[Day 9] Flagstaff Urban Route

Under the morning clouds of Flagstaff, I walked my way into town. Instead of following the winding greenway to a highway a ways outside of downtown, I went even more urban and took sidewalks straight into downtown. I wasn’t missing too much except more dry forest.

I arrived downtown around 10am and went straight to breakfast at MartAnnes, a local joint known for chilaquiles (essentially breakfast nachos/enchiladas). I elected for the Jerry El Mujeriego, which basic translates “Jerry (presumably a gringo) the womanizer.” Why not?

How many calories do I eat on a day? Hard to say — it depends much on where my body is at in the hike. Early in a hike, such as this one, I have baby fat to burn. I manage to skip breakfast entirely, and I often won’t eat until after noon. From sun up to sun down, early in a hike like this, I’m only eating on the order of 2,000 to 3,000 calories. By 600 miles into this hike, I would add another 750 calories to that number — 2,750 to 3,750 calories. I am always running a deficit, that is for sure. In town — man — I might eat 6,000+ calories when I’m in and out in a day.

After breakfast, I headed to the park and library to charge up my devices and wait for a preliminary job screening with a previous employer. I haven’t applied to any jobs yet, but I guess someone wants me for something.

Around 3pm, I headed for MartAnne’s again for a filling lunch and dinner. Then, I walked across town and resupplied at Walmart. By the time I was out of the store, the sun was setting.

I walked my way back towards trail and a McDonald’s was on the way. I needed to loiter and charge my phone before leaving. But, they had stripped this restaurant of all outlets and added a 30 minute loiter time limit. Is this because it’s on the official urban route of the AZT? I have to guess so.

I left McDonald’s, headed for the Taco Bell, also on my way of out town. This is where things got bizarre. After crossing a big intersection, one of my hiking poles fell off my backpack — they were loosely strapped atop with the y-strap. I carried the pole. In the dark, no street lights around, near what appeared to be a bus stop, a dark hooded figure approached me. Next thing I realize, this guy attempts to swing downward on my head with what I believe was a glass bottle tucked mostly into the sleeve of his jacket. I duck forward. The object nicked my hairline, glancing on my hair. Turning quick, I stabbed with my hiking pole and nailed this guy in side of the ribs with the carbide tip of my pole. He ran. I wanted to chase, but I also didn’t want to follow this fellow into the bushes of Methstaff. There was a lot of aggressive swearing on my end. Was this attempted murder? I think not — probably a smash and grab. I guess these are the ugly aspects of an “urban” route — oh, the things that happen on the walk between McDonald’s and Taco Bell.

I walked a mile or so out from Taco Bell into the forests. It’s definitely warmer in the trees than in town. I’ll likely sleep in some tomorrow — I’m fine with a lower 20 mile day.

Signing off,

Zeppelin

“Freak on a Leash”