Flag

Monday I left Sedona. I arrived at Flag. Elevation is 7,000′ plus. Ponderosa pine forests.

Now have new van key cut and programmed to start the engine. I spent yesterday picking up the key, I asked the parts guy several times about the key being programmed. He checked his staff, yes he was told that he told me. Previous calls stated that the key needed to be programmed, parts guy continued to say it was ready to go. I said if I come back in there is a problem with the key. At the van I held the working key in my hand then locked and closed the van side door. I put the new key in, door unlocked. First test. Put it in the ignition, turned it: error light lit. No engine. Walked back in. Senior tech attached their computer to my van, he learned that the shop did not have additional software to program the key. Back and forth discussion about how to get the programming done. He said that he would reimburse me for programming out of his own pocket as he said he was responsible for the error. I said no, I would not take his personal $. He said the shop would figure something out. I called the Flag Mercedes dealer, service said they could program at a 1:00 appointment. Let gps direct me to the shop. Much too much time was taken for the programming. I stuck my nose in the shop door. Service told me the computer should that 8 keys which is the max number that can be made for a given vin. This is the first key for original owner me. The tech realized that he was entering an incorrect code. The new code allowed the programming, I now have a working new key. I took the receipt back to the dodge dealership parts dept. Guy said that he would reimburse the fee. I did not ask for anything. I asked if the $ could be put back on my card I used to pay for the key. Couldn’t do it because that card was cancelled because of the hack. He gave me cash that I need to find a participating credit union to deposit.

That was my day.

I drove out to valley Fort for a sleepspot. I followed a camper trailer ove. the very rutted FS road, they took the spot I wanted. I drove further up the rutted ride to find a suitable spot. AH, day is done, legal place to sleep, gentle breeze blowing thru the P pine needles. Ponderosa pine exudes a vanillan smell that when your bury your nose in a bark crack you can smell it. Because the pine is so pervasive there is a gentle smell in the air. Too chilly for an open door, the furnace ran during the night.

Tuesday friend Joe provided local guide hosting to a our ride. We met at the Shultz Creek, Elden lookout road. We pedaled up Elden road, steep and gravel gaining elevation which was killing me. We left the road at a hairpin on a social trail connecting with Little Bear, what Joe wanted to share. Trail was mostly burned over several years ago then deluged by a 1 in 100 year rain event which wreaked damage to the trail. It is rideable again because of volunteers and paid crew.

Trails here are rocky loose. Narrow bench cut with exposure got on my nerves. Dangerous riding on Little Bear.

Bid Joe adieu with a riding plan for tomorrow.

I pulled into Cosmic Cycles shop parking lot. Exit was blind back up onto main street. I asked about the upper shock mounting hardware to replace the aluminum can shim Dave made. Shop found a Fox kit that measured OK. Owner measured my bike while on my van. I pointed out his sticker on the back door. Leave my bike and come back later. I decided that I was going to turn around in their small lot to drive forward into traffic. I backed up too far hitting a low wood post. Oops. I dashed inside to tell of my miscalculation. Reinstalled the posts said was OK.

Next up was a shower at Anytime where my card key malfunctioned. I was let in because the office was staffed and door was unlocked. Talked to the woman desk person about my key not being recognized. back at first visit in Jan I worked the card for entrance. First indication of problem I called the fitness provider who told me everything was good on my end, problem is with anytime. After cleaned up the woman and I conversed, she is planning a road trip getaway which lead me to sharing thoughts.

I bought a sixer of local beer and returned to the bike shop parking in the alley. I gave the owner the beer asking for atonement. He laughed: no harm. Bike was fixed.

last night I drove up Schultz creek road which has been restored for hauling out timber later this year. Bailed at first spot where I had previously stayed, bitch to make it level. Fell asleep listening to the home broadcast of the Mariners.

Thia AM my lower digestive system sent evacuation signals, urgent. Shovel and paper towel in hand I dug a hole. Urgent and sort of relief. Concern is the antibiotic I took to kill the fungus on my leg that would not heal because of the blood flow restriction caused by the blood clot had a warning notice that if diarrhea happened to seek immediate medical care. I drove down to the trailhead for good internet. Discovered that my email was not receiving new email. I found a previous link to the healthcare system and wrote my concern. I scored a stool exam and an ultrasound on my ankle this afternoon. I spent several hours on the phone with a computer tech who did fix my computer but charged $199. I called customer service to understand the charge. Seems my number is patched directly to the tech. Language and cultural conflict. Computer is working.

I plan on leaving here tomorrow morning but that could be delayed as results of tests are learned.

FS torched land for a prescribed burn. Big plume of smoke visible from out here at Schultz.

Gotta go.

Update:

Tues i sought water. My drive passed a fire station, they should have water. I pulled in and walked to the back of the station house. 3 firefighters were gearing up in 70 pounds of equipment to work out. They showed me the tap and told to pour away. 6 gallons later after watching these guys do special exercises i continued my way.

Today at schultz th while i was wtestling w/ computer support i watched a Ford van spinning its rear wheel digging a hole. I walked over to help. The driver had wedged the right rear wheel between 2 rocks that acted as chocks. I grabbed my shovel and dug away under smaller rock freeing it. Next was locating my leveling blocks to create a ramp out of hole. Success, they were freed. They ate from Corvalis, Or. We might have worked at the imba trail work day.

1. Ultrasound did not find the previously reported blood clot in my lower leg. Good if it dissolved or bad if it just kept on its vascular way to lodge in a lung.