Monday August 25, 8.2mi/13.2km

Jarbidge River (x/5650ft) to Pine Creek CG (x/6580ft) (NV)

I didn’t cover many miles today but I was productive in eating many calories and getting my resupply box. I had five more miles on the dirt road to get into the town of Jarbidge, which went by quickly.

I had sprinkles of rain for half an hour but otherwise perfect hiking weather. It was Monday in a small town, which means many things are closed, it was a quiet walk through the tiny town.

I went to the only place that was open on Monday, the Outside Inn, in which is a cafe/ bar/ Hotel/ slot parlor.

I decided to go big on breakfast and really load up the calories. Not pictured, a slice of blueberry pie and some key lime ice cream.

The owner and the only guy working the place on Monday was super friendly, it was initially easy to make conversation with Chase, though the more he talked, the more bigoted/racist he sounded. This place clearly catered to travelers, since I was also able to get a shower for $10 and charge my devices. And there was the option of laundry which I declined. Apparently there are a decent number of cross-country bicyclists, BDR dirtbike riders, and a dozen hikers to come through here every year. After breakfast I went across the street to the community Hall, to check out their historic displays.

There was also a neat little jail.

After sightseeing, I walked a block over to the Post Office, which is only open 11-3 on Monday, Wednesday, Fridays.

I grabbed my resupply box which had been sitting there for a few months, because I mailed it before I had changed my hiking plans to hike Idaho southbound. The PO lady was super chatty, and seemed to know a lot of stuff, but she kept repeating some of it, she said her brain hasn’t been the same since her stroke. As I was leaving the post office, a UPS van drove by, apparently she had driven by me a few days ago in the desert, and regretted not stopping to talk to me. She asked me some standard hiking questions and then complimented my legs on how muscular and tan they looked… I definitely didn’t expect that. I went over to the picnic tables in front of the firehouse, and packed my resupply food.

As I was walking out of town, another lady on an ATV was driving by with her dogs. She also stopped to compliment me on my legs.

Do the citizens of Jarbidge really value legs?! The exchange made me smile and laugh a little bit, it seemed like such a friendly town. Though by mid-afternoon I had my fill of socializing for the day and was happy to be hiking back into the Wilderness. Some jokester was in charge of the road signs around here.

I hiked only 3 miles out to the Pine Creek campground, a free USFS campground.

It’s always nice having a table to sit at and eat dinner. I thought I was getting to camp at 5pm, but really it was only 4pm since now I’m back in Nevada, which is Pacific time. Oops. So I read some of my book and went to bed early.