Day 50-Douglas to Lost Springs (26 Miles)

Staying true to the traditional routine of a rare stay in a hotel room, I savored the environment until checkout time at 11 am. Soon after I walked through downtown Douglas during the parade for the state fair. I only caught a glimpse of Smokey the Bear on the Forest Service float before I turned off to avoid the crowds. I walked to the start of Antelope Rd. where I started running for the day.

It became quickly clear why the road got its name as at least 20 antelope lined the first half mile. It was still early enough in the day where persistence hunting crossed my mind as a possibility for food if I were to run out of peanut M&Ms. These thoughts soon faded as the day took its toll.

The rolling hills of the road became relentless. Despite probably climbing over 1000 ft total on the day, it was a net elevation loss. All of the energy I had just put into climbing a hill was quickly wasted as I flew down the other side. My normal strategy of putting my head down and grinding it out, periodically checking on my progress, was thwarted by not having a shoulder to run on. Running in the lane of traffic, I had to constantly be staring at the crest of the hill to ensure I could get out of the way of any oncoming traffic from the oil/gas crews.

After the massacist roller coaster the road turned to gravel. I had been misinformed by a local at the College Inn who said the road was paved the entire way. It was well packed gravel, however, and didn't present too many additional challenges. During breaks, it was funny to look back and see the swerving of the tire tracks left by the cart. Some of the side to side movement was to find better traction, but most of it was because I was so tired and couldn't run in a straight line.

I arrived to the paved highway and later to Sawnee and found I had 5 miles to go to Lost Springs. I'd only gone 20 miles?! It felt like I had done 35, I may have been in a little trouble.

I trudged on to find the town with a posted population of 4 only to find the local bar and cafe is only open during hunting season. I ditched the cart at the city park and headed to the second hand store. Here I met Art who took pity on the weary traveler and gave me a Coke after I had spent all of my remaining cash in Douglas. A few minutes into talking with Art I had to excuse myself for fresh air as I felt I was going to pass out. I walked outside and threw up around the corner before heading back to the shade of the covered area to rest.

After feeling a bit better, I went back to Art to let him know I was alright. I learned that population of the town was now actually only 2, a new record low despite the old sign saying there was only 1. That mistake was made because only one citizen had filled out their census form. The city was pretty well up kept with only one run-down building and well maintained parks and roads. There was a statue commemorating the town as being the smallest incorporated town in the United States during the bicentennial, and I would be surprised if it isn't still the smallest town in the whole country now.

I was warned of midnight sprinklers in the nice grass of the city park, so I set up camp behind town hall. I wasn't worried much of any trouble since half of the town's population gave me permission to stay there.

Tracks from the cart on Antelope Rd.