The Road goes ever on and on; Down from the door where it began;
Now far ahead the Road has gone; And I must follow, if I can;
Pursuing it with eager feet; Until it joins some larger way;
Where many paths and errands met; And whither then? I cannot say.

[JRR Tolkien, Lord of the Rings]

Tuesday 12 June 2012

Day 11 - 2 points of clarification

1) Trail names: for those who aren't familiar with the US hiking scene, most people walking the big trails go by a trail name. Some name themselves, but the done thing is to pick up a name on the trail. On Sunday we were sitting under a Joshua tree (what fine trees they are (although actually part of the lily family and not a tree at all)) and I asked Mick if he wanted fish and biscuits or fish and rice for lunch. A chap called Hollywood was nearby and thought it was the oddest, most revolting lunch he'd ever heard of. He was much relieved when we pulled out tuna and crackers. Seems it was a 'separated by a common language' issue. And hence when the group huddled at the Trail Magic tent yesterday decided we needed a name they settled on Fish and Biscuits. After a vote, I became Fish, because apparently Biscuits sounds more masculine.

2) I should clarify that when we were given ice-cream yesterday we were in the desert, 35 miles from the nearest town, without even running water, never mind electricity. Each day the trail angels do a run to town (which is where I am, typing this - we got a door-to-door ride to the PO, plus a bit of a road trip on the daily resupply round), and amongst the many supplies they get ice and ice cream which they pack in newspaper in some cool boxes.

Responses to Comments:

Conrad: I think of a Land Rover Track as an even-surfaced made track. The jeep tracks are rutted, thoroughly uneven, dirt tracks. So, although they are both vehicle tracks I wouldn't say that they're the same. Experience to date suggest that our LRTs are more akin to the US Forest Roads.

Alan: thanks for the trail name suggestions, but as you'll have seen, other hikers beat you to it! Hope you had a good time, wherever you've been!

Maike: the surroundings are stunning. I'm loving the views. Seen lots of wildlife, but no prairie dogs - which are quite similar to meerkats!
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