I fucked up by deleting what I wrote. I hit a combination of keys that nuked my missive. Sorry, I’m not inclined to recreate.

Summary: Prineville is not a choice. Best selection of raw land is 33 miles south of west Bend. Deschutes NF restricts private property.

Unsettled weather dropping intense rain showers and t-storms. I want to do a short backpack back to Sister Mirror lake. The weather forecast calls for rain and t-storms. I do want to test my new tent and my foot.

Yesterday I spun 51 mins on an exercise bike @ Anytime as I thought the saddle was more to my butt. I rubbed my crotch so badly I had to quit. I sweated so much that my T shirt was completely wetted. There are spin class bikes that lack the fun of electronic ride stimulation but the saddles are better suited.

7 years ago yesterday I handed over my house keys to the closing attorney and hit the road. I made a whirl wind tour of Washington while my left shoulder was finishing healing.

On Wednesday I hiked out to see this feature up Mill Creek outside Prineville. Ochoco Mountains and forest.

The stationary bike at Anytime, the one w/ the mind consuming electronic display, has  an uncomfortable saddle that just rubbed my crotch raw. I made 51 mins yesterday and completely sweated out my t-shirt.

Back to Bend.

AT the Prineville COTA meeting I recognized Rick who used to work @ Mountain Gear back in Spokane. I did not make a memorable impression on him from his tenure.

Writing this blog requires taking time away from doing whatever it was that I was doing. Sometimes it is just staring out the window.

Sat while sitting at the bar at 10 Barrels i struck up a conversation w/ 2 women who appeared to be physically fit and dressed in exercise apparel. They had hiked to the summit of South Sister. That piqued my interest. I researched the hike / climb and scheduled the trip for yesterday, Monday, that would be free of weekend crowd. No technical equipment or skills required, does that make it a hike or a climb? I hiked to the summit, or climbed? Hurkin effort climbed 4954′. First part  was in deep forest cover of hemlock climbing steeply. The trail burst out into the alpine:

Just loose junk. Many braided ruts, pick the one that appears to be less loose. I made the summit. My Suunto elevation had not be calibrated for this location and it read low. The summit is 10,335′, I was 900′ low which affected my drive. I set a turn around time of 1:00. I made the summit @ 12:30 then calibrated the altimeter. I stayed long enough to eat a Clif bar then headed down. On the way down I lengthened my hiking poles to slow my descent. Dave told me I should use both poles and I heeded his advice. I slipped up high and caught myself w/ both poles. I woke up the atrophied muscles sooner than planned. So far there appears to be no damage done. A young woman passed me in the open alpine. She stopped for bfast and I passed her. She used me as her rabbit but only caught me once I was on the top. She caught back up w/ me down low and we visited while we finished out the woods descent. On my way down I encountered a young woman on her way up late in the afternoon. Forecast called for 20% thundershowers after 11:00AM that I shared. She said she was good to go. I finished my hike and headed back to Bend. I drove thru several bands of high energy t-storms which dumped hail so heavily that the ground was whitened. I pressed the brake pedal to slow down and was rewarded w/ anti brake pulsing. No rain in Bend. Later as I was leaving 10 Barrels I spotted the woman as I recognized her shoes. Lindsey and she works here. She said she got caught by the storm just as she made the crater rim. She said hikers were running down mountain to get below the lightning strikes. Nasty. I just made it.

I left 10 Barrels for camping. I noticed the “F” icon displayed on the frige control panel. Meant no propane. I filled the tank the day before. I checked the fuel gauge which showed sufficient level. The spitter valve spit so there was propane. No fuel reached the stove. Bummer. Now to seek emergency repair. No fuel supply meant no refrigeration and spoiled food. To say nothing of no breakfast. I researched RV repair shops. I ate b-fast out. I called my first choice. Slammed. Suggested Jerry’s. I called and Jim said come on over and if I had patience he might be able to help me. Turns out they serviced my frige on a previous visit. I suspected a blockage. Jim pulled off the valve and restrictor which allowed air passage. Turns out the electric valve was plugged. Removed it and propane flowed. The temp rose to upper 50s which spoiled food that will be thrown out and re-provisioned.

I am now leaving for Prineville to attend a COTA meeting and check out land. I was going to do an overnight back pack trip in the Mill Creek wilderness but my legs are beat from my Sister climb.

Back in mid 80’s I ski climbed to the top of S Sister and skied down. Skinning up was way easier than sliding in the ejecta. I was also 30 some years younger.

I asked PT Dave if I would have been better off having not played while I was working and not wearing my parts out then start playing after I retired. He said I was ridden hard and put away wet and that I was better off because the sitters developed issues and that many of them are suffering from over use injuries. It is what it is, we are products of our decisions.

Bend: 8:18PM 86 degrees outside, inside it is 94 w/ 30% RH. Les said Spokane reached 108 degrees which is hotter than I ever experienced while living there.

Oregon made me a lawful person as recreational use became legal today. No more stress risers.

Today Dave used his elbow to go after my rhomboid. I was pinned to his table face down. He asked that I speak b4 hurling onto his shoes. Most painful treatment ever for anything. Pain level up there w/ lacerated kidney. I am allowed to wear a day pack. Healing has happened, now it is the effort to strengthen the supporting muscles. Range of motion is great enough for him to remark.

Mountain Bikers take care of their own. Years ago I met Kevin, the owner of Web Cyclery. I metg Dave, the PT, thru Angela who was formerly the main squeeze of Kevin. Dave worked for Kevin setting up his XC racing ski department. He is the PT for the US XC race team and travels the race circuit w/ the team. I asked Kevin for a realtor. He gave me Derrick’s name and number. Today we met to start my land search. Derrick was a semi pro mtn bike racer and his wife was a pro. He is active w/ Web Cyclery riding. All 3 are known widely.

Derrick and I talked quite a bit about biking sandwiching real estate search. He said I will prolly find land in my price range down in LaPine. SE of the dump the  lot prices exceed my entire budget. Prineville still too much. He said that La Pine is cheaper reflective of demand. He said US 97 is more prone to snow and ice making the commute to Bend not as desirable. He will send along his suggestions. The Propex furnace guy now lives in LaPine who said his schedule allows little opportunity for me to drive my broken furnace to him for his repair b4 I leave.

Tomorrow I have a rescheduled beer meeting w/ the Director of COTA, the local mountain bike trail organization. I want to learn how the org functions.

I am volunteering at the Cream Puff in Oakridge on Aug 1. I’ll go over several days prior.Following Mon I have a Dave session back in Bend.

The past 2 days I have hiked the bike trails from my camp spot then driven back into town for a session on a killer stationary bike. The bike has a virtual computer program that rises and falls per elevation, twists and turns that the handlebar virtually moves me on the course, and gear shifting. The saddle is not a fitness saddle. The effort opens the sweat glands just soaking me. Today I made 35 mins. I take a shower afterwards.

I hike mtn bike trails that are also open to hikers to learn of riders behavior to hikers. I am not pleased. Common practice is to not announce their eminent overtaking me. I hear them and get of the trail. Not all say anything up to “thanks”, No bells.

Prescribe burns this spring have blackened the ground, burned out ladder fuels and some trees burned thru their crown. Thinning sales are planned to further reduce fuel. P Pine forest man made to the park like natural distribution.

It’s hot. Women go walking by in their summer dresses. Guys wear long legged shorts and some kind of a short sleeved shirt. More of our skin is covered by clothing that restricts cooling air flow, the women in their flowy summer dresses have the solution. Guys socially aren’t allowed to pull the same clothing. I wouldn’t shave my legs.

Last night I watched Wild. Movie adaptation of choice book parts. I was continually distracted by the lack of back packer subject matter expert knowledge and that her equipment was just as new at the end of her hike as it was store bought at the start. An MSR wind screen that lacked the multiple creases that occur from unfolding the screen to put around the stove and then rolled up for packing. She wore cotton shirts. Her boots looked like she just wore them in the store where she bought them. Back in’78 I experienced my hike. My stuff got worn. Lack of realism.

Small mosquitoes just after sunset are feasting on me. I need to install the netting across the door and driver’s window. The roof vent fan is exhausting hot air. I am sleeping under the doubled over light weight thermal blanket by morning.

Back in ’70 I fought forest fires in this kind of heat. I was 20 and had no thermometer.

Tomorrow is more hiking and stationary biking and shoulder therapy exercises. Laundry.

Beers at 10 Barrels. I read tonight that they sold out to Bud.

Seven years ago I worked my last day of work. July 9 I handed over the keys to my house. Seven year itch for change. I ain’t saying I am running aground, I am just looking for the shallows.

9:16: 80 degrees outside, inside: 85.