Friday was the day and I successfully installed the new fan tastic vent fan on the van. I scampered up and down on an extension ladder leaning against the side of the van. Ken cut out the sealant and screw heads, today it was a matter of backing out 16 screws that went thru the fan base, the roof, and into a custom wood garnish. The garnish is water stained and now dry. I don’t recall how or who installed the garnish(maybe me) that over torqued the screws which fractured the fan base which established water pathways. Today I installed the foam gasket then screwed down the screws after drilling new holes as the screw holes are different per model year. The foam must act as a crush washer to keep from over tightening. I sealed the screw heads and laid a bead of sealant along the edges of the fan. Today I visit Stephen to fabricate and install a frame around the opening to finish off the install. New fan has a smoke colored dome which changes the light inside. Some time will pass b4 rain falls here in the desert to learn of my success.
Thursday I rode out Dry creek road: Chuck Wagon, Gunslinger, Mescal, Yucca, Canyon of Fools, Dawa, AZ Cypress, Snake, Girdner, and Chuck wagon. There was more chunk than I remember and I hit all of it having fun. My shoulder hurt afterwards, I rode too much. I do the PT exercises every day to strengthen other muscles. I lowered myself to the same level of my tires from a miscalculation going around a left hand turn. I slid gently to the ground landing on my left side.
Friday I hung at Bike and Bean. The shop ride went out at 3:00 which I don’t participate in because of my shoulder. Luke arrived back by himself then drove away. Upon his return there was an additional bike in his rig and battered Duane who crashed pretty hard landing on his left side. I drove him up to the Emergency room for treatment. He broke his collar bone and a rib that is also dislocated. He is busted up. He and I will be able to sit in the shade nursing broken wings.
Saturday I hiked the loop around the massive above the shop. There are several hiker created trails up to the pass then a loose down climb to find a traverse over to Transept which sort of contours over to HiLine at the pedestal. Once on Hi Line I encountered 3 hikers and 4 riders. Saturday and I was almost alone. Good hump almost 3 hours of trucking.
Sunday I drank moonshine.
I hang at the Bean which attracts riders. Sunday 2 guys visited w/ me from where I met them somewhere else. The younger guys I didn’t recall. Sean is from Bellevue, ID. Years ago on 1 of my early visits to Wood River I stopped at a laundromat right on Main street. Sean lives right nearby and was returning home when he saw my van. He introduced himself and invited me on a ride that afternoon. I shared Moonshine w/ him.
I used Turbo tax for my taxes.
Friend Steve sent me a book, Dirt Work, written by a woman about trail dogs. ( I already told about the book). I finished it. She has a chip on her shoulder being a woman doing hard physical labor w/ men, constantly comparing her effort to men. She gave me an understanding about women only rides.
Cathy, I now am reading Skywalker Highs and lows of the PCT.
My living arrangement came unglued when Duff understood how long I wanted to stay w/him. He was thinking a few days and I was thinking 6 weeks. I am working Craigslist and networking. I am able to park my van behind the Red Agave Resort out of the way and a bit of shade. I might lower my bed and use the van for recovery. Every thing is w/in walking distance from there. The grocery store is a mile away downhill.
My surgery moved up to this Friday.
Grasses sprouted, flowered and are now throwing seed.
Cows are now grazing where I camp out off Beaverhead.
Going to ride my short loop down here then head up to West Sedona for the wood work.