Wilderness Quest 2011 - Part 9

Second day of solo continued...


It all began while I was taking my first "bath" since entering the desert. Let's see.  I'd been in the desert for five days by then.  With no bath.  Just a little spritzing around the face and feet.  (So THAT'S what I was smelling!)  Yeah, it was about time. 

I had stood out by my luxurious restroom, taken my shirt off, hung it on a juniper branch, and washed my pits, when I realized that washing other parts would necessitate the removal of boots, socks, pants.  This is best done while sitting down and in a place where, once each foot was clean, it wouldn't have to be placed back on dirt.  So after putting my shirt back on, I crawled under my tarp.  There, I was shaded from the sun and I was on the somewhat clean surface of my groundcloth.

Washing my nekkid lower half, I noticed movement out of the corner of my eye.  Now this tarp set-up... it isn't a tent.  I mean, a helicopter flying overhead would not see me, but someone walking by could certainly see in.  And there those someones were.  The two quest leaders walked within, oh, about 30 feet of my tarp, and from what I could tell, they never once looked my way.  I was certain that they had to have seen me in my half-dressed state, but later on when I asked about it, they denied ever knowing that me and my tarp were ever there.

Maybe these intentions to be invisible really work!

But hold on a minute.  No, they don't.  Later in the day while I was eating my nuts and dried fruit, ANOTHER two-legged approached me.  It was beautiful to see her smiling face.  But I started to wonder...

Had I forgotten to put up my Do Not Disturb, Solo in Session sign?





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