Heat, Hills, and Highway 78/20

Daily miles: 44 miles | Total: 5,452.75 miles

Today began in the quiet chill just after 4am—no RV this time, but a new rhythm, a new routine. I sipped my cold coffee outside Michael’s car, double-checked all my gear (you only forget your sunscreen once out here!), and then hit the road for the first time from this new setup.

Michael and I planned to meet somewhere between mile 15 and 20. The morning was calm, but the moment the sun rose, the temperature started climbing fast. It got hot—really hot—and the effort started to weigh on me. Thankfully, Michael timed his arrival perfectly with icy hydration in hand. We met again in Riley, the only store along the whole 44-mile stretch. I stocked up on a few things, used the bathroom, and we made a plan for the final miles.

The landscape, while beautiful, was repetitive—wide open, exposed, and unforgiving under the sun. The elevation gain wore me down, and to be honest, my mood dipped. Not every day is magical, but every mile still counts.

At the end of a long, draining day, Michael found us a perfect camping spot just off the highway—a small win that felt huge. I collapsed on the ground for a while to let the exhaustion pass, then we had dinner and turned in early. Tomorrow’s another big one.

Thanks for sticking with me, Andrea