Day 19: A Day with Kindergarten Cop

(242 to 260 = 18 miles)

Trail-side show!

This morning, in my hurry to warm up, I caught up to Kindergarten Cop.  And we hiked together the entire day.  The terrain was fairly easy, and, with the constant chatter between us, the miles flew by.  Kids, parenting, parents, police work, ranger work, religion, Eastern medicine, swimming, hiking, horses, horse manure, dairy farm ice cream, books, snap judgments, cooking, jewelry ... we were all over it.  The man has a million stories, and I love listening to them.  And exchanging police/ranger war stories is always a pleasure -- great chance to learn from someone else's successes and mishaps. 

 

Trail magic.

 It's more than just that though.  It's finding a kindred spirit.  You know the feeling.  Those people with whom long explanations are unnecessary but long stories are welcome and sought after.  We don't get to bump into these people all that often.  To spend a day hiking along side one, well, that's golden.  Add a little trail angel magic, a bear, and çell service to call loved ones, and you have the makings of a great day.

A gorgeous little desert flower.

Handstands for 250 miles!

Kindergarten Cop can do handstands, too.
Yes, he was a gymnast among other things.