yesterday I rode Knebal springs big loop connecting 5 Mile lookout and finishing on 5 mile creek. Windy, chilly, and sunny. The downhill at the end was chilly in the shade but sweet on a mostly buff single track on good dirt. Just a smiling ride as I finished on a resting downhill eradicated the pain of the uphills. Trails are just so dusty, fortunately I was riding by myself and mostly the wind was at my back blowing dust away from my lungs.
Back @ the van I decided to check on my hide a key which is magnetically attached on the frame. I crawled under the van. I found the key still there. What else I noticed was the transmission cover was wetted. Concern: I was leaking transmission fluid. I searched the van manual and found no info on checking the level or refilling it. This is a Mercedes Sprinter that very few shops in the US can service. I am not dead in the water and I wanted to stay afloat. Now began the search for a repair shop. I drove back to Hood River where I got cell phone coverage. And I started calling. Then following recommendations. I finally ended up finding a Dodge shop outside Portland that works on Sprinters. And they are opened on Sat. At first I asked just to checked and top off the fluid thinking that this is what I could expect on Sat. This would get me to Bend where I could schedule and appointment. The service attendant said they could replace the gasket on Sat. Bingo, I’m down for that. 10:30 appointment.
Next was creating a travel plan to stage me for my outside Portland appointment. State of OR has great campgrounds. I read my map and selected Ainsworth XG. Plan was to score a campsite w/ electric hookup and a shower. I scored one of the few open sites. I needed to defrost my fridge which is what I needed electric for because it cools faster than the propane energy source.
I noticed a man pedaling a touring bike loaded w/ camping equipment. I decided to pay forward or back courtesies paid to me so I offered to share my campsite. Glenn accepted. 60yo from Calgary pedaling to S CA. I shared moonshine and coffee. We told stories and solved problems till my late bed time of 11:00.
This morning I fixed bfast and stowed stuff away. I bid Glenn adieu and headed to shop repair. Very windy in the Columbia River gorge driving on I-84. Van is like an empty box of Kleenex on a roller skate ( my definition). GPS led me to the service door. The shop will replace 2 gaskets and flush the transmission. Oh well, it is only lots of money. I should be good to go about lunch time. I need to research and plan my back on the road travel.
Day 3 of fly population. The light weight dustbuster lacks sufficient sucking power to sweep the flies out of the air. No noticeable food for them to eat, how they survive is unknown.