Cowboy Trail

Well, today is my first day on the trail. I actually stayed an extra day at the hotel partly because I was sore from the bus ride to Nebraska, but partly because I was nervous to begin. I really haven't done anything quite like this since my time in the military 13 years ago.

It's really beautiful out here. There really isn't any other way to describe it. I've seen flocks of butterflies, rabbits, all kinds of birds and hordes of grasshoppers leaping out of the way of my cart.

Lunch was interesting. I've never used those little sterno propane tanks with those camp stoves before so after a little fumbling, got that figured out. I'll have some more fumbling to do later on with the tent.



But I don't mind. I feel alive.

Before I set out for this trip, I really felt like I was waiting to die. Death by the mundane. Work, eat sleep, rinse and repeat.

I'm still a little nervous, with many miles before me, but feeling good about this decision.

I'll see about a way to post the pictures I've been taking. Any suggestions? Imger maybe?

This is not what I need to read, LoL. I fantasize escape from the "mundane." It truly sounds beautiful. I just tell myself to wait for retirement and to try to retire early.

First of... be safe!!!

Seconly...how I wish I could join the adventure

Thirdly... wishing you a blast...

Last but not least...I'll leave the video below for some encouragement should the need arise.

Girl in the video is a triple crown holder (or at least I think that's what's referred to as ) in that she hiked Appalachian trail, Continental divide and Pacific Crest in their entirety.

Posted by VenusAquarius
This is not what I need to read, LoL. I fantasize escape from the "mundane." It truly sounds beautiful. I just tell myself to wait for retirement and to try to retire early.

It gets really easy to wait. Sometimes you just gotta go

Posted by ATGR
Enjoy the trip and send us lots of pics. I use imgbb.com to host pics. You choose the HTML fully linked option then copy and paste the URL in the middle, like this:

I got a town coming up, second to next leg where I'm gonna take a zero day to do laundry and I'll work on the pics then

Posted by Argus
First of... be safe!!!


Seconly...how I wish I could join the adventure


Thirdly... wishing you a blast...


Last but not least...I'll leave the video below for some encouragement should the need arise.

Girl in the video is a triple crown holder (or at least I think that's what's referred to as ) in that she hiked Appalachian trail, Continental divide and Pacific Crest in their entirety.

Thank you, and i think you'd really like it. It's been a helluva experience so far.

Also, she's a beast! I've heard about her and will watch that video tomorrow when I hit town. Thanks for linking it

Well, day 2 has passed. But let's backtrack to the first night. Wow, fireflies everywhere. I did not expect that at all, and definately lent a little bit of a magic feeling. Also, it got dark. I mean can't see squat without a flashlight dark. But man were the stars overhead shining as bright as I've ever seen them.



Also, the deer came out as the sun was going down. One was kind of bounding along toward before it finally actually saw me and I could almost see the confusion as to why I was out there.

The night passed pretty smoothly, I woke up a few times to coyotes doing their kind of howling bark they do.

And then that leads me to this morning where I absolutely had to haul ass. I made a mistake the first day out. I was late getting started and so I hiked during the day. And I ran through most of my water, even the water that I didn't think I'd even touch. In fact, I was on my last few mouthfuls as I pulled into town. I have a sawyer squeeze, so push come to shove, I could have pulled water from some of the ponds, but it was still spooky. I made my mileage during the morning hours and like my Mexican brothers and sisters, had my siesta when the sun really got to work.

The town was nice. Picture everything positive you ever throught about small town America and you'd have a good mental image of Battle Creek, NE. I spent a few hours at the library, guzzling water and reading Gary, Paulson, grabbed another entire gallon of water from the store and then went over to the local water hole and had a few.

Folks around here *talk.* They wanna know who you are, what your story is and the whole nine. I've found that most are either really into what I'm doing, or think I've lost a few marbles. Maybe I have? Who knows? So long, Battle Creek.

sounds like a clint eastwood movie scene before all the things start happening. super chill 😎😎

Posted by virgoOPPP
sounds like a clint eastwood movie scene before all the things start happening. super chill 😎😎

I definately am feeling a bit like a drifter atm to be sure

Posted by Seajatt
Well, day 2 has passed. But let's backtrack to the first night. Wow, fireflies everywhere. I did not expect that at all, and definately lent a little bit of a magic feeling. Also, it got dark. I mean can't see squat without a flashlight dark. But man were the stars overhead shining as bright as I've ever seen them.



Also, the deer came out as the sun was going down. One was kind of bounding along toward before it finally actually saw me and I could almost see the confusion as to why I was out there.


The night passed pretty smoothly, I woke up a few times to coyotes doing their kind of howling bark they do.


And then that leads me to this morning where I absolutely had to haul ass. I made a mistake the first day out. I was late getting started and so I hiked during the day. And I ran through most of my water, even the water that I didn't think I'd even touch. In fact, I was on my last few mouthfuls as I pulled into town. I have a sawyer squeeze, so push come to shove, I could have pulled water from some of the ponds, but it was still spooky. I made my mileage during the morning hours and like my Mexican brothers and sisters, had my siesta when the sun really got to work.


The town was nice. Picture everything positive you ever throught about small town America and you'd have a good mental image of Battle Creek, NE. I spent a few hours at the library, guzzling water and reading Gary, Paulson, grabbed another entire gallon of water from the store and then went over to the local water hole and had a few.


Folks around here *talk.* They wanna know who you are, what your story is and the whole nine. I've found that most are either really into what I'm doing, or think I've lost a few marbles. Maybe I have? Who knows? So long, Battle Creek.

Is there a particular landmark/city or a goal in general you are intent on accomplishing or is it just one of those things where you just follow the gut for the lack of better words!? Also, is there an established trail you're hiking or are you making it up as you go 😁

BTW, devil may care what ppl may or may not think, no? You ought to be a bit cray cray ... it makes this earthly experience tad bit more exciting! Like I said in my previous post, I wish I was about a decade younger & didn't have all my animals so I could lock up my house & set off on an adventure. Alas..

At any rate, me thinks, what you're are doing requires a special set of cojones!

Do report in when you get a chance just to let us know all is good! 👍