The spirit returned to my footsteps these past few days. Miraculously I finish each day at the front of the march pack. As we cross yet another desert (the Sonoran) marchers spread out so that hours separate us at the end of the day. Today was a 16 plus mile day. At the junction of Highway 72 and Highway 60 we had an old gas station to visit for cold drinks and ice cream. It had been 3 days since my last taste of the outside world. Desert walks raise the spirit, but ice cream on a stick in the Sonoran is a sublime experience. The sun and dry breezes pull out all the water I can put into my body. Six miles further down Highway 60 a group of us spot the Ironhorse Bar and have a cold beer before walking the last few miles into Salome Arizona. While still thousands of miles from home, I’m on a highway that literally connects me to that place. Our campsite is on a ball field at Centennial park just outside Salome. There is a campfire tonight with guitars playing. We have a day off tomorrow and everyone is in a celebratory mood. The stars are out and darkness brings a desert chill. My grungy sleeping bag begins to look inviting once again.

Walking into the Sonoran Desert

Walking three miles of track to beat trafic

Jimmy Betts plays viloin on Hwy 72

Abandoned tanks on Jonoba Bean farm

Sean and Benjamin catch shade in RR culvert