Today’s hike to Grants what I wasn’t expecting. But in hiking, I’ve come to learn, nothing is what you expect! I had a good night’s sleep on the campsite from the lovely couple from St. Cloud, Minnesota. We both broke camp around the same time and said fond farewells. Then I was on my way.
I had a 10-mile (16.1 km) trek to cross I-40 and access a Subway. Score! The morning was mostly cloudy and cool, although the sun heated up near the end of the morning and it got quite toasty.
The Subway stop was heaven, in that I was able to rest, be in air conditioning, use a toilet and have a good sandwich. Then it was time to march on to Grants.
Destination: Grants
The next few hours were more challenging than I’d thought. It seemed like forever to reach the part of town where I’d hiked a few weeks earlier. The one bright spot was that the Junkyard Brewery was open. I’d seen it on my app before I’d arrived, 
but when I first passed it a few weeks ago, it was closed. But one of the bikers I met on the trail said it was great, so when I saw it was open, I stopped in for a stout, my favorite.
After enjoying a drink, I continued on to the Holiday Inn Express, my motel for two nights. I love this chain, but the Grants owner isn’t great, They won’t give you change for their laundry, nor do businesses in the area. I was able to scrape up enough change to wash my stinky duds, but not dry them. So they’re drying in my room. Oh – they also wouldn’t give change for maid tips! Crazy.
Snowshoe
Today’s Miles: 16.4 (26.4 km)
CDT Miles to Date: 478.7 (770.4 km)
CDT Miles to Go: 2,621.3 (4,218.6 km)
