Day 36, May 23: Zero in Hikertown

• Start: Hikertown - Mile 517.6

• End: Hikertown - Mile 517.6

• Miles: 0

• Ascent: 0 | Descent: 0

At Hikertown, I woke up slow and hung out in my room, grateful for a little secluded time. Finally I wandered outside to hang out with other hikers and eat some breakfast. I got a ride to the nearby Neenach market in a van stuffed with 10 hikers. From the grill at the market, I ordered a burger and sweet potato fries and sat down at some tables outside, where I met lots of hikers including Rookie, Gummy Bear, Choo Choo, Boop and others. The owner of the market gave us cups of free ice cream, and we eventually got a ride back to Hikertown.

I hung out with Spinewalker, Popeye, Amy, Grandpa and Christina for a while, and generally lazed about all day. Martha made her homemade tamales every day, but she was running a bit late on this particular day. I went to my room for only a little bit to zone out, and when I came out to ask about the tamales, they were all gone. Completely decimated by all the hungry hikers. I guess that’s what I get for not staying nearby! Kindly, Martha had set two vegetable tamales aside I think for someone else, but offered them to me. So sweet of her.

I watched yet another big group of hikers get body painted and adorned with glow sticks for their sunset hike out. I helped paint Squirrel Daddy’s face, and I felt like I was doing a great job when I was up close, but burst out laughing when I pulled back. It didn’t quite turn out like the vision I had in my head. I tried to wipe it off for him but it was stuck. Sorry dude! 😂

After the group took off, I retired to my room early as I was planning to hike out in the wee hours of the morning.