Spartan Hike - Day 19

Hiker, and co-founder of American Spartan Inc, Captain Tommy Muir, continues to keep us updated on the day-to-day of the 425+ mile Spartan Hike, via emails spent from his phone.

"We awoke on the morning of Day 19 to pale white ceilings from the vantage point of clean sheets and comfortable beds. Taking advantage of our situation, we all took another long hot shower prior to meeting at the vehicles. Smelling decent and with coffee in hand, we drove to our starting point and hit the trail for the days 21.9. Savoring the feeling of our newly cleansed skin, we were reluctant to resume our standard 4mph pace. But as old habits tend to die hard, it was quickly back to normal under the cover of overcast skies. Each one of us maintained that pace for the duration on legs that immediately let us know that they were tired yet still capable. Arriving at the campsite, we had a little wind taken out of our sails when we saw all the signs informing us that wood fires were not permitted in LA County as we had grown quite fond of the heat they provided us. Normally, we'd also rely on the fire to additionally provide the heat to cook our meals but Gunny and his wonderful wife had different plans for us. Lilly, a phenomenal cook and total team player arrived at our campsite shortly after we did, with loads of food and she and Gunny's two young children in tow. She had prepared a wonderfully filling meal of fresh pulled chicken stew over our choice of noodles or rice, two homemade loaves of bread and a pumpkin pie for desert. While the finishing touches were being be put on dinner, we enjoyed watching their three year old son and two year old daughter have a wonderful time playing in and around our campsite. The smiles on their faces were ear to ear as they were pushing around toy tractors and then taking turns pushing one another in a four wheeled cart. Just as we began enjoying dinner, the dark clouds that were way out on the horizon had moved overhead and confirmed our suspicions as they began to drop tiny little pellets of rain. What started out slow, quickly picked up and in no time we had our overhead cover in place, ensuring we'd be able to enjoy the meal. After finishing several bowls a piece, one by one we faded away into our tents for the evening where we were sent off to sleep by the all too familiar pitter patter of ran splashing off our tent."

          Tommy Muir