We’re at the end of two consecutive rest days, days that were needed after four backpacking days and with what the next few days will present.
Yesterday was our anniversary and we spent the day wondering Santa Fe, hanging out poolside, sipping margaritas, and going on a date night to a renowned New Mexican restaurant. I also got to have a long video chat with my mom to wish her a happy birthday.
This morning we hit up the suburbs of Santa Fe: Target and Trader Joe’s. I think we’re mostly restocked for the remainder of the trip now. We made the five hour drive to Leadville, where it’s cold and rain fell most of the afternoon. We got the last campsite, a huge relief and paid for three nights. The tents were up just as the rain really started to fall, a big relief. We repacked day packs and organized the car.
Five years ago we were here to tankle the same mountain we’re doing tomorrow. We had read that garlic is a good food to consume prior to climbing 14ers and all remember the garlic pizza we had at High Mountain Pies. Fortunately, the pizzeria was still open and the pizza was just as good as we remembered. I guess it’s tradition now that we eat this pizza before crazy hikes near Leadville.
We’re in tents early, hoping to squeeze every moment of possible sleep out of the upcoming hours. The plan is to be on the trail before 5:30.
