I made yesterday a rest day. On my list of things to do was buying fresh locally roasted coffee beans. How wonderful is Google which answers the whats only if the whats make their business on the web. Found 1. I had the street address on S main #240. Should be maybe the 3rd block south of the only traffic light in town which is the demarcation of north and south. Seems posting the street address is an option(?. Even the PO did not display their number. I drove out of town into open land well passed where it could be. I drove back into town and parked at the PO then walked over to the tourist bureau which was closed. I called the shop to learn that they are in Broulins, the big grocery store. I walked up to the counter and asked to order beans. Oh, no., we don’t roast here but the store carries some from a Jackson roaster. I picked a bag and dumped into the grinder. contents was only 11 oz instead of typical 12 oz. same bag less product out, first time I have seen 11oz size. Imagine a 12oz can of beer having say 11ozs? The store itself is closed on Sundays and turns off the lights at 6:30 other days.
While in the store I noticed 2 single guys that had the look of long distance hikers. I followed one out the door and struck up a conversation. He and 2 other guys just completed the CDT, the newest N S long distance hiking trail. They were catching a ride.
I asked for water at Peaked which was allowed and wrote this date on my Bike pic in a rest room. I discovered a bakery right near by, I have a sweet tooth for bear claws. I walked in, the baker had only 2 that she wanted to sell me 2 fer. I declined because I can not trust myself to keep the free one for the next day. Out of sight out of mouth.
I drove to the northern out skirts of town to visit the museum. I spent time looking at posted black and whites from long ago. I chatted with the 2 docents who were cousins. The older woman is 83 and has lived in the valley her entire life. She knows what it’s like to live in a house with no electric. Upstairs was a school room exhibit. There were posted rules for school teachers, one from 1890 and the other 1910. Women couldn’t date and if they became engaged or married they would be fired. The amount of building care required of them was extraordinary: Floor to be swept every day and once a week the floor was to be scrubbed. A map showed other schools in the area, quite a few. What life was like back then.
Fordson tractor was first mass produced tractor from 1917 to 1920. The demise of horse energy was starting.
I have experienced city life and what it offers around the edges. Driggs is what it is and the clients support what’s here. Not enough people drink in city roasted fresh coffee. I’m saying that what is local is local. Your city tastes and experiences are from an other place.
I returned to Rainey Bridge camp spot. Sunny warm day. I sat out side in the sun. I walked down to the boat launch to watch this yellow lab retreive a stick thrown well into the flowing river. A local said the dog lives nearby and shows up every now and then to play catch. The guy thru the stick clear to the other side. The Lab did an incredible leap off the bank into the river then just motored against the current to chomp down on the stick then swim back.
A pickup pulling a trailer pulled in next to me in an open camp spot. Guy and woman geared up in fly fishing get up. We didn’t take the opportunity to visit.
The forecast had been calling for serious rain. Today I checked out my windows and saw promise for a ride. Plan was ride, shower, do wash, and buy groceries then head back out here which has 3 bar 4G.
I drove out to Horseshoe trails where I rode several days prior. Trails climb off and on with more pedaling than the other 2 places I have ridden and I have the route figures out. I parked at the same wide spot off the road which gave me a few minutes of pedaling before the climb up Channel Lock. A little warm up is better than none like on Mill Creek. On Sharks Belly I came face to face with this:
I waited it out hoping that he she would show his/ her head. No antlers. He / she finally moved off the trail but did not run away.
Trails are a mix of tree cover per above and open sage. 13.3 miles climbing 2014′.
I drove back town out to anytime for a shower then over to laundromat where I did wash years ago. A man and woman were doing their wash. They appeared to be the couple parked next to me at the campground. It was. They are from Bend and remember me from Bend Big Fat Tour. They had seen my van in Bend and this was the first time to meet me. Long conversation as the machines did their things. Clean clothes for another week.
Out here above the riparian elevation wheat is grown. I stopped at this field to study the standing wheat. Amazing that the plant is less than 24″. Selective breeding has produced a grain plant that puts energy into only grain.
Back out at Rainey Bridge campground Mike and Cheryl were back. We visited at dinner time, each eating their respective dinner. The sky up wind changed to dark and threatening. Soon lightning was electrifying the sky. Wind picked up then big splats of rain which became a down pour. We each retreated to our shelters. Thunderstorm shower. The temp dropped. I have been running the furnace sitting here at 9:45PM Mountain Time. They take off for 2 months to travel, bike, and fly fish. They are in their 60s living an active outdoor life.
Forecast is still calling for rain tomorrow on both sides of the Pass. Rest day staying warm and dry.