7 hrs, 10 kms
Day Totals: 15 hrs, 31 .9 kms

Actual date: Nov 4, 2015

I continue on over a ridge out of Cassville Valley... into another, small narrow valley, Smith Valley I believe it's called. Just a couple of farms, with wooded forest on all sides, giving it an even more secluded feel than Cassville Valley.

I reach the town of Saltillo--which intrigues me with it's name. I have memories of passing through Saltillo, Mexico back when I was 10 and my family was moving down to Mexico.

Could this town have been named after immigrants from that region--just as many towns are named after regions of Europe that homesick immigrants sprung from?

No... it's named after the "Battle of Saltillo" in the Mexican American War. In fact, there's not a single Mexican living here, according to wikipedia.

Well ... at least pronouce it correctly, folks. It's Saltee-yo, not Salti-low.

It's been a decent day. Nice weather for hiking as well. Also to be noted, I got several offers for a ride... from a middle aged woman actually driving the opposite direction.... from an elderly man who asked "are you hitchhiking? I've got about an hour to kill--I could take you pretty far..."

It's reassuring to see those kind of gestures towards an obvious out of towner, rather than suspicion.

A state trooper did pull over as well, saying he'd "gotten a call"--not sure if that call was from someone who thought I looked suspicious or thought I needed help, so I won't jump to conclusions on that one.

I guess nobody walks around these parts any more...