Day 110 (PNT 15)

Day 110 (PNT 15): 27 miles

I crawled out of my collapsed tent to start the day needing to get into Metaline Falls before the Post Office closed. I thought it was going to be all downhill, but early in the day the trail just seemed to descend and ascend repeatedly which was frustrating. I just wanted to fly and get to town.

I walked through some burn areas that felt like furnaces cause there was no shade. That was early in the day thankfully. But by the time I made it down on the road to walk into town, it was smokin hot.

I made it to town in time and picked up some new socks and rain pants from the post office. I then went to the town bar and hung out for a while. Mozzarella sticks, a burger, fries, and a 16 inch pizza might’ve been too much. I ate too much and ended up staying there for a long time. In the evening, a thru hiking couple from Switzerland came in and we talked for hours while in there.

I stayed way later than I expected, because I was having fun with other hikers and I was far too full to walk. I didn’t leave until around 9. They had a hotel room but I figured i would just camp in the park nearby. I didn’t ask anybody but a lot of small towns don’t care so I figured it’d be fine.

It took a while to find a spot hidden away and set up. As soon as I had everything set up and my head hit the pillow, the sheriff showed up. I could tell he didn’t really care but he politely told me to leave. Some loser dork must’ve called and complained. Even in my pre-hiking days, I can’t imagine ever being such a square I’d call the cops on someone setting up a tent in a park. To the narc that spent their Friday night calling the cops on me setting up my tent: I hope you get audited. It’ll probably be the most exciting thing that’s happened to you in a decade.

It was after 10pm now and I started walking out of town on the road. I walked over 2 miles before finding a pullout with some trees to hide me from the road where I camped. Got to bed after 11.

Song of the day: going to California-led zeppelin