last night before bed I stepped outside my van w/ intent of going to a mall entrance to see if any signs were posted prohibiting overnight parking. And I almost stepped into the path of a security vehicle. Security man said go ahead and stay as he was leaving soon and nobody would be around afterwards so stay. Cool permission granted w/o concern of being rousted.

Drove back to Sportsmobile and waited for solar panel arrival. Susan called manufacture and learned panel wasn’t shipped until Mon and ecd now is Friday. Oh well.

Met owner of Sportsmobile. He and his dad started it 40 years ago. They were the first to convert VW vans into campers! Check out Sportsmobile’s website for used vans. They have a Sprinter like mine w/ their conversion.

Drove to Walnut Creek park and rode what I could put together. At first the trails were marked but then the carsonite markers were removed and I wandered. Hand built trails, some old jeep roads. Some on hard packed clay. Mostly flat, had fun carving turns. Lots of riders coming & going while i was there.

Needed a shower. remembered that bicyclesportshop had a locker room w/ shower. Drove back into downtown to shop. Walked in and looked for a big cheese but didn’t find one so I walked straight to locker room and showered and left store.

Drove back to REI mall parking lot for another stay. Blue bird day, temp in upper 70s w/low humidity but parking spot was still in sun. Walked around mall parking lot looking @ stores. Checked out Whole Foods grocery store. Wow. I’d go bankrupt from all the wonderful food choices.

Fixed dinner and started computer work when a security man called me out. Not same guy from last night. He asked how long I was going to stay and I told him about last night. This guy called his boss and I knew the answer was no. The security man showed me where his land quit and the other started and said that the next property does not have security patrol. So I will move over there shortly.

Another ride in Austin tomorrow, new place to sleep and shower.

Might not make Fruita festival.

Found a mesquite tree that has greater than 1′ long thorns. Somepalces they were backed up w/ a prickly pear cactus. Poison ivy leaves are somtimes lobed loke a sasafras mitten leaf. Stay on the maintained trails.

Turner’s demo bile person emailed me asking for ride ideas around Philly / Baltimore DC areas. City rides for high population density. Sales.

Dateline: Gallup, NM

Jack wasn’t able to ride w/ me.

Plan B is to ride & route find Quasimoto from Qauking Aspen TH where I am camped. At first I thought about riding 2.5 miles on road each way to zero out route description. decided to make the route work starting part way thru ride. Almost all 25.57 miles & 2470′ climb in riding time of 3  hours 40 mins was desert ST. Like just about no tracks until I rode back onto the signed trails from quaking aspen. Ride description was about OK. In places there were no bike tracks. i missed 1 junction & rode inner loop 3 times, outer 2x and reroad main trail. Well laid out ST. After i crossed hwy 400 the trails got interesting and my body started showing signs of excertion & high elevation. Lost track of guide book descriotion. I beleived that if I stayed on trail I would end out @ sheet rock lake and then pick up signed trails back to TH. It worked. tread is mostly soft soil that sucks speed away. Ride beat me. Didn’t run out of h2o but probably should have carried the 100 oz bag vs the 70 ozs. I will for future rides.

Called PO and pedals are not here but PO is open tomorrow.

Called Red Rock SP to inquire about a shower. Was told = $3.00. OK and the XG is close in to gallup for internet access. XG host greats me: gray haired pulled back ponytail & missing some teeth, of indescriminate age greets me. I say i want a shower, He asked if I am staying I say no, just a shower. he gives me the key for free. Washed sweat, sunscreen, & grit off. Getting biker sunburn.

Forecast is for showers & t-storms tomorrow which will rain out ride if rain falls. This clay soaks up h2o & turns into gumbo and hardens casting the bike track in which takes beaucoup days to ride out if ever.

Quick posting to drive back to Quaking Aspen free camping @ 7200′

Ponderosa pine & alligator tree so named because of its bark. Needles are scale like.