Thursday night during bed making I found the headlamp which was wrapped up in the summer blanket not the down blanket I searched thru. Problem started with the mouse. I woke up at a noise and turned on the headlamp to look. I turned it off then fell back into bed and sleep. I had no recall of where the headlamp was laid down.
So, now I have the headlamp. Next success was no wake up skritching. I checked the traps. Always, the last place looked right against the lentil bag was a dead mouse.
This little thing moved that maybe a cup of lentils.
Last night I slept in quiet.
Yesterday i drove back to Cody seeking Cody Coffee that Chris at Joyvagen told me about. As I neared the building I saw smoke rising from a roof metal tube chimney.Immediately suspected coffee being roasted. Walked in and zeroed onto this guy standing at the roaster. Jesse, the owner, roaster, mountain biker, formerly of Marquette, MI and he saw my van in front of Chris’ shop. Wonderful conversation as I was able to connect to things from his home.
Headed out of town heading east towards Buffalo. I planned on FS camping up near the Powder River pass at 9666′. Drove into the first XG, Sitting Bull. Nice site with plenty of open spots. Parked in my chosen spot and settled in.
Early fall.
Today i finished the drive up to the pass. Many dispersed campers near the road, suspect hunting season. Then the drive down in several places 8% grade. Feather pumped my brakes. No burning brake pad smell when I stopped down low. I first planned on a ride higher up but I did not read about the trail itself until up at the pass with service: ATV trail. I’m out. Stopped outside Buffalo for more research. Found the William J Mentock trail which runs along Clear Creek. I drove to the TH following driving directions linked to the trail start. Fancy stuff when have internet. I geared up and pedaled up the trail alongside a happily bubbling stream. River rock babyheads, many places for moves on a less threatening trail. Elevation topped at 6,000′ which my body has not made the adjustment to causing shortness of breath. Shortness comes also from advancing age and I suspect the embolism is still in play. There were 3 places where the trail was bench cut into the hill that left a protruding rock on the back slope with the outslope narrow dropping vertically down to the creek. Nasty.
I passed an older man going up creek. We exchanged greetings. I caught with him at the TH. He asked about my ride then introduced him, he was the builder of the trail which became named for him. He gave me a brochure on the trail. I asked for his autograph. He must have never been asked for one. We chatted a bit. He drove away. Then a rider rode in. He started a conversation. Turns out he built the extension past the end of the original trail, That was another conversation,
Drove thru Buffalo on my way to Sundance out on the eastern edge of the state. At Sundance with internet I researched between MTBProject, Trailforks, Backcountry navigator, and Google maps seeking FS land. Found FS land to the west of town, nice paved county road, sign for FS campground. Always a sure bet if space available. Pulled into the XG which turned out to be filled with mountain bikers. Hmmm. Stopped at a site to learn what’s up. Said a race happens tomorrow. Course is marked which will solve my navigation frustration. I was told of a parking lot just up the hill as a sleep spot for me. I drove uphill to the empty big lot and chose a spot at the outer edge above the campground. Lots of kids getting after it screaming with their high pitch voices. Quiet now.
I drove I90 100 some miles to Sundance in a strong gusty cross wind. Constant micro steering adjustments counter steering against the wind. Hand full driving a facial tissue box on a roller skate. 94 degrees with window open, sweated the seat back.
I am just about of the mountains and higher elevations. Tomorrow is into S Dakota.
Hurricane Florence forecasted path dumping heavy amounts of rain over much of Appalachians.
Tracking to be in Marquette on 9/29.