Yesterday was task day. I made a list and crossed every one off by end of the day. Wash, groceries, h20, propane, shower. Beth, whom I met in Asheville back in 09, here in ’11, and Sedona this winter, found me for greetings & catch up. Drove out to Willow Springs just b4 dark @ 5:30.

Last night  I ordered a new camera, a Nikon D5100, to replace an older Olympus. My belief is that the Nikon will have sharper images. I found a package shipping store to ship my order to. Cost $5. This AM Cruchfield, where I bought it, called to say that they will not ship to places like this because of past troubles they have had. I didn’t understand if it was just this location of in general. I called Chili Pepper and received permission to ship my order there. ECD is this Tues.

Last night maybe 10 rigs went past me traveling further out Willow Springs road where I was camped. Nobody stays closer to the hard road than me.

Just a small patch of windshield ice.

Plan today is to drive to the north end of the Klondike trails. Charlie said the road is better than the s end I drove 2 days ago. He was right. I was there all by myself. Barren desert, no trees on the flats.

My ride was partially backwards from 1st ride w/ goal of riding EKG back. EKG is named because of its zig zag route that looks like an EKG read out. Fun. Challenging. I walked some features. Ran into a group of riders on EKG, otherwise all by myself. Cool and cool. 14.49 miles in 2 hrs 21 mins climbing 2144′. The ride time is actual moving time which is pretty close to total elapse time as I rarely stop.

After ride completion I checked the shock pressure which was way low indicating leaking replaceable seals. I hot footed  it to Chili Pepper hoping to get it repaired b4 the shop closed. Dave almost made it. 256 rides for 3753 miles since last service. Bike to be ready to go by 10:00 tomorrow.

Drove off for a shower.

I learned that UT law makes brew pub beer 3.2 or about 4% alcohol.

I paid $10 to camp @ Sand Flats. Tomorrow I pick up my bike then head N out of town to ride some more Bar M trails.

I called Hurricane OTE and spoke to Quentin. I assured them I was coming but will be there after Thanksgiving. He was wondering where I was.

I make cold brewed coffee which consists of soaking coffee grounds in h2o for 10 hrs. A filter in the soaking hopper blocks grounds entering the concentrate. Soaked coffee grounds are the left over. I placed the grounds in a single plastic grocery bag then placed it in a single bag which was inside a more sturdy plastic over  bag. This over bag I found somewhere as litter. I picked it up because I needed this kind of bag. The grounds gave up some concentrate that leaked thru all the bags. The inside of the cover bag was wet. I read the lettering on the bag: Moab Shirt company on Main st. I found the shop today and picked up a new bag. I told the clerks how I happened upon the first bag and they let me have it for free.

Another sub 20 degree night. Again, the nose of my van was pointed into the sun that melted the ice on the windshield.

Plan today is to drive up to Dead Horse State park to ride the trail there. UT rt 313 leaves the valley floor and climbs up to Colorado Plateau from which the Colorado River cuts down thru. Great vantage point to look down thru time.

Paid $10 park entrance fee. Beautiful chilly morning. I rode the trail. I heard it was built by same guys who built other new local trails. Has same feel. Hardly any elevation change as the location is on a high plateau. Trail is edge marked by pieces of trees, no painted rocks. Easy ride, just zipped along. Trail never ventured right to the edge of the abyss. Plenty to look at.

Oil extraction occurring noted by several drill rigs and pumping stations.

I camped up on the plateau in a primitive BLM camping area. I watched the sun go down behind a mountain range way off in the distance. Very little color.

Wendell Berry has a new book out which is a collection of stories, A Place in Time. He was interviewed on the Diane Reim show this AM. Next book to read.

Tomorrow is rest and chore day in Moab.

Outside temp was 17 degrees when I looked @ the dash thermometer. I slept w/ wool socks on that kept me warmer. I parked on slick rock facing the rising sun which melted the frost on the inside of the windshield.

Greg, the Sprinter dude, told me about Baby Steps trail which is just a few miles further out of town from where I am staying. I researched on MTBR seeking trail info. None very promising. I decided to ride the trails anyway, never knowing what I might ride on. What a well built trail system. 33 miles and I rode about 1/2. Another trail to ride again and pick up the other half. One trail is named “EKG”, medically I know what that means. The trail is a black Diamond which could have a medical issue. Or, it could be initials of the trail builder. Next time.

Official trails. Mapped and marked on the ground. At every intersection there is posted a laminated trail map and a smiley face indicating  current location. Trails are marked by paint dashes corresponding to the color code of the trail. I was always found. Most places the outer edges of the trails were lined by rocks or wood. Lots of easy step ups. The slick rock is pock marked and undulating. Just put a smile on my face. Challenging mostly w/in my riding ability. In the deeply shaded places cold snow still existed. 37 degrees in sunshine @ start yet sunshine made it feel warmer.

My phone rang while I was getting ready for my ride. It was Charlie from Eagle, CO. He said that he and Teresa just returned from a 10 day visit here. They originally planned on 3 but stayed 7 days longer. They will be in Moab over T-day. My scheduling wheels clashed: DO I head for Hurricane for Thanksgiving or remain here and enjoy times w/ Charlie & Teresa? My plan was to ride Phils World @ Cortez then go to Durango then leave to hit Hurricane on Wed next week. I called bike shop in Cortez to learn of conditions. The woman who answered the phone said the shop is renting bikes which to me means the trail is OK to ride. Then Charlie called. Then I rode 1/2 of this system. I met a rider on the trail. He told me about a new trail up in Dead Horse Point SP, 9 miles undulating along the bluff faces. Charlie told me of additional trail out @ Mag 7. I decided to stay in Moab for more days and skip Cortez and Durango. The riding is that good and plentiful here enough to stay.

Drove back into town for a shower, groceries, and visit @ Chili Pepper to learn of new trails. Then drove back out to Willow Springs road just after the sun went behind the cliff face.