Slowly but surely we are changing our rhythm from day to night. This means that today we started at „cool“ 26 degrees at about 01.15 a.m.
In the beginning it went relatively well and I was making good progress. But at 07.00 a.m. it happened, the scorching sun of California appeared behind the desert mountains!
As during the first days the running route is similar to my bike route the Sand Hills – the sandy desert landscape – was familiar to me and I still had it in „hot“ memory.
Now, reaching the other side, it suddenly seemed as if somebody disconnected the plug so I had to change into walking mode. Abruptly it was intolerably hot.
From then onwards running was not possible any more, I faced almost 50 degrees in the sun. So I walked like Moses in his times because I also had to fulfil a (my) mission.
It must have looked very pitiful the way I preceded, as almost each of the few cars that were passing by, stopped. They either wanted to give me a ride or offered me water. And finally it happened! About 400 m away from our mobile home where the team was waiting with food and water I was absolute unable to convince one driver to let me continue and he insisted to give me a lift.
As I did not want to insult him, I took this as a „heat bonus“ and he was extremely happy to drive me to the mobile home!
Later a military convoy passed by and all soldiers showed the thumbs up which I took for „You „poor soul“ what did you do??“
Not long after that a sheriff stopped and expressed his serious concerns! And in the end of my ordeal I passed a border guard who is responsible for the border between Mexico and California. Again a continuation of my walk was not possible without accepting his help. I had to rest on a chair and accept water from him.
I waited for my dream team. Now only a few kilometres separated me from the salvation of this hell.
Can it even get worse??
…. I will probably find out tomorrow.
See you soon
Achim and Team
