To make up for the late start, we drove into the night, sleeping in a motel in southern Illinois. The next day was also a long driving one, but we made it just past Grand Island, Nebraska before dark. There are several state parks there along the interstate, so it was preferable to camp. Our logic was to drive longer days initially so we could explore more once we were out west. Our main deadline was Sacramento, CA by Saturday night so Matt could catch his flight.
The west is definitely the land of big skies. Nebraska's fields were still a bright spring green, and there was heavy dew on the grass and our tent in the morning. Wyoming, however, dried out into browns and mining towns. We camped Thursday night on the shore of the Flaming Gorge Reservoir.
Past Salt Lake City, we stopped to walk on (and taste) the salt flats.
That night, we drove not far from I-80 and camped in the Ruby Mountains of Nevada. Nevada certainly has the glitz of casinos and sells hard liquor on grocery store shelves, but I have a feeling there are many beautiful places in that state. Matt and I went for a run in the morning, and we highly recommend this spot.
It got very hot as we crossed into California. Declining the touristy Truckee for lunch, we were also rather hungry crossing the Sierras into Sacramento, CA. Christen and Rodney welcomed us into their home for a decadent fajita dinner. We met their three children for the first time. These are Aaron's photos with my camera:
Matt caught his flight, bound for the northeastern Maine and his third AT thru-hike (this time fast). I know he was anticipating his adventure, whereas for me, the daunting logistics were now behind me. After some encouraging advice from Rodney, I headed north towards Mt. Shasta and Castle Lake. 3020 miles total.
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