The MRI of my right shoulder as read by the orthopedic surgeon said the fix failed and there is nothing he is able to do to restore the torn tendons. Degeneration and tendon retraction spell the demise of my shoulder. Next up is a PT effort aimed at strengthening what’s left. There is cortisone injections. Somewhere down the road I am closer to a replacement shoulder and its limitations. But that devil is not ready to be bidden.

Drove to REI to do a happy feet boot swap. Picked OBOZ mid high hiking boot.

September 9 I turned 66 years old. Sister Lynn called for a chat. Later she sent me text pics of me back in my youth. I shared them w/ the bar tenders at 10 Barrels. What a hoot. I struggle getting my head around how I look today compared to my senior hs pic from 1966. That’s me?

On the 9th I did a 2 hour ride at Phils. Nice, no crowds, vacations over.

So, my shoulder is very painful most of the time. I arrived in Bend back at the end of June and began a strengthening program and no biking. I worked 2 months the exercises given. No muscle activity. I didn’t really ride but did. It hurts now because of the harder riding I have done. The tears existed before this pain which is caused by muscles compensating. The PT said his prior concern was damaging the repair, now that it is destroyed there is nothing further to damage. I await working the new exercises 9/21.

Yesterday I paid off the loan on my property. The escrow company sent me an encrypted email that my software wouldn’t open. I called the office. She could fax it. I obtained the fax # from the shared branch credit union. Got the fax w/ the wire transfer instructions. Stepped to the teller and asked to wire money. There is a limit to shared branch privileges and this wasn’t one. Next was a cashiers’ check and mail it certified. Interest is being accrued daily, I added 5 days interest overpay. Soon I will have the land title. Hectic effort that the credit union helped me negotiate.

Today was wash day. Mariners played an early game w/ Felix pitching. I moved up my socializing hour to watch the game and drink a beer at 1:30.

After watching Felix and the Mariners for 8 innings I drove down to my property to spend the night. I lifted the rusted cable from across the fence gap and drove in. Ground is pumice that compresses

I parked in an opening and sat down to soak up the vibes. Sun will be filtered by trees as it should. I have some ideas for the siting once I get a house plan. Mostly P pine. I listened to the wind blowing thru their needles. Underground electric from the NW corner, a well drilled and pipe laid to house, and a septic system installed away from the house. I fixed dinner, ate it with a glass of wine, cleaned up, and moved onto writing this. 4G 2 bars.

Today I followed up on an architect lead to make an appointment when I return to Bend. Desire is to get a design that a builder can bid to.

I’m thinking future plans will depend upon my shoulder. I’m counting on PT to stabilize and reduce /eliminate pain and allow me to ride. If not successful and if I want to eliminate the pain it will be a reverse shoulder. It is what it will be.

My property is 4 properties east of the Deschutes NF. Old Mill Ts into Boundary that runs only north puts me almost at the dead end. Old Mill going east is large depressions dirt road. I’m 2 properties away from the east cross road. Rough road and it “doesn’t go anywhere” means quiet. This evening I put on the OBOZ boots and went for a walk into the forest. Fuels reduction started at the FS boundary and went westward

This is unreduced what the above came from after a “haircut”

Tomorrow my dropper post is to be here. I’ll ride to reacquaint myself. As long as my pain doesn’t get worse riding ain’t hurting me.

Monday I am back in Spokane for a week. I’ll prolly head that way on Sat.

Friday I drove over for the MRI w/o contrast. Pleasant visit. Results learned today at followup DR visit.

Afterwards I drove to Rockin Dave’s bagel shop as he makes real NY boiled bagels. Outside I spied a PCT pack and inside there were 2 guys who had the look to go w/ their packs. I invited myself into their conversation. Shortly a woman joined them. They were wearing like rain clothes as their washable clothes were across the street at the laundromat. Gavin was meeting a bus, Jellybean Rambo was going to Sisters to pick up her new shoes, and Tiki Don needed to pick up his food package and return to Bend. I jumped into their stories and added mine. I squeezed 3 hikers and their packs inside and drove off.  We finally found the bus stop for Gavin. We took of for Sisters and into rain. Stop @ PO accomplished they wanted a beer at the local brew pub. We left Jellybean Rambo @ the city XG and Tiki and I drove back to Bend. Jellybean Rambo got the Rambo as suffix to her name because as a single woman friends of hers gave her this huge sheath knife that she carried lashed to her pack. All 3 were hiking the PCT as long distance hikes, not thru hiking.  We enjoyed each others’ company but friends new and old must part. We all have stories to share.

Tiki and I shopped REI. He bought a new pair of shoes to replace his worn out ones. I dropped him off at the motel where the 3 of them stayed the night before as it was the cheapest spot in Bend to stay.

Jellybean’s boots were an REI shipment like in Wild included missed shipping promises.

Rain was heavier as we headed west towards the crest, little fell in Bend.

Labor day weekend, sunny and brisk. I walked downtown for a stroll. Nothing for my interest. Back @ 10 Barrels to watch Mariners. I sat at the bar and a guy later sat in an empty chair next to me. Jason is his name. Our conversation kept me away from the game. He is a mtn biker. He threw out the invite if I wanted a ride partner give him a shout. He left. I left later.

Sat AM at 7 it was 31 degrees and frost was on the grasses. Jason texted saying he was in for a ride. I picked him up and drove to Maston to share with him a new riding place as he moved to Bend 6 weeks prior from Seattle area. Beautiful day. Maybe 7 cars in the parking lot, most I have seen so far as it was a Sat and cooler temps making this a good place to ride. We encountered 1 couple riding and that was it.

Back in Bend a shower at Snap then 10 Barrels again for baseball and a beer. I usually drink only 1 beer because it is weight calories that I have to pedal and get my belt around. Jason showed up for beers and dinner. Place was crowded, packed. Long line for beer and a table. I am standing in beer line w/ requests ahead and behind. One of the managers greeted me and asked for my beer order. I was served ahead of behind me. What a honor to be recognized and treated special. Special. Guy behind me took exception to my treatment.

Days before I spoke w/ Manny, one of the bar tenders, learning how the place runs. He said that the managers give frequent tests to ascertain employee knowledge of choices. Everybody is given the test regardless of how long they have worked there and their knowledge. To me is was a motivation by a kick versus a pull. Days later I spoke w/ a manager about their testing and shared how GOATS rewards trail help by the color of their helmet which to me is a positive pull reward. He was excited by rewarding folks after testing out. He shared the idea w/ other management and they are going forward w/ a positive rewards system. Turns out Jason has spent his career in HR and I involved him in a discussion w/ the same manager I spoke w/. I add ideas.

I swapped boots at REI for a pair of Keens that I wanted to test out. I picked another hike in the 3 Sisters Wilderness off Cascade Lakes hwy. Sunday I drove to Lucky Lake TH, the furthest S TH so far. Trails are in deep forest cover w/ lakes sprinkled in the mix.

I could do very long loops or shorter out and backs, I chose the latter. Plan was to hike to Senoj lake 6 1/2 miles in for the night. I greeted a pair of hikers heading against me who told me the lake was dry. Next lake is Doris which is off 6 Lakes where I passed on my previous hike.

Doris Lake is just a few miles in from a TH and I feared camped out crowds. Not so. One camp was on the shore site but I was able to find a pleasant spot further back.

My tent is essentially a netting tent w/ a bathtub floor underneath a rain fly. It is a 3 season tent aimed at venting away moisture, air can’t be shut in which reduces the axiom that a tent adds 10 degrees warmth. This tent is airy. I can sit upright on my chair at the high point. My 6′ Therm-o- rest Neo Air inflatable is just short enough to fill the inside length. Tight quarters requiring flexibility and limberness that I somewhat lack making getting in and moving around inside and back out a trial. Tent weighs less than my floorless Pyramid needing at least 4 stakes for set up vs 2 but more move around room. Bathtub floor is great for rain as is the netting in the Tarptent Moment above.

I sleep in a Wiggy’s bag rated to 20 degrees. I slept cold this night in the just below freezing temp both from the ground and above. I’m researching another bag. The Neo Air is to be warm enough to sleep on snow.

The Keen boots are a tad too short as my toes rubbed against the front. Confirmed that the entire downhill hike back. I am researching another pair of boots. REI has this fantastic happy feet program that allows do overs for another boot. The PCT hikers are wearing trail running shoes and replacing them. Tiki said the hikers w/ foot problems were wearing boots. I am not ready to embrace low cut shoes.

School started today.

Yesterday I rode some of Phils trail system. I rode over some chunk and walked others, all in keeping w/ not abusing my shoulder. Trails are dry talc, lots of wet will be required to knit the grains together for a firmer tread. Get up higher elevation into the p-pines the tread is woods litter. I rode 17 miles of enjoyment. I miss my dropper post. My shoulder hurts. I rode over lunch time on empty trails for most part. The area has so many miles of trails allowing the crowds spread out leaving the impression that you are all by yourself. The FS is to expand and rebuild the existing TH facility and published a plan w/ events and dates. Should have been completed per schedule. Only activity to date has been to fell the trees in the way. Perhaps the fires are draining $ and personnel to do the work? The TH just gets packed w/ rigs parked along the road.

Yesterday b4 riding I reached for something and heard a pop in my shoulder. Noticed it after riding. Still hurts this AM. Today is an MRI and a reading and knowledge sharing next Wed. I did my exercises yesterday w/ the same results: no muscle strength. Are tendons still attached?

Yesterday was chilly enough to switch to long pants after my shower. Chilly. I arrived at my sleep spot just before dark. Chilly. I turned on the furnace and attached the driver’s window panel. I read for awhile at my seat in comfort. I crawled into bed later and snuggled in for more reading. At light out I turned off the furnace to learn what a cold night of sleeping would be like. I woke up needing to pee in the wee hours in a very cold van. I almost didn’t want to relieve my bladder. I did leave the warmth for relief. Back in I pulled on the 2nd layer of down blanket and turned on the furnace and fell back to sleep. I woke up later too warm as the furnace was doing its job. The experience convinced me to leave the furnace on at a low setting. Furnace only has a rheostat instead of a thermometer which doesn’t allow for a temp setting. I just spin the dial one way or the other and wait for change. At 7:00AM this AM it was 31 degrees outside. The blower motor consumes battery storage.

Labor Day weekend will be too cold for floating the river. Tourism is green money feeding the hospitality industry and retail sales. A community needs to scale to support visitors. Schools start next week which will dry up the work week visitors.

Off to MRI.