Sat as I prepared to leave the van @ the Albuquerque airport my phone rang, a recording informed me that the plane needed to get from Houston to Columbus was taken out of service. My revised travel plan is to consist of a hotel stay for night, first flight out @ 7AM flying to Chicago, change planes and airlines to fly finally to Columbus. The airline even threw in $7.00 food vouchers for dinner and bfast. I called the inn for the shuttle which arrived almost 40 mins later. I got on and the route continued making 2 round trips to the other terminals before it arrived at the hotel. The same inn had an economy unit and a more pricey one that passengers that weren’t flying economy were put up in. Got up @ 4:30. No breakfast until past security. This flight was a 767, my seat was the in the last row. I walked my small duffel bag and worn fanny pack threading between the narrow seats to the back. The next plane was a small regional jet with a single aisle, 1 seat on the port and 2 on the starboard. Finally Columbus. Picked up rental car, a Kia Soul, then drove up I-71 to sister Lynn’s in Mansfield, Ohio. I stayed there for my duration.

Sister Lise, the youngest sibling took a turn for the worse causing her to be medically admitted to a hostel about 25 mins away. I visited her Sun, Mon, and Tues. She has terminal cancer: lungs and brain. Heavy morphine protocol. We enjoyed each other’s company. We visited while both of us were lucid. Tearful good bye as are paths are never to join again.

Quite a few thundershowers dumped lots of rain. Each day it was broken rain clouds. Dual Hs: Heat and Humidity. The airplane flights were bouncy.

The route back west went east to Charlotte, NC on a regional jet then an A319 to Albuque. Last row both flights. Walked out to van while hoping it wasn’t broken into. Safe. I gained 2 hours clock time. Body time I was 2 hours down. I drove from airport heading towards Santa Fe to a FS XG out of town. I was counting on seeing rec signs towards the ski slope which is up the road further. I missed any. I drove further out of town on I-25 till I finally bailed and started looking for a sleep spot. I found one just along side a dead end road. Nice to be back in my bed. I got up early because I was unsettled about the spot. A gas station was across the road. I drove in and filled my tank: 25.8 mpg. A Sheriffs car pulled in from where I slept. He didn’t see me where i slept if there was to be a foul.

Next stop is Salida, CO where I am parked outside Mark and Brenda’s house.

I am interested in Carnegie Libraries. I found a web site that lists the libraries. Last year I visited the Richland County that I borrowed from while I lived at home. It is on the register but the building front does not display the name. I queried the archivist to learn that in is 30 years working in this department he has never seen the Carnegie name. Back in 1903 $35,000 was given to the library. I haven’t learned how much the building cost. Pretty ornate. Research lead to reading about Mansfield’s history. My Dad was active in the community earning him many listings in the local newspaper.

Senator John Sherman of mansfield authored the Sherman Anti trust act. Back in 1890. Ohio senator Sherrod Brown is making statements that might create a corporate greed act. His family lived 3 houses away. We went to different high schools.

Lynn’s house is old built it times when Mansfield was prosperous.

Mark and Brenda live a few blocks from downtown. I watched a deer amble across a fenced yard.

Salida is host to a river fest and Bike the Rockies, going to be packed.

Snow is still on Monarch Crest above town @ 12,000′. Salida is 7251.

I’m sitting in Albuquerque airport.

I enjoyed time spent in the Zunis w/ Bill. I left Sedona Thursday noon after pt and laundry. Drove I40 from flag to ft Wingate exit in NM. Speed fast, never above the limit. The van requires strict attention. Arrived Thursday night. Jack finished his ride enjoying a rain shower. He lets me shower @ his house in Gallup. I fixed dinner for Bill and I. Stayed up late talking. Friday he took me on a hike where a new trail will be built.

I’m doing this on my phone typing right fingers only which is hurting my shoulder. I’m logging out. Ohio bound.

Haagen Daaz, on sale @ Weber’s IGA, a pint for $3.00, regular price $4.49.

Tonight is my last night in Sedona as I leave tomorrow on a to week road trip to get to Bend, OR. Tomorrow is one last go w/ Rebecca, the PT, and laundry. Next stop is Zuni mtns near Gallup, NM.

Spent Sunday night up @ Flag which is almost 15 degrees cooler than Sedona. Mon AM I drove down canyon to my PT appointment. She is really happy w/ the range of motion I am getting. Not quite all I should have per the protocol. Afterwards I got back in my van and turned on the engine. An instrument displays outside temp:100 degrees. Flag will be cooler. I drove back up canyon back out to Fort Valley. I hiked up one of the roads from where I camp which intersects the pipeline for a loop. I didn’t allow enough daylight to make the loop.

Tues. I drove to Anytime Fitness to ride an exercise bike. The first one I rode was a recliner sort w/ a big butt seat. In short while my glutes were barking from the seat shape. I tried another one that must be used for the spin classes as it was devoid of electronic ride info. Made 30 mins of effort. I showered then drove over to REI to buy a mat I could place on the ground to do some stretching exercises. Whole Foods nearby had fresh wild Alaskan salmon. $18 for about a pound. Mmmm good. Added a chopped yam and asparagus to the steamer pot.

Tues. night several thunderstorms lit up the ski and wetted the ground. I was concerned that the road might soften. I drove out OK this AM. I drove to Anytime and put down 40 mins on the spin bike. I pushed as was evidenced by the copious sweat drops in spite of being down wind of a fan. I showered then drove down canyon to the Bean.

Sedona post office is inconsistent w/ their General Delivery practice as 1 package made it into my hands while another was returned to sender as the addressee was not known, that’s what general delivery is all about.

I hiked a loop from the bean. Hike takes just over an hour of serious humping. All by myself. I used a bandana to wipe perspiration from my forehead. I carried it loosely stuffed in my left front pocket. I looked down to discover it was missing. I rehiked till I found it. Temp in 80’s. Afterwards I sat on the covered porch icing my shoulder. Shortly the local free beer loving riders made their thirst known. The keg just blew. The talk turned to sexual prowess leaving me w/ nothing to share. I was hungry so I drove down to PJ’s for a one last grilled chicken salad. I enjoy a place where I am known.

Back out to Beaverhead spot. All by myself.

This will be my last missive until next week sometime. Tomorrow to Zunis till Sat then drive to Albeque and fly to Ohio. Return to Albeque Tues night. Maybe Salida on Wed, certainly by Thurs. Excitement of getting back on the road. Not as happy as packing a carry on for Ohio visit. It’s going on vacation leaving my house and only able to take what I need. Then I remember or want something from my house which is a very long walk away.