CDT 2024 - Day 7, Silver City
- David VanHandel
- May 4, 2024
- 3 min read
A new place to be - Walmart

Runningbird enjoying her Pop Tart. Gila National Forest, NM.
In the morning I woke about six, made coffee and checked to see if Runningbird was underway. Nope, not yet. So I made a quick decision and packed up the rig, took Beau for a quick morning walk and motored up the highway. It was a short drive to the trailhead parking lot where the Forest Service site was. I got parked a short distance from where I thought Bird had stayed and opened the back door for Beau. He jumped out, no leash, and bolted off into the bushes. I was about fifty yards in trying to find him when I heard Peggy yell "Hi Beau!" How did he know where she was? He dialed right in. Anyway, we had a nice good morning visit and spoke briefly confirming the pick-up spot for tomorrow.
Beau sat by me by the truck and we watched Runningbird circle the perimeter of the parking lot trying to find the shortest distance to get back on the trail. Finally she waved and went off into the trees. She had been gone several minutes and I opened the truck door and called Beau into the truck. He sat there whining. As soon as I walked towards him he bolted again and would not respond to the recall. I had to pull out my phone and bring up the Far Out app to see where the trail was and, leash in hand, headed off into the trees. Eventually Runningbird appeared walking back with Beau running hither and to about the forest like a crazed dog. He was ever so cautious to not get to close to either of us. He was possessed! We walked to the truck and Peggy got out his treats and had him go through all his tricks and then held his collar on the last "down" command. Hitched to his collar now, she took her second departure. And I had to pick him up into the truck again.
I had called ahead yesterday to the Walmart in Silver City to get clearance to stay the evening in their lot. I was going to be doing some shopping there and since I don't need hookups or anything, free is good. So that was my destination. But since it was still early, I pulled to the side of the highway and asked Google where the bakery was (if they had one). Bingo! They have three bakeries! Yes! A town. I drove to the first in a section of the old part of town. Several turns on one-way streets and narrow alleys and I found the bakery. It was a very cute part of town where everything was painted in nice colors with southwest landscaping and clean. The bakery was a small cute shop with all kinds of delights. I was overwhelmed. I made my purchase of a baguette, almond cream croissant, and two chocolate chip cookies. Details are important here. They had so many deliciously looking treats I had a difficult time. I told them I would be in town for two more days and would see them tomorrow. The croissant was soft, flaky, awesome and I had eaten it before I even pulled away from the curb. The cookies were gone while I was driving and I ate half the baguette after arriving at the Walmart. That was my breakfast.

Artisan Mill Bakery, Silver City, NM

Across the street from the bakery, Silver City, NM
Silver City is known for its copper mines and cattle. That's what the sign says. The town is much bigger than it seems and the majority of it is like any other large city in the middle of nowhere. Walmart, Tractor Supply Center, Ace Hardware, Home Improvement Center, Sonic, all on the major four lane highway going through town. It's the old town that is really cool with all the older and artsy shops, coffee houses, the bakeries and all nicely painted in south western colors. I unfortunately spent the later part of the day in the Walmart parking lot. It's a busy place. I did a good chunk of grocery shopping and bought some parts at Ace a couple blocks down. I was feeling fairly sluggish so I took a good nap. Not sure if it was a crash from all the pastries I ate this morning or maybe just depression from being in a Walmart parking lot. I don't think I'll do this again. I'll be picking up Runningbird tomorrow and I'll be able to safely drop the T@B at the KOA and we can do some exploring. I may even make Beau an appointment at the beauty shop. That's always good for a mood boost.
Comments