Two days ago  I parked right off the old highway where the road was like a ford instead of a bridge which is in place presently. The  forecast called for rain yesterday in a significant amount. Yesterday morning I took 4 hits of oil which knocked me back in my chair. Physical activity was all I was able to do, don’t touch the bike. I went for a hike on the trail I rode yesterday still wearing these Bedrock sandals and shorts. I got out a ways till I heard the patter of rain drops on the leaves which were still nice and fluffy. Forecast and the clouds said shelter would be prudent to stay dry. I trucked with urgency back to the van. Nature was just clearing her throat. A slight drizzle dampened me. I climbed into my van and proceeded to start some computer work. I heard a greeting and looked out to see 2 riders, one waving at me. I got out and engaged in conversation. Guy said we had ridden together back in ’09 at my first ride on the Syllamo. They were heading out for a 20 mile out and back. Each was wearing rain jackets. They left and I returned to my computer. Shortly real rain started falling. The rain would pound and ebb, sometimes a sucker hole of my 2 mins. Rained all day. I stayed inside and stayed the same place for the night. Forecast called for possible thunderstorm after dark. Check that box. Heavy rain beat down on my metal roof. I fell asleep to the pounding. Forecast for today called for clearing after 10 and temp drop to 55. Check that box.

I drove into MT Ida. I bought small town grocery selections and learned there is a laundromat in town. I drove over to it. Just closed on Sunday’s, apparently god has something to do with that in a dry county. I filled my water tank.

I drove out to Joplin area to pick up the LOViT to ride out and back to Hickory Nut TH. Two days ago the fallen leaves were not settled. The rain soaked them enough to settle kinda like a deflated balloon. The trail tread was easy to see.  Leaves get sucked up into the wheels and onto the bike at places that the leave (s) rub a wheel. I rode out and back. Stream beds ran water while others remained bone dry. There is a FS XG at Hickory Nut TH. I spoke w/ a guy who had driven a class C to the XG. He said good road. I rode back. Trail has some short steep ups which become downs and vice versus. Finish the ride on a grunt climb. I rewarded myself by continuing west past the van for more out and back and climb at eh end.

I needed beer and better grocery and a shower. I drove into Hot Springs for a shower at anytime, groceries at Harps, and beer and moonshine at liquor place. This moonshine distilled in Little Rock is 110 proof. A big splash in my pint glass was just right.

I drove up to Hickory nut mtn XG in the dark. I jockied into a parking spot hoping for close to level. Couldn’t make that spot work. I backed up until I hit a tree. Thunk. Shit. In the light tomorrow I will inspect for damage.

Tomorrow the weather is for sunny and in the 60s. I’ll ride from here more out and back uphill finish then drive back to Hot Springs to a laundromat I used once before. A shower for clean body on clean sheets. My sheets are flannel that have worn smooth, no scratchy. MTBP showed a short ride out side Hot Springs that I’ll do and spend the night at the TH. Next is a piece of the Ouachita National Recreation trail west of state route 7. Out and back. Have a slight hankering for an out and back backpack overnight. Once this is done I will head back west to MT Ida and ride the Womble.

Yesterday I called the gastro DR in Flag and made an appointment for Jan 6. I now have a date to back schedule from.

No pics today as the scenery is more of the same.

Happy Thanksgiving.

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.

Sunrise is at 7:00AM. I woke up about that time. 32 degrees outside. The furnace ran on a lower setting all night. B4 I crawled out of bed I heard the furnace go thru its turn on cycle with the blower sound going on longer than normal. Shit. Red light flashing indicated failure to ignite. I cycled the switch thru 2 attempts and no start. I put the lighter to the propane stove to check for fuel, stove lighted. I let the furnace sit for several minutes then gave it a go: successful lighting and heat for leaving the comfort of the bed. Wait Wait is on at 10 to 11 that I stayed inside to listen to while the sun increased the ground temp. battery voltage was in the mid 11 amps. Short sunlight and drain from the furnace blower.

I pedaled off up the road to the next TH parking where I had previously stayed to pick up the Scrappy Mtn trail, the hardest effort and tech challenge of the trails. Good: I am able to hike up anything or lower myself. Again making fresh compressions on the leaves while my tires searched for control for what I could not see. I wore a wool long underwear top under my long sleeve orange jersey and left the vest. Knickers and knee socks. Trail is hidden under the leaves.

Crossed Livingston creek 2X, the first one was 1 foot wet as the crossing log was too short. The second one below I rode the slippery ledges keeping both feet dry

I did a lot of walking over the more troublesome chunks. I am learning that if I lower my seat just a bit so that there is a good bend to my knees I can more powerfully push down on the flat pedals. And the wheels just scoot forward with just a pedal push.The pedal axle is for the most part under my foot arch. Oval chain ring. Sweet pedal machine. The engine needs new rings. MTBP kept me on the trails.

Yesterday I spoke with a FS official about trail brushing. This is what a cleared trail looks like

Jacks Branch yesterday didn’t look like the above, here my arms were unscathed.

Some view sheds

Never seen these berries

Beautiful day.

The piece of siding deposited from 2008 storm is still beside the trail.

I saw nobody. Depends on which of the 3 data recording devices I use for ride length and time. Garmin said 12.7, the wheel said 15.1, backcountry navigator which is gps based also said 13.2, climbed 1795′ riding time of 1 hr 51 mins or 2 hours 27 mins. Difficult riding. Trails need loving and use.

Pedaled back to the van which the sun still shone on charging the batteries. Beautiful day. camping at 997′ elevation.

Started planning ride and travel. I40 thru Oklahoma and Texas. I found rides in each of the states not far off the fast path. Ride in those states which will make 25 states ridden in since the first of the year.

Club Ride is replacing my torn knickers.

I will ride Bad Branch loop here then drive down towards Hot Springs.

35 degrees at 10:00 PM, still wearing shorts. Forecast temp tomorrow is 59 degrees, 10 warmed than today.