Day 17 – 5/9/13 – 23.5 mi (314.9)

It was a long road walk down from Mangas mountain, around volcanic buttes and past miles of barbed wire fence and no trespassing signs into Pie Town. The only excitement of the day was seeing a pair of javelinas, which are big ugly wild pigs.

The main attraction of Pie Town is actually not the pie; it’s the Toaster House. Trail angel Nita owns a house right along the road the trail is on, and though she no longer lives in the house herself, she leaves it open to hikers and bikers coming through. Nita stocks the pantry with foods and the freezer with pizzas for hikers. Donations by those who stay fund these luxuries for future hikers. Shortly after arriving, Nita herself stopped by to meet us. She’s just a wonderful person.

We have all sent food to ourselves here, as there are no stores in town other than 2 cafes which primarily sell, wait for it, pie. A woman who works at one of the cafes stopped by the Toaster House after work and offered to go pick us up the last pie of the day, pecan, and bring it back for us to share. Then she gave Nita a ride home so we could borrow Nita’s car to go to the laundromat tomorrow morning. Such kindness!

About 10 of us are here tonight, gathered around a wood fire, enjoying each others company and a rest from hiking. Most of us plan to stay all day tomorrow and relax.

The Daily Ninjups Report
Five push-ups before leaving camp.