of water.

Yesterday I wrote that Bingham consisted of one building, Bingham Rock Shop. I got the number and the name wrong, it is Blanchard Rock Shop and there are two buildings. The rock shop was having a sale on Trinitite.This is the glass that was formed at "Ground Zero" during the world's first atomic bomb blast. (more about the Trinity Site later) The other building was a house that had two signs out front, "Carrizozo Cider for sale" and "closed". They probably don't sell much cider.

Ruth fixed us some delicious potato soup and banana pudding or lunch. Yum-O!

Back out this afternoon, we walked another 4 miles. The wind almost won the first mile. Toughest mile yet, but we kept walking. We are starting to go uphill and the terrain is changing from desert cactus to scrub Cedar trees. We are on the Chupadera Mesa and will be there until we go beyond Carrizozo. John had found a box of cable ties this morning and this afternoon, he found even a bigger box. I found a pair of blue jeans and a kids hooded sweatshirt. Nine miles today. Stay tuned....