TD Day 7: Davila Ranch – paradise

Tl:Dr; long day, plenty of challenge then: Surprise! Davila Ranch is a donation rest stop paradise. Skip past the preamble to the important part: Davila Ranch. Happy Juneteenth!

For various reasons (see Taint Misbehaving) I haven’t been going quite as far as I’d thought. I seem to be petering out around 50-60 miles. Maybe the heat? Maybe it’s just hard considering sitting on that saddle again, maybe it’s the reservoir water.

Anyway – I’d hoped to push about 73 miles to Pietown, and get there early. Word  is stuff closes early.

The morning was _much_ better than yesterday. Mostly just putting away miles.

I was feeling pretty panicked about water after last night, so stopped at Y-Ranch. They were helpful, I got some water from a cow watered after they pointed the way. Lots of aquatabs in that. Then another friendly New Mexican generously gave me a bit more. She’s on her way to go see the rolling stones in Denver.

After I got out of the Gila, just before going back in there was a big Fire sign on the road. After some consideration I pushed onwards and upwards 800ish feet of elevation to <campground> and was rewarded by  getting some water from firefighter (thank you!).

But even so, by 5:00 I’m pretty much pooped out, the roads are sandy with intermittent rocks, rough going. But so close to Pietown, just 14 miles away!

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the sign for Davila Ranch. It was not at the location listed in the ACA app, and some of the points of interest have been less than totally interesting. I almost skipped it. So happy I did not.

Davila Ranch

This is a rest station mostly for CDT hikers.

It has:

• Running water
• Wifi
• Showers & a toilet
• Laundry & a fridge
• Eggs, potato’s, onions
• Gas cooking
• Utensils, plates and silverware
• Shelter
• Fire pit, tables
• A donation box

Did you see that last thing? This is all on _donation_. The owner (John) stopped by after a while just to fix things up (how could it be more perfect?!?). Really lovely guy. The ranch is here to help the CDT hikers make it through NM. Sounds like most of the bikers skip it. But Why?!? (For me, I was in a rush to get to Pietown).

Finding something like this when you’re pooped out is… It’s just amazing. Thank you Davila ranch.