Cowboy and I hit the trail together and did the remaining 26 miles from our camp to Ghost Ranch. Most of the day was spent traversing long flat ridges with ever decreasing altitude and increasing aridity. The views south were spectacular as it looked out over huge plateaus and mesas.
The trail began to wind through a gently sloped sandy region filled with huge Cholla cactus. You have to pay attention to not brush against them or the huge spines will stick you and the segments will come off. Picking them off your shoes or legs is a very slow and careful operation to avoid getting pricked all over again.
We still had a few miles remaining when it got dark so we brought out the headlights. Unfortunately both of our batteries were dying and they got progressively dimmer as we continued down the canyon above Ghost Ranch. The trail here is beautiful, but requires a lot of scrambling around and over large boulders and stream crossings. Unfortunately we were racing the darkness and it was difficult to enjoy. I was concerned about breaking a leg on the rocks in the dark. By the time we got to Ghost Ranch we could barely see.
We were just passing the trail where I entered Ghost Ranch from the south so many months ago. I was pointing it out to Cowboy when suddenly a bunch of people jumped out of the darkness on the other side of the trail yelling and firing things at us. Scared the crap out of me. It was Barb and Lauren and Andy and my grandsons firing those party poppers! I was surprised and overwhelmed and so proud and happy. I love them all so much! One of the happiest moments of my life!
This reunion was a total surprise to me. Barb had told me that it didn’t make sense and cost too much for everyone to fly all the way out there and I had reluctantly agreed. I thought it was just going to be me and Cowboy at the end, and I would be leaving him the next day to somehow find my way home to Seattle.
I later found out my good friends Paul and Tammy were also nearby in Santa Fe. They had driven all the way from Oklahoma City to meet me at the end, but my last minute push to finish caught everyone by surprise and they couldn’t get to Ghost Ranch in time. I am looking forward to seeing them tomorrow!
We talked for a bit and said a sad goodbye to Cowboy, who decided to stealth camp near Ghost Ranch. We loaded into the rental car and drove to Santa Fe to begin the journey home. Wow. I can’t believe it’s over and I’m overwhelmed with happiness and gratitude. This has been the most amazing adventure of my life. 🙂