How dry the west is. Red Flag warnings, smoke filled skies, no open fires allowed. Amazing that this place isn’t in flames. How can so many people w/ so many chances to spark a burn and yet no fire? RT 97 is a major N_S route w/ all the cigarette smokers perhaps flipping their butts out and no fires. It is sooo dry. The FS land has not been closed as has happened in Sedona in the past. How can the authorities close a forest that surrounds the town? I am still staying at my spot out past Phil’s. Recreators are still playing. I ain’t saying close the forests, I am so thankful that a fire hasn’t happened. My property N of La Pine is forested. May rains come or maybe I wish that I would have closed on the property after the rains. Central Washington state is massively burning and can not be contained. Just amazing. I dug fire line back in 1970 on fires that were less severe than ones burning around Chelan. Prolly the Entiat where I last worked is burnt again.

Smokey skies occasionally here in Bend. Yesterday wind direction changed and blew the smoke elsewhere leaving skies blue and clear. I was told about riding an area SE of town on Horse Ridge off China Hat road. Clear skies and only mid 80 temps were sufficient for my ride. This place is another location for shoulder season riding as it gets dusty and is exposed. The road to the TH passed thru an old burn in P-pine forest. The first part of the ride also went thru the burn. Patience as the trail climbed out of the burn into legacy logged forest. Trails in the burn were loose and dusty but in the forest cover they were typical woods trails w/ organic mixed in lessening the loose stuff. The trail mostly climbed to Swamp Wells horse camp at my change direction point. The full loop continued west of an unnamed butte for a longer ride. I chose the return route that went down the gut for a shorter ride. Shame as the trail went almost fall line down. Next time I will ride the big route for more enjoyment.

Two days ago I sought medical attention for a referral for an orthro DR and a GP to solve my disruptive digestive system. I tried a large family practice where the docs are not accepting new patients. The earliest I can get in is 9/28 w/ a NP. I drove to an Urgent Care location for treatment. I was given a referral to an ortho that accepts medicare and scheduled an appointment for next week, earliest in. He was referred by the PT. Effort is to learn what is still connected in my shoulder. My digestive tract is loose on the low end w/ emerging upset stomach or at least no desire to eat. Started w/ stool cultures to learn if I am growing the wrong organisms.

Two nights ago I was actively engaged in a Craig conversation w/ a 28 yo white male while sitting at the 10 Barrel bar. We both appreciated the conversation. We talked loudly to be heard over the roar, no idea effect we had on neighbors. I visit the tavern(?) in the evening for a beer and a chance conversation such as this one.

I am getting close to the end of reading The Cartel which is about the Mexican drug wars. So much brutality and killing fighting over control. All fueled by world’s demand for drugs that are made illegal. To me the solution is to legalize all of the drugs to take the money out of the trade. People want to be made to feel better or cover wounds and will get what they want. Used to be alcohol. Get the money out.

My riding choices are: talc w/ vert or sand and flat. China Hat has vert but talcum like particle size while Maston is sandy and flat. Sun exposure both places. Phil’s is so populated riding on talc. The 2 places I have been riding are deserted which means I don’t ride thru anyone else’s dust. Both places have few tech features.

On yesterday’s ride I stuffed my front wheel into a small rock which pitched me forward onto the handle bar which sent the unplanned slow down up into my shoulder. Dave said the pain I feel is the result of the rotator muscles not able to hold the head of the humerus in the socket. Strain on the tendons.

Off to go ride Maston.

 

Today was another PT session. I had been given stretch bands and exercises that I have been doing 2X a day for 2 months since I arrived at Bend  for PT. The 2 repaired tendons and their associated muscles are still not working. There is little difference after 2 months of exercise.  Elbow Dave, the PT, is concerned about what’s not working. He is pursuing an ultra sound exam on my shoulder while being used which will reveal in real time what the muscle activity there is. Portland town. The muscles just are not responding. I am passed the critical point of healing the repaired tendons. Concern is how will the shoulder hold up under a fall? I will chose to start riding again w/ caution. Falling is an inherent risk of mountain biking but then life is filled w/ risks. I would like my right arm to work per design.

I have been riding a loop mixed w/ pavement and dirt. There are several tech moves on the dirt that I am not comfortable with that I walk. Protection. Sure is enjoyable to dance on the dirt w/ gravity as my engine. 15 miles and about 1 hr 15 min ride. I’m coming back.

There are 3 contiguous wildernesses on the Cascade crest: 3 Sisters, MT Washington, and MT Jefferson. The latter was appealing. I planned a 2 day backpack route. Then I started researching trail conditions: A small forest fire closed one area and several of the trails are not maintained. Cancel that plan. Ah, the 3 Sisters wilderness: not burning and the claim that 70% of the trails are cleared. I planned a route which will pick up a piece of the PCT. I head out tomorrow. Two nights of sleeping on my new NeoAir All Season Thermorest.

Night time temps are chilly: down blanket cold. I have started the furnace in the mornings before leaving bed warmth. Furnace starts and runs per design.

Bend is built on the banks of the Deschutes River.  There is quite a float business during the warm times of renting flotation devices and shuttles. I notice an abundance of paddle board roof rack attachments on rigs some w/ boards aboard. Bend is populated w/ diverse athletes. Lots of bike racks empty and full abound. Phil’s TH is packed even on weekdays. Dusty trails. Today forest fire smoke hazes the sun.

Girls in their summer dresses.

 

I made this one at home: cowboy method filtered thru gold filter strained out the rocks. Such a great tasting cup of getup.

Sunday I stopped at the Mercantile on the way out of town. Eugene presented me with an opportunity to help a road rider by asking me if I would drive a overuse damaged woman back to McKenzie Bridge north of town and a long way back to Bend. I agreed to drive her. Grace is her her name. She rode w/ a group of guys and worked to keep up w/ road racers on a heavier than my mountain bike and stressed her knees preventing her from the return ride. She has been around and studied the body mind connection. Amazing young woman, She gave me her phone number. Unfortunately she went her way and I went mine.

I drove scenic rt 242 that climbs over McKenzie Pass. Narrow, nothing on the far side of the white line. Tight corners. Plan is to hike north on the PCT from the pass like I did in ’78. The trail covers a large lava flow. Trail is hacked out of basalt and is littered w/ cobble. I chose my Lowa boots for break in plus footbed support from rocks.

I hiked across the lava field w/ intention to climb Belnap crater which failed because I did not allow enough time for the round trip. I hiked back thru the field again (no Choice) and spent the night at the TH right off the highway. So enjoyable to camp out in forest.

Monday I stopped and rode Maston before arriving in Bend. I am riding w/ more confidence and reservation. Dry dusty trail but nobody to dodge. 13 miles is sufficient testing for me.

My back is and was still acting up. I scheduled a massage for Monday afternoon at the same location where Dave, the elbow PT, works. Austin continued the elbow method on my back. Very uncomfortable, painful is a safe word. He worked me for over an hour. Muscles were very knotted. I did experience some relief. Still not pain free.

At 6PM Monday I had an appointment w/ a La Pine builder to talk house construction. We met at my land. He spent time telling me about the quality of his building and nothing about design. He did give me recommendations.

I drove part way to Willamette Pass in preparation of an overnight on the PCT heading S towards Diamond Peak that I intended to climb. I chose a logging road leading off the hard road then a smaller road and found a smaller side road and parked. Quite night: still warm.

Tuesday I finished drive to Pengra Pass where I would pick up the PCT. I packed my pack and shouldered the load and headed S. Deep forest cover of mtn hemlock w/ nary a sky view. I used Halfmile’s trail map which is a GS map w/ the trail depicted. He added water access and camp spots noted. In OR the PCT stays below the peaks. Numerous small lakes and tarns are present. He noted water sources in some cases were snow melt fed streams which were all dry I discovered. I picked a lake closest to where I would camp for sure water. I hiked down to it and filtered my (2) 2 liter Platypus bottles that are to last for fixing dinner, drinking, cleanup, breakfast, and cleanup to have enough water to climb 2,000′ to summit. I made water last but not enough for the climb. I packed up and headed back. I don’t drink enough water.

Before sundown I noticed an incredible cloud build up north of me.

Before dark it blew apart.

No precip to feed the shallower tarns caused them to dry up which had an effect of mosquitoes as there were none. This one had water.

I hiked back to my van then drove back to Bend. A shower cleaned the dust off.

I emailed Cascade Design, makers of therm-o-rest self inflating pads, asking questions about how durable their pads are as I did not see thru hikers carrying them. Response was pads have held up well. She shared the pad she uses which is a NeoAir All Season. I checked it out: 72″ long and 2.5″ of loft weighing less than my old ’01 pad. I’m in. REI doesn’t carry it. I checked out another store and scored one. Takes about 22 breaths to inflate. I laid on it on the van floor sparing it of the pokey things on the ground where I camp. Bliss.

This year I have spent bike money on backpacking upgrades in my tent, boots, and pad. My intent has been to hike what I missed on the PCT. I have been testing my body and mind for this endeavor. The tent is great, the boots and a modified stride seem to avoid most of foot pain. Pack is heavy. I weighed it after my trip w/ little variable weight in food and fuel and water: weighed 30 pounds. Food is figured to be 2 pounds per day. Add fuel and water and do the math for how heavy my pack would be to hike 10 days. Dunno. Pretty big bite for not a hike hardened body. I might have old folks boogie: the brain makes promises that the body can’t fill.

On this last hike I encountered 4 thru hikers heading north. Amazing: hiking in trail runner shoes and full sized packs w/ hardly anything in them. Light weight covering miles per day w/ few comfort items. I prefer my chair and cooking “food”.

Presently the PCT is detoured around Holden area because of a forest fire. My plans might be altered.

Yesterday I dried out my gear and stowed it in my cramped van. At 4PM I had an appointment at the title company to sign papers for my land. Sunriver: tourist mecca. Signed papers in exchange for 2/3’s of purchase price, owner carries contract for balance. I will own it outright next month.

I drove back to Bend and 10 Barrel. I sat outside trolling for an audience. A woman walked by me w/o greeting. She returned , walked by then turned around and asked me if I was the van guy. Yes, I said. She said that she has met me in Cable, WI and Sedona. We chatted awhile. Nobody else came close to sitting in the empty chair beside me, must have been because I was in full hot sun is what I think.

I have been working the PT exercises strengthening my shoulder. Yellow band hard. takes work.

Today in a little bit I will ride from here on my Shevlin Park loop.

Monday is a PT session. I have made no future plans. I am mixing in backpacking w/ my riding. My hope has been that my shoulder would be strong enough to train on Bend’s trails which will prolly anchor me here a bit longer. easy living.