Quiet night in cow pasture. Up @ 6:30 for bfast and make it to Bill & Susan’s for 8:00 departure for Canyon Creek. Looked out through out night & early morning portended nixing the ride because of rain clouds. Arrived on time to greeting of ride cancelled. Moved to plan B ride of more Hartman’s w/ Susan leading. I was good for that plan. After more visiting we rode off in their toy pickup w/ our bikes’ handlebar overhanging the bed edges. Drove out beyond where Dave & I rode. More ST dirt bike trails, digging riding over the tech challenges, still walked a few but my riding skills have improved. Susan was ahead when she rerode a section back towards me. She said she missed the upcoming rollover. She rode it and I followed just behind but not close enough to see her line. I rolled it, it was about 22″ drop w/ a less than stuff your fork run out. Confidence is growing. I could ride perhaps (4) 3 hour rides out there.
Hartman is becoming known which is a blessing and a curse in that there are 80 (?) miles of ST connected at times by old jeep roads. The curse is the supporting infrastructure to guide campers to protect the environment ( designated camp sites and toilet facilities) is not present. As more people camp and to an extent denigrate the environment w/o rec management the land will suffer. So, just quietly enjoy Hartman’s.
Back @ Bill & Susan’s more pleasant visiting went on. It was their day off and were good to be @ rest. Nice people; felt comfortable like I had known Bill for maybe 45 minutes which was length of time he shared a ride w/ me @ Sedona. I enjoyed our time together. Watched time pass on counter clock and just let it go.
Finally bid adieu and drove off towards Grand Junction where there are newer trails, some over my head technical but lesser trails exist. Stopped @ a western clothing store in Gunnison and finally bought my buffalo fur “cowboy” hat. It’s like Duvall’s hat in Lonesome Dove movie. A new sheriff is in town.
Parked right off the taxiway of Montrose airport behind hangers on a dead end gravel road right across the street from a truck parking lot. It has internet. I can hear engines running from here. Just about 6,000′, lowest I have been since 7/1. Down out of the big mtns.
Tomorrow is Grand Junction. Forecast is still for possible heavy rain storms.
