Return to Sun Valley

I visited w/ Mark and Brenda in Salida for several days last week. They live on a residential street maybe 5 blocks from down town. The house residents have unofficially claimed parking spaces. I was told to park down the street in front of a day care center because there was no parking possession. I spent 1 night parked there. The day care center was hopping w/ kids. I sat in my van w/ the side door open working at my desk. A girl approached the fence and asked if I live in the van. I said yes and that was the end. Several of her friends cautioned her about speaking w/ strangers. They all left left at the end of the day. Us 3 adults went downtown to partake of the river festival. I slept on the street. In the morning Mark and Brenda headed out to finish a trail project Brenda undertook. I packed up my bfast dishes and headed to their kitchen sink. Clean dishes in hand I stepped out the front door and saw 2 city cops and a trooper’s car hanging behind my van. I was told that the day care people were nervous w/me parked there and wanted me to move. One of the officers ran my id, he asked if I had a history of doing what he didn’t say. I put my dishes away and moved 100′ towards Mark and Brenda’s. I was told Salida has an ordinance about sleeping in an a rig on the streets. Later Brenda drove me to a parking spot to the South of town in the FS. I enjoyed 2 peaceful nights there.

looking out over Salida up to Monarch crest from my camp spot
looking out over Salida up to Monarch crest from my camp spot

There are 3 recreational pot stores in town. I picked the one closest to the laundromat and bought a gram of pot oil for $70. 67% THC. Big time buzz.

While Mark and Brenda were trail working I drove up to Monarch Pass for a hike north bound on the CDT. Patches of snow still dotted the trail. On my way back down I encountered a guy hiking north from Mexico. I gave him navigation tips. I lost the trail when it entered the ski area because of snow cover and inadequate signing.

Looking north
Looking north

The Arkansas River flows down the eastern edge of town. This visit the water level was way up from a wet spring and melting snow. There is a whitewater course set on the river. This is right downtown.

Arkansas river looking upstream
Arkansas river looking upstream

Salida has a Carnegie Library

Brenda & Scooby Carnegie library
Brenda & Scooby Carnegie library

I have a road atlas of the US where I highlight roads I have driven. My next stop is Sun Valley, host Steve. I selected roads not driven which made for a longer drive. The first day I made just below Encampment pass camping on a logging spur, I slept at just over 9,500′. The second day of driving was a 12 hour handful day because of high winds. The van is like an empty box of Kleenex on a roller skate. Tough driving. I stopped for fuel and opened the driver’s door to open the fuel filler door. The wind tore the door from my hand. Shit, it was a challenge to stand upright. 26.6 mpg.

Last night I rolled into Steve’s driveway. It was late so after a short visit and a shower where I left the curtain out of the tub and flooded the floor. The temp was chilly pleasant allowing me to sleep w/ the side door opened and the netting across the opening.

Today Steve lead me on a local hike up the side of Proctor mtn.

I caught a cold traveling to and from Ohio. Chest cold wracking my body w/ coughs. I want to be free of this virus.

I visited w/ sister Lise Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday before heading back. The next day sister Lynn said Lise faded. She died Sunday AM. I was fortunate that my timing allowed us to spend time together.

Copper River Salmon arrived here in Hailey. I bought a piece for Steve to prepare tonight.

I am parked under a tree in the shade in front of the Catholic church enjoying incredible internet speed which allowed many pics.

Today my fridge was serviced because it wasn’t keeping the temp down. Same place a previous service, same guy. The jet was clean but the burner was sooted over. I should be enjoying 35 deg temp.

I will be here till Thurs. morn for my final push to Bend and resuming PT.

Time to return to Steve’s. Steve is a retired equine vet. He sold his practice several years ago, bought a Sprinter, and made short road trips. He visited Sedona several times and I visited him a bunch of times here in the Wood River Valley.

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