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.