Day 208

It got down into the 20s. I was surprisingly able to stay warm in my sleeping bag. Not warm but not freezing either. I was ok. Put it that way. I waited until the sun was up before crawling out of my cacoon. 
I got a later start than I wanted to but I had no choice. I had to wait for that sun. I had a very hard time getting going this morning. It warmed up a little and there wasn’t much wind so I tried to focus on the good things. 
​i stopped for a break a few miles up the road. While sitting there, a minivan pulled up and two older gentlemen asked if I was walking the American Discovery Trail. I told them that I have been using it as a guide but making my own path as I go along. They were also hiking it. 80 year old twin brothers hiking the ADT. They were doing sections every year. 

Very nice guys. We talked for a while and took some pictures. They were impressed that I was doing it unsupported. I told them I had tons of support, just not out here with me. I was thrilled to have met them and they felt the same about me. Very cool moment. 
Not much longer, about 5 miles, a cyclist was coming up from behind. We stopped and chatted for a while. He is cycling from Kansas City to San Jose. Always cool to meet someone like that. 
Miles later, I looked over and saw an old tank in the middle of nowhere. It had something written on it. I had to wait until I got closer to read it. It said, “The loneliest tag in the world”.  In case you don’t know, a “tag” is a term used for graffiti. For example, “let’s go tagging” or “did you tag that wall by the bank yet?” Anyways, it was clever. I took a picture and went on with my life. 
I came upon a rest area that was about 5 miles short of where I wanted to make it to today. They had covered picnic tables. I decided to stay here. When you find a covered picnic table in the desert you use it. So I did. 
I hung around and enjoyed lounging around. The sunset was phenomenal. On my top 5 of the whole walk list. I settled in to my tent and tried to warm up a bit. I have a little gas stove that I cook with. I’ve used it for heat before. I just turn it on low and light it and then let it run for just a few seconds and it warms up my whole tent.  I decided to do that. 
Well the damn thing threw a flame out the size of Texas and I’m lucky I’m still alive. Unfortunately, my tent didn’t hold up too well. I have a huge hole the size of my face in the mesh. Thankfully, it didn’t get to my rainfly. I should be able to repair it with duct tape but I really screwed it up. Pissed me off but what can you do. I was the dummy that lit a fire in a flammable shelter.