May 10th--- Pie Town Zero

Nita's Front Door

     Breakfast was had while hanging out with the locals at the Daily Pie, one of two restaurants that are best known for serving up the flaky-crusted desserts for which the town was named.  It's virtually impossible as a hungry hiker to walk past the display case at the counter without your mouth watering.  My eye was set on the key lime, which for many years has been my favorite.  After filling our bellies, it was time for D.J. and Kerrie to set off on their bikes.  Saying our goodbyes, we soon saw them fading into the distance on the same road we'd be travelling down when our journey's continued. 
     Returning to the Toaster House, Why Not and Shroomer readied their gear for departure.  The only thing was that Shroomer had heard from me that Wyoming was not far behind and should arrive in Pie Town today.  Since he had spent some time on the PCT in 2010 hiking with her, he wanted to see her again.  Thankfully, she arrived before they left, enabling them to reacquaint, share some memories on the Pacific Crest and relate interesting anecdotes from the CDT.  After some period of delay, Nancy and Scott left Pie Town, following that dusty road the cyclists had.
     I spent the afternoon listening to the Eagles and Tracy Chapman, writing postcards, and waiting for my UPS supply package to arrive.  Unfortunately, it never did.  That means the earliest I'll be able to leave is sometime tomorrow.  Drat!  Oh well.  This certainly isn't the worst place to be stuck because it's comfortable and has all the amenities.  However, I didn't actually plan to take a zero day.  In order to console myself, I walked briskly to the Daily Pie to snag their last key lime pie. :-)
     In the evening I had the opportunity to get to know Wyoming better.  She and her husband had spent the last several years working in lodges in some of the western states, the most recent of which just happened to be in...You guessed it!... Wyoming.  A lover of things outdoors, she is actually going to have to leave the trail for a month as she attends a course with the National Outdoor Leadership School based in Lander, Wyoming.  I had to listen intently as she talked about her time as a Nobo on the PCT for she is very soft-spoken, at times her voice barely a whisper.  We swung a deal that I would get the wood stove started and in return for her cooking dinner she could have some of my pie.  Done!  My first warm supper on the trail.  Using my leftover tortillas, her rice, and a can of refried beans we found in the cupboard, we were soon dining on a fine Mexican feast. Finally, at 10 P.M., it was time for our siesta.  Buenas noches!

Zero Day

Kitchen Table and Wood Stove