Politics are local. Don’t need them know it alls in Washington telling me how to educate my kids.

Friday night was crowded but quiet @ Roman Nose SP. I packed up after bfast to drive to Oklahoma City to ride lake Stanley Draper trails. Sister Lynn called as I was attempting to find my way out of the park to tell me that today’s Wait Wait Don’t tell me show is Carl Castle’s last show. We shortened the conversation because the show came on XM. Then my navigation suffered as I was stymied by the sprawl of  OKC. So many churches, god fearing folks I imagine, and impoverished supporting the church.

I found my way to the TH. The parking lot held maybe 20 vehicles. The trail system is a series of loops starting w/ beginner up to advanced. I started on the yellow, easy, trail. Terrain almost dead flat, lots of tight turns w/ little line of sight. tread had patches of sand, bermed turns on some. I rode all but the terrain park trails ( I don’t remember if there were any). Part way thru my rear brake lever quit retracting, the pads didn’t drag but the lever was not fully extended. Oh, crap, what are my repair resources? I checked the lever out sussing that if I oiled the pivot all m ight be good. I returned to the TH and slathered Boshield on the pivot pin: all returned to normal. 12.55 miles climbed 725′. The sweet smell of blossoming honeysuckle filled the air.

Next up was a needed shower. Research lead me to an Anytime Fitness on the way to Stillwater for my next ride.

I googled grocery stores in Stillwater, a university town, no chain stores other than Walmart. No brew pubs either. Lots of action in an adjoining town.

I ate dinner @ a popular Mexican restaurant. I dilly dallied waiting for darkness to hide in at a sleep spot. I cruised the airport area, found a small industrial park. I picked a liquid fertilizer parking lot. Safe bet on a Sat night that nobody would be reporting for work on Sunday.

Today I drove out to Lake McMurty owned by the city. There are 2 trails on the east and west sides of the lake. I picked the east side, the red trail, as it had the most positive strokes, It is used as a race course. B4 starting I moved my saddle as far forward as it would go which moved my body forward and closer to being vertical over the pedals. Made a big difference in pedaling power. The trails were more woodsy w/ some tech moves. I rode the yellow trail next which was more difficult than the red. Back at my van I loaded my sweaty body and drove over to the west side which was to be more technical or harder whichever. 7 miles climbed 645′. I worked riding powerfully. I ended up slightly toasted from the effort.

The TH on the west side was across the road from the park headquarters. I saw doors for men and women w/ a security pad on each. Hmmmm, secret shower. A male college student was working the desk. I asked about showers, he didn’t know the rules. I took a shower. Kid had no recollection if any of park procedures. I noticed sirens on poles which I assumed were for tornado warnings. He didn’t know. I asked if I hear it what do I do. He said he would guess…. .

The XG is owned by the city. I camped for $10. All the sites were being reconfigured and were freshly graded. No h20 @ the spigot. XG on the whole is littered. The fire ring @ my site held the remnants of a burnt steel belted tire. No ranger. An outdoor burn ban exists. There are some yahoos camped 2 spots up wind of me and they have a fire burning. I ain’t doing no peer intervention. I walked back to the headquarters and read the posted notices. I did not find a number of a ranger. I could have called 911.

Ah, what a stray picnic table adds to the empty PBR can.

Tonight I am hearing a night bird calling, suspect it is a whippoorwill singing a different tune.

I stood under a hummingbird feeder and watched 2 birds challenging a third for feeding rights. Amazing amount of effort.

Tomorrow is on to Tulsa and Turkey mountain, an urban wilderness. Then on to a tall grass prairie a bit north. Arkansas is next, Bentonville, headquarters for Walmart. Portland ceased their financial arrangements w/ the corporation because they deemed Walmart not a socially conscience business. It’s a start and example for other communities.

On Wed after my Santa Fe ride I drove all the way to Clayton, NM in the upper right hand of the state. Clayton was affected by the Dust Bowl back in the ’30s. My maps showed grassland east of town. I couldn’t make what’s on paper to agree w/ what was on the ground. Instead I went to plan B which was to find the local airport to camp. I found Clayton’s which is a failed relic. I parked almost on the perimeter fence, after dark a security lamp turned on lighting me up. Pleasantly chilly night. Thurs I continued my drive eastward.

I stopped in Boise City, OK seeking historical postcards. I was directed to the museum identified by a dinosaur. A woman helped me, I bought Ken Burn’s cd about the Dust Bowl. I watched a bit last night. Timothy Eagan was prominent speaker. The woman showed me a dugout house. I saw an older man working on a Farmall tractor. I started asking questions and listening to his knowledge. 87 yo. His grandparents traveled from Missouri to Beaver County back in 1903. He described how wheat was harvested and made ready for sale. The museum had an old thresher and early interal combustion tractor. He kept telling me more. I reached a point I needed to leave to get further down the road. I kept listening. Finally I broke free. So much to learn and I wouldn’t invest the time.

I continued east stopping in Guymon to do my wash. This town was focal to the dust bowl. My desire was to reach Roman Nose SP outside Watonga, OK. I fell short checking out the Seiling airport for camp. Grass strip, several abandoned hangers. I picked one and parked in front. Quiet night.

Today I drove into Watonga. I was searching chain saw bar oil to use as chain lube and a squirt bottle to dispense. I found the oil and settled for a squeeze bottle of Elmers glue and liquid hand soap, empty the contents then fill w/ oil. The elmers will wash off w/ h20, residual might glue to oil? Rinse out the soap and fill: might the residue break down the oil?

I shopped the local grocery store, bread on my list. No wholesome whole wheat bread. wait till OKC tomorrow.

I drove into Roman Nose SP dodging golf carts sharing the road. I found the starting area. Several riders were visiting in the parking lot. Guy told me to keep the white ribbons on my right. I geared up and headed his info. Blooming yuccas and prickly pear cactus? Really.

7.5 miles, climbed about 500′ per lap. I did walk the hill and another one. Course had many tight twisty pieces, short sight lines created many surprises. I aggressively pedaled up the step ups. I put on the new Continental tires, today I lowered tire pressure to 23 psi as the tires first ride felt hard. I moved the seat forward putting more of my body over the bottom bracket, seemed to benefit. I rode the course 2X. The ribbons lead me on an established route as there are a few lateral trails, all not marked.

The XG is getting packed. I learned of the campground layout then drove to a small loop. A park ranger was present. I asked him for parking advice. We had fun interacting, he made me deal on a campsite and honored my senior status. he said that I was trying to work him down to nothing, I told hi m my goal was for him to pay me to camp. Crowded XG. Paid $10 that included a shower and high density people.

Elevation is uncalibrated 1683′ , I dug the dense air. I am affected adversely by high elevation. Lake surface is 1373.

Tomorrow I will drive to OKC and ride Lake Stanley Draper Lake. Weekend traffic.

Warm and humid.

Yesterday I entered the water zone as i saw flowing creeks and deciduous trees. Midwest. Humidity comes with. Tonight might be without the single layer of down blanket.

Flirting w/ a head cold.

I have ridden 3 rides on chain saw bar oil. My chain doesn’t squeak and remains pretty clean, cleaner than the wax build up of Squirt lube. Will the oil enhance the service life of the chain? The purpose of the lube is to fill the spaces between the roller and chain link keeping the abrasive dirt from scoring the rollers which make the chain longer. .

Sunday was a beyond blustery ride out on the red rocks beyond McGaffey. 46mph gusts, one knocked me off my bike on the red rock. I was the slowest rider so all I caught were the backsides of riders as they left when I caught up.Earlier we caught the Rincon surf:

Big 19 mile ride @ a fast young persons’ pace.

Spent another night, 6 days total in the Zunis.

Said good bye to Bill and Mike and Allison then drove to Gallup.

In Gallup I checked out Broken Spoke bike shop. Found Whole Foods store for goodies. I camped @ Black Canyon XG up past Dale Ball trails, 8,000′. Forecast was for possible snow. B4 bed snow fell. XG is in a canyon accessed by a steep paved road. I wondered what the exit would be like in the morning. The pavement was too warm for snow to stick.

Tues the weather remained shitty cold and occasional snow showers. I used the down time to see an urgent care Dr to exam my constricted throat. My lungs are clear and there was no obstruction in my trachea and my O2 saturation was 96%. X-ray was normal. Must be muscles. I bought a new LED headlamp that is light years better than my old LED.

Tues I camped back @ same XG. No h2o but cost only $5 using senior pass. 21 degrees.

Wed I stopped back @ Broken Spoke to change out the Minnions for the Continental tires. Real bitch getting the new tires on the rims.

Later I rode the La Tierra trails outside of town. They are pedaling trails on loose rock, constantly turning it seemed.

I drove back into town to Anytime Fitness for a shower then headed towards Oklahoma stopping in Clayton, NM, sleeping @ airport. I am in the belly of the Dust Bowl per Timothy Egan’s Worst Hard Times book. Tomorrow is OK riding.

On Monday I stopped @ Jack’s house in Gallup for a shower. Bill did the remodeling that I really enjoy.

Going to bed @ 4967′.