Stage Two at MDS

before the start

The morning of stage two I was feeling so much better… so long as I didn’t eat that is. Once I got moving I could tell that my illness was past but I wouldn’t feel 100% better until day three. I had had my first good night sleep and was ready to see what the day had in store. This was a good day for me and I can see this by looking back at my pictures. I took a lot. Stage two was 38km and about 4 miles longer. I finished about an hour faster then day one and was thrilled with that.

We were told that it would be a hot day. I was excited to get going and see all that there was to see. This was a busy day as far as sights went. Lots to take in.

Before I left for MDS, I watched the DVD of last years race with my family and some friends. We all got a kick out of the Bulldog. I was happy to meet him at the start of stage two little did I know that we would spend some time together on the course. Rory is his name and he is one of those people that you meet at races who has an incredible story to share. I was very happy to have met him and spend the time that we did together during stage four, two days later.

Bulldog

One thing I really enjoyed about this stage was all that I was able to see. Lots of little huts and tents, and the Berbers were friendly to us as we passed by. We had to pass along what seemed like endless flat terrain and dried up lake beds. Here is my friend Georgia moving along on one of these sections. The day had just begun. We had no idea just how hot it would get.

Georgia moving along the dried lake bed

i saw many dwellings like this one

some locals

The children were always a joy for me to see and I wish that I could have communicated with them better but a high five and a smile seemed to be universal and always eagerly given! I was excited to email home and tell my son that they rode bikes here in the desert. My son Riley has been an avid bike rider as a way of transportation to and from school his whole life. I wondered where these boys went on their bikes.

the children were sweet

some boys had bikes

Many of the Europeans use trekking poles as they walked. Here I am with my hands behind me as a way to lift my pack up from behind. We also saw a lot of this early on because at this stage of the game we were still carrying a lot of weight. We would find all kinds of ways to lift the burden off our backs.

using trekking poles

We passed the occasional goat herder along the way. It was fascinating when we saw camels grazing. By the time we reached the salt flats it was blistering hot. I had no idea how hot it got until I was done with the stage and was told that it was somewhere around 126-130. I really felt that I was able to keep myself hydrated and cooled down by the things that I had learned while crewing at Badwater and also by attending two Dreamchaser Camps out in Death Valley. I was relatively comfortable and was ecstatic that I was feeling better and able to move.

the salt flats at about 126 degrees

many herds of goat along the way

As we got close to CP3 (Check Point) we went through a small development which was some sort of co-op. It almost looked like a small town (very small). We passed a store and some sort of main building where some tourist happened to be. I wondered what they must have thought of us as we came by and they learned that we were involved in some sort of crazy stage race.

someones home?

a small store. they sold Coke.

One last push up the jebel (big hill) and we were on our move to the bivouac feeling great all the way in (about 3 miles). I was so thrilled to be able to enjoy the day and to have it be so easy. I was excited to make it into camp and prepare for day three. It would prove to be a beauty. TBC

CP3 behind me in the distance