Yesterday the weather forecast called for changing weather bringing in high winds, precip and dropping temps. The winds picked up in the AM blowing sand which I don’t care to breathe. I drove into town calling today to be a non riding day.
Diane Rehm interviewed John Grisham yesterday talking about his new book, Rogue Lawyer. I picked the book up in Fruita and read the cover piece. Store offered 25% off. I put it back. After hearing the interview I bought the book full price at a local bookstore here in Moab. Good, another fast reading book.
I visited Chili Pepper bike shop which is my go to shop here in Moab. I asked and was given permission to use their address to ship my purchase of Oneup parts.
I visited Rim Tours where Beth works. She wasn’t there. But Neil was. He was part of a wild party in the Bike and Bean parking lot this spring. One where the story is Virginia was so incapacitated she was eating chips that were spilled onto the pavement and she ate a cigarette butt which she claims she didn’t. Smiling previously met people whom I recall.
I asked about the community thanksgiving dinner. I learned it is called Wabasabi which is a community based organization. Volunteers are needed for the dinner and I signed up to serve at the second sitting. I’m here till after Tday. Feel good moments.
I sat in a parking lot waiting for the below. Winds picked up bringing in driving rain. I read a good chunk of the book.
I saw in the local paper an announcement of a program on Mexican red wolves reintroduction last night at the library. I believe strongly in the reintroduction of wolves as a top predator. The small meeting room was packed. Mostly people my age and many men sporting ponytails. Prolly not a Smoke a Pack person in the room. Grassroots citizen organization. Courtney showed up. She got was accosted by a male library patron coming out of the library proper who asked her what was going on. She said wolves. He asked her for her opinion about reintroduction. I heard him start on a rant about when you are chased by a pack of wolves. I walked away. Throughout recorded history just a few people have been killed by wolves. Perpetuating fear. Wolves are the top predator who eat big ungulates which thins the population which lessens the strain on the carrying capacity of the ecosystem which benefits by growing browsed trees back which brings back life that had been killed off from overgrazing. Seems like humans need a top predator to thin our ranks. Maybe that will come from the microscopic diseases such as Ebola. Not wars.
Afterwards I drove out to Willow Springs rd. The compacted sand showed signs of wheel ruts meaning the road bed was greasy. My first spot on the rocks was occupied. The big parking spot on the north side had a different group camping w/ a fire going and people standing around. I checked the next 2 preferred spots which were also occupied. Shit. I should have stayed down on the river. I turned around and headed back out. I saw a raised hand waving as I drove by the big spot. I thought the wave was from recognition so I got out and walked up to the fire. 4 young people who didn’t know me but they invited me in to share the spot. I hunkered in my heated van while they stood around a fire. Winds picked up rocking my van and rain pelted the sheet metal.
The furnace ran all night. I was toasty.
Today I gave thought about where to ride today. I decided that the trails need another day to dry out. I drove back to town where I am sitting in a parking lot looking at snow on the rocks above town. I’m going to grocery shop, take a shower at the aquatics center then drive up towards Dead Horse State park and camp. Tomorrow I plan on riding a piece of the trail I helped build last year. I’ll continue reading Grisham. The police and rest of judicial system are rigged against citizens who pay for them but have little recourse when we are screwed over.
I ordered my Oneup parts: a 42T+16 rear cogs, a 30T wide/ narrow chain ring and a chain guide. Thanks all for sharing info.