Meltdown Cured by a Tiny Bouquet

August 19, 2025

Mile 50.7-65.7 of Collegiate West (15 miles) (Salida)

Waking up early = getting to town early. That was the carrot dangling in front of me that forced me out of the warm quilt and into the crisp morning air before the sun warmed us.

We hiked separately most of the morning and as I struggled up one of the climbs gasping for breath and feeling weak my mind attacked me again. I desperately needed a hug but knew Henry was miles ahead of me and tried very hard to not have a meltdown. I cried the whole way down the other side of the mountain feeling hopeless and sad (about what? couldn't tell ya.)

Later I came around a turn in the trail and Henry was sitting on a boulder patiently waiting for me. Tears were running down my face and I threw my pack down and climbed into his lap. We sat and talked for awhile and I told him how I felt numb to everything around me and felt like I couldn't truly appreciate the beauty because I was struggling so much. Henry hugged me, popped a little caffeine cap in my mouth, kissed my forehead and picked me a little bouquet of wildflowers. Truly lifted my spirits so much the remainder of miles flew by for me.

We took a dirt road down to the main road into town and stopped to talk to Cave Bear who we've been flip flopping with for days. We popped open our umbrellas when it started to rain and threw out our thumbs, almost instantly getting a hitch into Salida. They dropped us off at the Gateway Inn and we checked in early, relaxed awhile and then walked to get shampoo and conditioner from the dollar store.

I was comparing various bags of epsom salt when I heard Henry a few aisles over exclaiming "I can't believe it's you!" and followed the booming echo of his voice to find him standing there with Andy! We met him and his friends on the AZT last year. What are the chances we run into him here in Salida? He tells us he's working here for the summer and gave us his phone number so we could meet up while in town.

Back at the hotel we showered and ate our Dominos pizza, it was mid. When a hiker says pizza is mid that's pretty bad. Then we mustered our energy and walked to Safeway to resupply so we wouldn't have to on our zero tomorrow. I had no real plan for my resupply and had to buy a good bit since our next section is 100 miles. Resupplying is usually stressful for me but I just wound my way through the aisles, took my time and bought whatever sounded appetizing. We walked back to the hotel in the dark, the warm night air making beads of sweat pop up on my forehead.

I took an epsom salt bath in the jacuzzi tub and posted some pics, checked in with family. Fell asleep in the nice comfy king bed watching a movie.