Windy and chilly. Forecast has some rain coming in. i fixed the leak on the JOBOX which will be tested. I still need to caulk the roof vent. Oh, that window closed because the sealant requires 70 degrees plus. I let that window close.

Tomorrow I drive up to Flag for the ortho DR exam. Forecast last night was snow up there which caused me some dread of driving on the snow. Today the forecast left the bad snow out. I will prolly drive I-17 instead of the canyon.

Wed at PT I was given some strengthening exercises. I have next to nothing for external rotation.

Thurs I rode 4.4 miles as an O & B on Aerie trail. I had so much enjoyment pedaling my bike. At the end of the out I was feeling good and toyed w/ the idea of extending my ride. Instead I turned back. My shoulder felt the fun I enjoyed. May these exercises stabilize my shoulder.

Thurs my left foot was examined and X-rayed. The DR discovered that my pain comes from a joint in my big toe that has no cartilage. He said it is not RA and that walking will not further damage it. It’s my choice as to how much pain I am willing to put up with. Presently every step I take on the left foot sends unhappy face signal. He suggested a stiff soled shoe to eliminate the push off.

My new tarptent Moment arrived last week. Steve and I attempted to set it up following the set up instructions. We failed to comprehend the pole end pockets because they seemed so small and closed. The next day we had the pitching dialed. I sealed the seams per their procedure which used clear silicon seal thinned w/ paint thinner to a viscous solution then spread on copiously w/ a foam brush, Steve wiped off the seams forcing the solution into the seam. After several hours of drying in the sun I poured water on a seam area and checked for leaks. None. The water beaded and ran off. Interesting method and perhaps better than using a commercial sealant. Just 37ozs with acceptable space as I can sit up and my head doesn’t touch. pretty cool.

Dave and Rebecca from Green Bay found me @ the Bean. We set up a meeting and camp out @ Dead Horse State Park outside Cottonwood for last night. Steve joined. I fixed my salad for dinner.

Cottonwood is out of the red rock territory. Tree cover is almost all creosote bush. heated shower rooms. Lots of RVs. I camped in a tent area being give the last open site.

I listened to the 2nd half of the Zag ST Mary game on XM. Gonzaga was down 17 points at half time. After the break they turned their game around to win by 10 points.

Sprinter home conversions are more noticeable. This afternoon there are 4 in the parking lot, all mtn bikers.

Today is windy and blowing dust. I decided to make another rest day. Forecast for next several days is for showers. The firm mud will relax rendering the side roads to the camping areas to slimy. Pavement camping.

I chanced upon another masseuse who claims she can do more for my shoulder. I noticed her as a person because of her Ohio plates. I said something about my shoulder to which she said she could help me. I will be treated later today. She says no tear, just manipulation required. Could she be just pulling my leg so to speak?

During this time of no riding I have been hiking. The only weight on my shoulders is a vest w/ a pint of h20 and my phone. No camera. The scenery is just red rock that y’all have seen already. Move on there is nothing to see here.

I receive PT 2X a week. Effort is moving to strengthening. Today I enjoyed a second massage of my upper body. I am to do just 1 set of exercises per day followed by stretching and icing.

Yesterday my brake returned from service overhaul. I installed it then pedaled around the parking lot feeling my shoulder and bedding in the brake pads. Brake will now lock up the rear wheel w/ ease and have modulation.

Steve from Sun Valley returned. Beth returned to Moab.

Today I rode from the Bean out to Red Rock crossing and back. Most of 5 miles was pavement, the rest was slightly bumpy dirt. No foul. I pedaled strongly. No rigorous upper body work out, just pounding the pedals. Acceptable shoulder discomfort.

Feb 17. At 6PM it was 64 degrees w/ relative humidity of 18%. Sun was setting.

I have a foot DR exam on Thurs. My foot hurts when I put weight on it.

My new tent arrived today. Made by Tarptent, model is Moment. I am searching for a suitable pitching spot, prefer grass that dogs have not wetted. Not happening. It requires seam sealing.

That’s how the masseuse described my shoulder muscles. She worked the entire hour on my bound up muscles that felt like knots. I felt them rolling. From her knowledge she felt no muscle tear. My right side is noticeably less developed than the left. I felt better physically and mentally. Now maybe strength exercises will be next step. She gave me a deep tissue massage.

Today I hiked up onto Wild Horse Mesa from Jacks Canyon. VOC is built right up to the foot of the mesa. It’s what you see when you look SSE from Tony’s Chevron. Another stellar day. 89A is closed going up the switchbacks because of a sink hole that is being studied for proper repair. 179 down here was quite busy. Commuters to Flag drive S on 179 to the interstate to climb up slope to Flag, longer but faster.

Last night I finished “Wild”. The author spent much print writing about her emotional issues off the trail. It was not to be a tell all how I hiked it: what did I take, what did I eat, etc. The trail takes a toll on a person. My memory is of just hiking. The trail changed me, life was modern day primal in that life centered around food, safety, and shelter. I suppose self actualization happened as a result. Every step was directed to the next food drop which was on the way to Canada. Enough about what she wrote I felt, I remembered.

Formula serviced my brake noting that some hardware was over torqued causing possible poor performance. Affected parts are not part of bleed process.   I’ll prolly get it Monday, 3 days past the 2 week recovery. I’m hoping to ride.

This afternoon @ the Bean a young man told me he met me in Missouri. He added details that jump started my memory recall: he saw my van in a parking lot then approached me. He invited me over to his shared house for some Boulevard beer and sleep on the street out front. Three guys a 2 women. They asked lots of questions about my less than a year old odyssey, spring of ’09.

My ceramic coffee mug fell out of the upper cabinet landing first on the granite counter top which broke the handle into 3 pieces. I should contact cement it together b4 bed. Such are house hold chores.