One rain event after another. Flag added inches to their snow depth. Just rain down here at 4,500′. The ground is not frozen which allows the water to follow gravity’s pull. However the forecast for later this week is for below freezing at night and not much above it during the day. The shits of a melt freeze cycle. Today is an inside day enjoying my own small space parked out to Deer Pass during the day. Furnace is on and the sun is charging the camper batteries for the blower. Hard rock surface here allows off pavement parking. I slept uninterrupted last night, so great. Used 3 eggs for scrambled eggs and 2 pieces of buttered toast sweetened with Muddy Bees honey from Hurricane. Cup of cold brewed coffee made from Java Love beans. Cleaned up. Wind effect picked up rocking the van.
Today is a west sedona day. Additional testing is necessary for my blood, the lab is in west sedona, the authorization for test lacked proper medicare codes for payment. I called the DRs’ office connecting to an actual person. She said she would attend to it and asked if I would pick up or she could fax. The next part is like watching sausage being made. This AM the req. was in the possession of the lab. Another story will be skipped. Blood was drawn and sent out for the testing.
I stopped at Java Love for fresh beans and a latte. I am established known here. A shower at snap, a short drive to the Worm to give back Angels and Demons and on taking of spigot water. I shopped at Whole Foods buying a piece of salmon for dinner. Which brings us back to where I am sitting. I washed with a fragrant bar of soap, the scent remains now.
Wed was the last ride day and it was a beaut: hero dirt, blue sky, and only a long underwear top layer. I rode Soldier Wash trails for the first time this visit. Copious eye candy
Sedona trails are elevation limited, there is just a short band of profile which does not make for a downhill run. Hence, the trails just undulate with maybe 50′ change on the long side, punchy ups w/ tech features on narrow single track. The tread is mix of sand and either slick rock sandstone or babyheads of basalt. The scenery here is jaw dropping pretty. I rode Noxibee hills trails in Mississippi which had about the same elevation profile and used the tight trees for tech challenge. The scenery was just tree trunks. Similar type of riding. I’m just saying.
Thursday rain fell during my 3 hours of volunteer trail work on Andante. A shower at snap and dry clothes I drove back down to VOC and PJ’s to watch the Zags game. They won.
Back at the paved overlook. Insufficient sunlight to charge the camper batteries to support the furnace blower caused me to run the catalytic heater.
Friday was another wet day of just hanging around. Sat was the same. Did hang at the Bean w/ locals. I’m connected while not an integral part. Watched Zags at PJs, where they let me have a main up front TV. They won. Back out to the overlook for the night. I have been scoring the favored most level spot in the cul d sac. Solitary.
Sunday was more of the same. I watched the NFC game w/ Jimmy, 2 others joined later. A guy stopped by our table and reconnected w/ a conversation we had last year. He is a Yupper and remembered last year. Late 4th quarter our group drove down to Historical brew pub, we were the only customers. For me, finally the subject of trump was broached. A spirited conversation ensued. No ruffled feathers but a difference of opinion. No TV to watch the AFC game. Then back to the overlook.
I am frequently asked what is my most favorite, sometimes my best ride or favorite state. I am unable to give an answer. Variables exist as do perhaps temporary conditions which when plugged into my best of bucket matrix might tally I’m glad this ride is over and I can drink beer or the other end is WOW. A WOW under different conditions might be rated as OK. As an example years ago I rode Thunder Mountain in UT under just gorgeous conditions, first rate. Years later I rode it again on wet snow and freeze thaw mud, really shitty riding. I had 2 experiences to rate the ride, The first ride overrode the not so smiley face second. I have ridden the Pisgah in the rain because, well, that’s what you do. Also in heat and high humidity. On the other hand riding the north rim of the grand canyon was just stellar eye candy and a so so trail. I have so many rides to choose from. To me, really, it’s just about riding. I don’t know what the questioner will do with my answer. I used to say Switchgrass in Kansas was my favorite knowing the likelihood of anybody riding there was almost nil and they would never experience my favorite trail. I did like that trail.
Tomorrow the gum stitches are removed. The wound on the roof of my mouth is finally pain resistant to cold beer but not hard food.
Corn whiskey. If you are going to drink all day you had better get started.