Out at Beaverhead, it’s 8:49PM. Earlier the side door was wide open after dark. Light on inside. Attracts moths that like the computer screen a few were unknowingly squished when I closed the screen. The next opening showed my carelessness in a smudge. Other insects also, several are so tiny. Freshman biology required an insect collection keyed out to gnats ass. I wonder how to key out the tiny buggers. So far nothing bites.
Last night I put my book down at 10:00 and slid out of bed at 6. I slept way out off 525 rd to 525c. I found a spot up on the flat fully exposed to gusty winds before dark. The day before I made a rest day driving down to Cottonwood to a shared branch credit union, it is the only one around for way miles. I bought a jug of corn that the maker per the label, filters the flow thru charcoal. Almost everclear price. Tastes good and has a kick.
Plan today is Chuck Wagon Mescal loop starting early before the hiker hordes. I rode off from the Dry Creek rd crossing of Chuck Wagon at just after 9. No cars parked along the roadside.Trail almost all to my own sharing with a few hikers. Everyone was cordial. Dry Creek has been its namesake for some time, I remember the high flow earlier this year causing a wet feet crossing as the water covered the rocks, other times picking a line onto rocks above the flow. Today, bring it big Dry Creek
I made the climb out over the loose chunder controlling my breathing and pedaling. Another key to me being in control being where I want to be is pedaling force. Pedaling enables steering and better line choices.
Abe, I believe this is catclaw blooming, please correct.
View to the south from Mescal. The trails go to the right of Doe and the NE side of Cockscomb
16.12 miles pedaling almost straight of 2 hrs 11 mins climbing 1654′, average HR was 119, I did keep it lower. Aerie gets rougher as dirt erodes away making the rocks higher and maybe looser. Coast on the tech downhill while steering a line. Drop the seat. This Turbine dropper satisfies me performing as required. Smooth up and down, such a pleasure to almost instantaneously change my center of gravity. I wonder how comfortable I would be if I were riding the Flux. I’m carrying more speed.
Back at the van on the side of Dry Creek road it is bumper to bumper parking roadside, one in front and one behind, first time ever for that packed.Devils Bridge hike is the attraction. Closed to bikes, never been there.
Drove back to town for plumbed hot water shower. Bought a piece of salmon and big stalk asparagus for dinner at Whole Foods. Store is very popular, almost everybody is a visitor. Picked the high spot at Beaverhead for internet signal. I steam cooked the salmon, asparagus, and potatoes in my small Cruet( not the correct name, at the moment I forget it and effort that I don’t want to expend to dig it out of my cook ware drawer). No fish smell in my house. I have a small cooking area that on nights such as this I can occupy lots of space and many items that will be hand washed. Dinner is served on a blue enamel ferrous plate. When I raise my eyes from my plate the condition of my kitchen and clean up. Washing the dishes etc organizes them on the drain board on the raised cutting board. I rinse everything under tap water while a pot of tap water is heating for the final rinse. Rinsed twice they are left on the drain board to drain or dried. Tonight my weather gizmo reported 16.5% humidity. Dew point is 14 degrees. Doc suggested putting out a pan of water to raise the humidity. The first several morning nose blows catches flecks of blood in the kleenex. I grew up on Kleenex continuing to buy it today. Life in the fast lane by the eagles playing on XM.
Off to reading in bed which increases blood flow from my leg hence reducing the swelling.