Just the sound of wind rustling the dead grasses, too early in growing season for growing grasses. tall grass because more rain falls down wind of the rain shadow of the Rockies.
I encountered 2 guys on the way back, they looked like they were collecting data. Instead Adam was creating photographs for advertising for a new craft beer company, Prairie, and how fitting was the location. He asked me if he could photograph me w/ their unopened warm beer. I agreed. we spent a bunch of time carrying on. We walked back to the parking lot where I provided them w/ beers. We sat and talked, actually I told stories. he took some more pics, this series titled 1 hit of pot and a beer.
I returned to Pawhuska. I mailed a post card to Carla back in Sedona. I saw a storie that advertised ammo for sale as I have been trying to buy .22 ammo. I walked in. The store was a pawn shop. Clerk greeted me asking me if I drove my buggy in as my hair was very wind blown and he was buzz cut. I bought 100 rounds of some off brand ammo. No .22 mag.
Osage Hills SP was created by the CCC back in the 30s. No soil here either, very rocky. Nicely maintained state park, no bad men trashing. $10 per night included a shower.
The first night the LEO stopped to talk. He is a Vandal grad. he told me about that I was camped in old growth forest as the oak trees were of no commercial value. He said that when a tree celebrates 150 years they start to twist visibly seen on the bark. He told me about the mountain bike trails. I had no data. The park hosts a stop on the Tour of Dirt. I planned on riding them today b4 I left. I didn’t hold high expectations.
temps stayed in the low 70s @ night plus 50%+ humidity. I slept w/ the side door open w/ the mosquito netting keeping many insects away from my light. Last night I heard a Whipper will singing. This morning it serenaded me right outside the van door. These birds sing on the exhale and inhale for long iterations of the same song. Kept me awake.
I finally slid out of bed and prepared for my bike ride. I pedaled out to the start of the trails, OK I will pedal less than challenging trails in the park. my tune change a short time later:
I rode the race course backwards as I learned from the race caution signs. Very chunky rock gardens. I walked places. To fall would have been on pointed rocks. What a challenge. I stopped one place to hike up my shorts. I heard rustling in the leaves, I looked down and saw this native:
Challenging technically short ride. The trails really beat equipment on the sharp pointed rocks. Sedona gets the credit for the big chunk and the vistas, this would win the notice for overall beating but it is in leaved out deciduous forests w/ no views.
Back @ XG I took a shower then headed east on US 60 counter steering against a strong south wind. Both hands on the wheel. many well seasoned squashed armadillos and raccoons.
The drawer holding my pots and pans is overcoming the latch on the drawer slides on the hard right turns. I would ease off the speed to the right and punch it on the left hands to cause the drawer to close.
My driving goal was Bentonville, AR and Phat Tire bike shop b4 closing. I made it. Shop is still open and hoping. The manager Scott and I recognized each other. I learned that 2 trails I rode previously have been protected, Mt Kessler above Fayetteville and the way out one on the Buffalo River headwaters. I will ride both of those again. I met Frank who owns property on Mt Kessler, he gave me a big sticky that is on the left side of my van. He knows Steve and Morgan of the IMBA trail care crew whom I also know. The Buffalo river was more interesting. I met and rode w/ Howcuf, the builder and environmentalist. The trails were faint tread bordered by poison ivy that we walked in as we hike a biked up the steeps.
I will be around Bentonville till at least next Thurs. My throat has been bothering me, like it is constricted, I need to be seen by an ear nose throat person. I called ahead and made an appointment in Fayetteville.
FUCKING GODAM COMPUTER KEEPS EATING TEXT
I wanted to experience the tall grass prairie N of Pawhuska, I wanted to see virgin prairie, see what the wagon train travelers saw. I chose Osage Hills SP as a pivot point. I learned that the nature Conservancy owns about 40,000 acres of never plowed prairie and are restoring it to what it can make natural. The land was formerly grazed by cattle that have been kicked off and replaced by bison, some 2,300 which is their ideal number. The land was never plowed because the land is rocky but supports wonderful tall grasses. Over time fire, both natural and aboriginal, have kept the oak trees from taking over the open savanah grasses. prescribed burns are used today to maintain grasses. Bison “flock” to the emerging green grasses after a fire. Bison eat between 30 and 50 lbs of grasses a day. I visited the headquarters and bombarded the docent w/ questions. Then I hiked the longer trail out on the prairie. My wind gauge read a 47 mph gust, average was 32 mph. i viewed bison on the way in. e FUCKIN COMPUTER ATE NEW TEXT.