Quiet chilly night off the Green mtn rd above the White River, north a ways from Mountain View. Frost in the morning again.
Today I only needed to wait for the sunheat to melt the frost and the deer hunters return to camp. Plan was to ride the Red blazed trail, Bad Branch loop, connected by Jacks. I pedaled up the road to the mid mtn TH and intersection with Jacks. I pedaled a ways dealing with lack of use. Years ago during a visit a selective harvest cut over the trail. Today I came upon what appeared to be blocking logs across the trail. I cleared them as a trail angel would do and continued. The trail dumped right into the cut over trail again fighting off brambles and green brier. I gave up as the coast was more of the same. I pedaled the road up towards the last TH where the Bad Branch loop intersects. A piece of Jacks left the road and ended at the TH that had been brushed. I started onto the red trail and shortly learned that it had not been brushed or cleared. I finessed my way thru the multi branched top of and oak laying across the trail. I continued until I caught the bail trail back to the mtn road. Bummer that trails have not been cleared. Today I encountered 4 riders so startled that I encountered other users I forgot to tell them about what they were going to be getting into. I did run into them on my way back and they wore the effects of Jacks they tried to ride. I suggested the cleared Bald Scrappy loop.
I look forward to a cleared trail system now that the Walton Foundation is funding trail work for the 5 IMBA epics in the state.
Back at the van I changed clothes and plotted my movement. I drove down and thru Mountain View heading towards Clinton and another ride. I researched Silver Sneakers and found a participating facility before Clinton. Cleaned. Next up was propane. I googled tractor supply and found one in Clinton. Cool propane and groceries and a FS camp spot. Smugness for lining up successfully my critical elements was met w/ failure. AT tractor supply a staff person looked at my propane filler connection and said she did not have the proper connection. S.H.I.T.. Check the RV park on the highway was suggested. I drove by it then realized I had gone too far. I drove back and found it. Closed, be back 9:00AM on Monday. I had called earlier leaving a voice mail that has not been returned asking about propane. My reading of the fuel remaining per the tank gauge said I needed propane before the night was over. I drove south to Conley a larger city. This is Sunday afternoon in no alcohol drinking counties of Arkansas. The tractor supply there did not have propane. Suggested was Russellville flying J 45 miles to the west. I hit I40 driving w/ a purpose. I arrived at the J and pulled up to the refill tank and went inside stating my need for propane. I was told they had a run on sales and their tank was empty. Nowhere else around for refill. It’s after dark. I needed to ration my remaining propane. If I rajn the heat to stay warm I would burn thru the fuel to empty before morning which would kill the fridge and make my food possibly spoil. I found Dardanelle SP campground nearby that had electric at the sites. OK, I can run the fridge on electric and just have my 20 degree down sleeping bag ready for extra warmth. I pulled into a campsite that didn’t have a site number. I plugged in my electric cord to the electric panel and the outlet for the van then switched the fridge to AC, it errored out meaning there was no electric passing. I checked the breaker panel, no change. I plugged in my electric vaporizer into the breaker which turned it on. Current left the breaker. I disassembled the female plug to learn a wire had pulled loose. I made the reconnection and juice flowed. Good, food is safe. Prior to arriving at the XG I killed time in warm buildings of a restaurant and grocery shopped at Walmart. I was never cold enough to pull over the sleeping bag. I googled propane refill finding one that wasn’t a national chain. Just after 8 I called about a tank refill, sure. I asked the address, I heard him say Venice and we spelled it. The gps did not recognize that street. I found their address in google and drove to that spot. Turns out that’s where they used to be. I called again and was given directions. Turns out the street was Bernice. We could not comprehend each other’s accent. I learned that they supply the J and they delivered on Friday.I was told that the store said no propane was because they did not have a licensed filler on site. And I had enough propane left for night heat.
While walking in Walmart I felt a bump on my leg. I looked down and it was a tick staring to burrow in.
Propane and groceries I drove down to MT Ida. I pulled into a gas station seeking water. I was told about an outside spigot. My van attracted the attention of a group of locals. Seems that Chicken Pot Pie is well understood. They chuckled at my other political stickies. All is good elsewhere.
I decided on a short ride day and rode the western start of the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail (LoviT). Beautiful fall day. Warm. Excellent pedaling trail w/ no tech features in open hardwood forest.
I’m camped at the western end of the trail. Forecast for tomorrow is serious rain amounts into the night.
I will stay here in the area for more of the LOViT and the Womble, perhaps find a restaurant whatever serving T day dinner.
My accent says I am not from here in the South East. A foreigner in speech and mannerisms. I found a grocery store that did not sell Chobani yogurt, first one. Time to eat a cup.