Oct 13: Colorado City

Well, not quite yet. We're in a draw just outside town. A little too close to the noisy highway to be truly pleasant, but in or close to the Cottonwood Point Wilderness. The timing was such that we could have camped in the nothing-but-sagebrush before the highway that we've been in all day and had more to walk tomorrow, or in slightly nicer junipers closer to town, except the highway is indeed really loud. (My fault, I of course always push for more mileage.) Neither of us wanted to go get a hotel room in town, as it was a further walk plus we don't know if smelly hikers will be received well.

Anyway, we walked roads all day, and there was plenty of water, but often nothing but sagebrush and tumbleweed as far as the eye could see. I quite liked, except for one sandy bit and a small headache. 

One of the checkdams early on had some cow water. Then Yellowstone Spring had basically a swimming pool of water. Then Maroney Well was running, though it tasted of iron. 

As soon as Yellowstone Spring we were on top of the rise 20 miles from Colorado City so we got cell reception. I binged on podcasts, but this actually makes the day feel slower and longer. Almost like I should enjoy the present moment and not constantly distract myself. Nah, that can't be it.

We'll hit the grocery store first thing, then maybe the Post Office if they're open, but otherwise we're booking out of town to get as close to Zion as possible.