Giving up the Ghost

[Mags]

Well..not really. But I am now at Ghost Ranch and at
6500' elev.

This church run ranch is rather low key and friendly.
They take packages. No preaching, just nice people.
And all the meals are AYCE!

The main claim to fame is that Georgia O' Keefe
painted around here. Dinosaur bones were also found
on the grounds. The library is open 24/7, so suspect
will be relaxing and indulging a bit of reading on the
local history.

The landscape reminds me a bit of Utah rather than the
high country of Colorado I left a few days (and 4000'
elev loss) ago. Red sandstone, juniper pines, sage
brush. More of that desolate beauty that can be so
striking.

Higher up, elk season is in full blast. The hunters
have totally hooked me up. The trail went by some elk
camps. Not only was I offered congratulations (they
see CDT hikers every year, they said), but was given
that luxury of luxuries for me: COFFEE!

Pick up my last packet of maps in a few days. Hard to
believe, but this little walk is almost over.

until next time,

Mags

ps. Sorry if I don't respond to the yahoo address.
Intenet time is limited. Anything sent to my "pmags AT
pocketmail" addie I will do my best to respond to
personally. :-)

[emerald]

The trail went by some elk camps. Not only was I offered congratulations (they see CDT hikers every year, they said), but was given that luxury of luxuries for me: COFFEE!

Glad to see that people pursuing different objectives in the backcounty can get along and enjoy one another's company. I suspect that the Elk hunters were out there for many of the same reasons you are.

Looking forward to seeing you post more frequently here again soon.

[Mags]

Never had any problems with hunters. Heck..been to a few game dinners in
my time. Homemade venison sausage anyone? Yummy....

All the hunters I have met have been great, friendly people. Sure, there are probably some "yahoo" hunters...but like any bunch of people (including hikers), the majority are nice people who enjoy the outdoors.

As the CDT is often on jeep roads, I ran into some ATVers who have been very helpful, too.

Not my cup of tea, but if they are there legally, no problem. A smile and a hello goes a long way to making people friendly to you! (No longer a damn yuppie/hippie backpacker..but a guy who seems nice.. :D)(

Well, off to hit the trail again. Totally blanked this weekend was columbus day weekend..had to forward my last map drop to a hostel that is thankfully just up the trail from Cuba! Funny how things work out!

[the goat]

enjoy the rest of your hike, mags. can't wait to see the rest of your pics!