Sometimes when I'm bored and there isn't a good fill spot, I make thee water funnels instead of scooping the water.
Miles Today: 18.9
Mile Marker: Trent’s Grocery 608.5
This morning was nice and leisurely. I slept in until 8:00 because I didn't sleep very well. Another hiker showed up around 10:00 which woke me up. That was okay, but it woke Grok up too, and he spent the next few hours with lights on in the other room wandering around. Also as I said, the mattress wasn't particularly great.
I got back to the trail around 10:00. For the first part of the day I slowly bumped along. Water spots were few and far between and really low when I got there. For the first time I had to get water from a stagnant pool. It was deep enough I was able to put my thumb over my water bottle and plunge below the sketchy top film and fill from below. The water was really clear and still cold. In theory that means it is still coming from a spring, but just too slowly to have a flow going. When I found water I hung around and cameled up. The weather is only in the 80s, but with a pack on I am sweating profusely. I think temps in the 50s are ideal for hiking, so when it's in the 80s and the trail is uphill it feels like the peak of Texas summer. It should be interesting to see how I feel when temps are nearing 100 and so is the humidity.
Around 4:00 I realized if I did another 9 miles before 7:00 I could get to Trent's Grocery and get a pizza. Motivation engaged! I made it in time to get a 12” pizza with about five toppings, two 20oz Gatorades, and a package of Grandma's chocolate chip cookies. The grocery store is a half mile off trail, but they also offer camping including a shower and laundry for $6.00. So worth it. They will be open for breakfast tomorrow before I leave too.