Rode part of the 25 mile course and scored Laphroaig Cask condition 10 years,  56.3% alcohol.  Scotch whiski is better than the ride was.

Camped last night on approved primitive site just outside a skidder partial cut logging operation. Woods are scared, appeared to be harvesting P-Pine which is the dominant tree. Elevation is around 6,000′, about 1,500 higher than 4 months of Sedona living.

Chilly night that justified enjoying the heater on low. No frost because no moisture.

Bfast of scrambled eggs & toast. Squared away and cast off for downtown Prescott and the start line of the Whiskey Off road race course raced last weekend. Parked on side street outside the free parking district.

Plan is to ride the 25 mile course. Headed up paved town streets finally into USFS land and gravel road. Climbed & climbed right past the ST. Just rode road up cutting off a lot of ST. Still, Copper Canyon Creek rd was no slouch. Forest is partial cut skidder logged, decomposing granite, dusty, lot of old haul roads. In and out of a shallow creek. It ain’t Sedona as will no other place.

Race started & ended down town along Whiskey row, named because original location was on the banks of Granite creek where patrons had a propensity to fall into it. The bar was relocated 1 block away, away from h2o. And other establishments joined suit. Walked around a bit of downtown. Center square w/ courthouse. Prescott was the first territorial capital of AZ. Bought a newspaper, a day old for free bearclaw pastry, and a Porter beer @ Prescott brewery.

I heard that there are showers @ Watson lake park n of town. Drove out to check it out, didn’t find them. Drove back thru town and climbed out to another primitive camp at the other end of the Lower Wolf creek rd. Camped @ 6329′.

Stopped @ a Staples store to print the downloaded Droid instruction manual; 68 pages. The printer woman did me well in that she printed it both sides saving printing cost then went extra and bound it for free. I will read a chapter a night to learn how to make this phone microcomputer work. It’s so great that I can surf the web on a small screen, make it bigger as needed to read the news and weather forecasts. I am less dependent upon setting up and packing my laptop.

Thing about living in small spaces is the pulling something from storage then setting it up, using it, then packing it back up. Just like living on a sailboat that my Dad exposed our family. I am living better than on the sailboat trips as I have at least a week’s worth of clean clothes.

Tomorrow is riding some non race course ST then driving up to Flag, about 2 hrs away. I found a shower @ a community center there.

But I have moved on to new adventures. Today I said goodbye to the Bike and Bean owner Jimmy & his gf Jan. Last night they hosted a small private party of the guys from the shop. Sad yet excited and a bit apprehensive about the unknown. Sedona was so much like home. I plan on returning this winter body willing.

Yesterday was a rest day. I had an acupuncturist appointment in the AM to fix my tingling feet. Lots of needles and scrubbing that probably fixed other things but my feet still tingle. Friday is an appointment w/ a neurologist in Flag. One last DR appointment in the PM to shake the tree to learn if any of my blood chemistry is out of spec which could be causing my malaise. Ty said he tried to find anything suspect but failed. He said I am in better condition than most of his patients. Big deal, how many healthy people go to their DR to tell them how good they are? My right shoulder has a lot of grating when I type.

I bought a new jug of Stans  than added about 2 ozs to each tire. I used the air compressor @ BnB to inflate the tires.

Several days ago i bought the new issue of backpacker mag for reading material. Inside was an ad from SPOT locator beacon showing that w/ a smart phone one can link to the SPOT functionality. The SPOT allows a user to send 1 of 3 messages one way. 1) to a distribution list saying that I am ok. 2) I need help from friends. 3) Call 911. As I understand the smart phone connection that it allows short text messages to the above 3 types of calls. I am a Verizon customer and I have long been eligible for a phone upgrade and there is a Verizon store in the Village. I stopped in and for 3o mins had the sole attention of the salesperson. I bought a Droid X smartphone. What a device! Like a small laptop. Lots to learn to make it help me.

Next was the goodbye party. I made my Waldorf salad again. I was with friends. Slept in the foreclosed neighbor’s driveway.

I asked Jan to create artwork for my van and apply it. She did the art but the guy who is to print and install it failed to come thru. I spent the AM waiting for him. Jan and I created a new strategy in that she will email the art and I will find a shop that will apply it. One last Goodbye and I was off to Prescott.

I drove 89A climbing a twisting uphill rd thru Jerome, an old copper mining town built into the mountainside. Back way into Prescott, drove it once and no more. Topped out 7000 feet in the P-pine forest. Prescott is a different desert. Found a bike shop where i walked in just like the unknown touron I am. Learned of local info for rides and places to stay. Lots of pay campgrounds. Primitive camping is restricted to established sites. Prescott is around 5,500 feet elevation. Stopped @ USFS ranger station and learned about the camping. Writing this now in town in case there is no cell phone reception out camping.

Getting back into the adventuring.

I enrolled in a Better Ride clinic in Bend in July. I owe it to myself to learn how to ride better. $617 for 3 days of just teaching. Sue Haywood and Ross Schnell are 2 instructors I know.

Off to find my sleeping spot.

Chilly night again, 41 outside 53 inside  Today is MBH last ride for me. Bfast of scrambled eggs, whole wheat toast, coffee, & swigs of V8, low sodium.

Drove into town to MBH. Geared up. Hard riding group today of Rama, Johny, Tim, Kevin, Jeff, Mike, Richard, and soon to be over my head me. Rode thru city streets to climb airport rd. First trail leaves the road below the summit. How fitting as this is also the first ride I went on back almost 2 years ago. The ride stayed on Airport loop for a spell. Kevin flatted aways back and the group stopped @ this sketchy ST heading across and down the slope. I deduced the ride would be over my head so i bid adieu and set of to ride airport loop. Trail is laden w/ volcanic basalt rock. Did my share of hiking my bike over the rounded boulders. My plan was to pick up Bike Path to the high school then down Special ed then back up Sketch.

Yesterday during my ride w/ Danny that he complimented me on my smooth pedaling. Effects of road bike on resistance trainer. Today i worked my spinning and breathing. Longest ride today, almost 3 hrs of my riding style of few if any breaks. My quads are talking to me.

Shower @ spa on a guest pass. Piece of salmon from New Frontiers. Stopped @ Danny’s to pick up my road bike. He had wrapped Pepper’s front paws in bandages and over coated w/ duct tape to allow the tears to heal. I picked up my bike and mounted it back on the bike rack.

Out to desert. Last night here.

I have enjoyed my stay here, perhaps my real home. I spent 4 months here, the longest stay @ any palce along my way.

News is Bin Laden has been killed.

Chilly night again.