Hello Southwest

Yesterday I left Indian Springs outside Kimberly, ID in sage desert and basalt, tonight I am above Rabbit Valley west of Fruita, CO in juniper tree cover laded w/ purple berries. Lots of interstate miles.

Plan yesterday was to be on the road early to Ogden to ride a recommended trail above town. SLC metro is huge hemmed in by the mountains to the east and the lake to the west. Too many people crammed into too small an area. I bagged the ride. I chose not to fight over scraps right outside of town in favor of making Price @ Fuzzy’s ( a different Fuzzy) Bicyclewerks shop b4 closing. I drove off the interstate to in town Ogden to catch a shower @ Anytime. Traffic was non rush hour but still absurd. I picked up rt 6 towards Price and left the valley behind climbing up to Soldiers’ Pass. The aspen have shed their leaves leaving dark bare trunks up high.

I rolled into Price and found the bike shop. I walked in and Fuzzy greeted me saying he knows me. He has a braided tail but no dog. His comment to me on my first visit years ago was if there is not a long haired guy or a dog, don’t trust the shop. His dog is too rambunctious for customers. We chatted about trail advocacy. He told me about Good Water rim trail that I tried once b4. I listened then changed my plans to drive to the TH. He told me about Lamar who gets credit for building the trail. The TH is @ The Wedge overlook way out in the toolies, BLM land. I navigated from a hand drawn no scale lacking details map by Lamar. 2 lane gravel dirt road treated w/ mag chloride which kept the dust down and fast driving. After dark. A coyote ran smoothly across the road in my headlights. The map lead me to a camp site in the dark.

And the sun rose lighting sand stone and junipers. Southwest pretty last seen back in May in Sedona. I saw my first cactus since Oklahoma. Ride right from my side door.

Sunshine and no wind yet chilly enough for a long underwear top. My plan was to ride the road out to the overlook start of the gps trail. This time I was going to find the start. Cows grazing on desert scrub and trampling the cryptobiotic soils w/ hoofs and defecation. I found the overlook

The trail followed the canyon edges snaking around junipers and pinyon pine. Lesson: don’t brush the trees as there is usually a hidden stiff branch that will grab my upper body. When riding along the edge of a big drop you are either a bike rider or a tourist, not both.

The trail is not in MTBProject. Just need the ends as the trail is obvious.

Great warm day. Trail just twisted around one way then the other. Non technical. I learned for Lamar that the BLM said the trail must be rideable by all. I rode all the single track in 1 direction then rode the dirt road outer road back to my van.

This place is far out in the toolies. Lamar’s map showed direction to I70. His phone number is on the map and there is cell phone coverage. I called and introduced myself and asked about the route to the interstate. He said my van would make it. I had 3 route choices, 2 were known roads but 170 miles to the CO border. The Buckhorn draw was only 120 miles. Adventure into the unknown. He told me he would be out riding later in the morning. Our schedules put us face to face. He was out doing trail work moving rocks and cutting branches.

I drove down Buckhorn draw following BLM signs. There were no disclaimers about passenger cars which gave me assurance. Road dropped off the plateau down into the river bottom finally crossing it. Spectacular scenery of canyon walls. Cottonwoods were in full fall color gold.

The road surface was babyheads on the other side of the river that I drove over @ about 20mph. 30 miles of dirt to get to I 70. Most spectacular road I have been on if you like canyon country.

I figured that I had enough fuel to make it to outside Fruita. I would need fuel around 600 miles. It would be close.  I could have bought fuel before the 45 miles of no services which would have given me peace of mind. I went for the very ffrequent reading of the odometer, fuel gauge, and the mileage markers. I made Loma w/ about 3 gallons to spare. I filled up then drove back west to Rabbit Valley exit to my favorite camp spot above the valley floor. 25.5 mpg.

I found an RV repair shop in Grand Junction and made an appointment for next Wed to service the heater per Gowesty’s instructions.

My license tabs expire in Nov. This year I also need new plates. I called the county licensing dept to explain my situation and work out a solution. The tabs are shipped right away, the plates taking maybe 2 months. The tabs and a paper temp tag will be mailed to Fruita the plates will prolly be shipped to my Seattle address. Took several phone calls for me to understand the state’s workings and to synch mailings.

Southwest desert country until I head north in the spring.

Allison and Mike, I finished American Nomads. I am of the last chapter nomads.

In CO where my self medication is legal albeit not on Federal lands.

Tomorrow is a ride on Marys then into Fruita for laundry, shower, and Hot Tomato.

I paid my mailing service $12 to ship my election ballot to Fruita; just need to have it postmarked by election day.

Halloween party @ the Tomato.