Dosing myself with an over the counter antiacid which just cleared up my stomach pain. Just so much more happier.

Yesterday AM I drove up to Tie City XG in fog and strong winds. When I drove past the TH parking continuing into the campground to score a site, the lot was packed w/ rigs. The conditions were chilly, foggy, and very windy. At late afternoon return the lot was empty. Today with excellent fall conditions the lot had just a few rigs.

Campsite is in aspens that are turning yellow. The leaves fall off very soon after turning. Today I pulled several leaves of different colors, the ones the most turned all but fell off, the greenest were still firmly attached.

Weather forecast was for upper 60s and strong winds later in the day. I pedaled away about 9:30. My kind of trails with a mix of connector wide smooth tread to tight twisty what’s around that bend, mix in roots and scattered rock gardens narrow ridden in tread. Lip smacking delicious.

Trail intersections were labeled and matched Trailforks which was my navigator. Elevation is 8,500′, highest riding I have done.

The new slightly higher seat height is still the cat’s meow as my pedal stroke is so much more powerful by allowing my legs to extend to just above top dead center so to speak. The previous slightly lower height seemed to make my stroke firing before top dead center like bouncing my knees to my chest.

Stayed here again tonight. $10 for 2 nights of actual FS campground. Slight distraction is the traffic noise from the interstate maybe 1/4 mile thru the trees.

Tomorrow is Curt Gowdy as short drive aways.

Wind velocity here in Laramie is even stronger than Cody. Left Cody yesterday morning after visiting with Jesse, the local coffee roaster. He told me he is moving to Bend in 3 weeks and his successful ground up coffee business is for sale. Sunny day with wind.

I asked Trailforks for the Happy Jack TH above Laramie. I might have made it b4 dark. I rolled into Laramie after the sun went down. I decided to city sleep. Found an unowned gravel parking lot almost on the I 80 west bound lanes. Heard a thundering noise outside. Freight trains. Going by almost frequently were towed cars as I was right near a towing shop. Windy, van rocked.

3 days ago parked at Outlaw trails a mouse joined me. Only after crawling under the covers did I hear it. I slid open the door under the sink and established visual recognition. Seems last year at the same spot a mouse joined me. I set 1 trap baited w/ almond butter. First night no success. Mouse chewed Kleenex but I could not find any food stuff chewed. Last night I wrestled with the hair trigger on a trap that I set on the floor at the Kleenex box. I slid open the sink door to check that trap. Success, mouse was caught with its teeth on the trigger, the trap wire did its job. Trap and carcass are outside. I bought new traps with a better trigger, made by shop in Lititz, PA next town over from where I lived. Legendary traps.

During my drive yesterday I stopped at a rest area. On the sidewalk right in front of my van I saw a black object that could have been a cell phone which is what it was complete with driver’s license etc clipped to the case. What to do? I waited hoping that the person would realize that he/she lost their phone and would return. There was no host at the rest stop. Had internet service. Googled police dept. Nearest was 42 miles away in same direction I was headed. Called the station to ask what I should do. Woman told me they have experience in connecting owners to their missing devices. I stopped at the station and gave the phone to her then drove off. My good turn.

Today forecast called for winds which were higher than yesterday. Weather station at airport reported 30 mph wind w/ 47 mph gust. Weather forecast for tomorrow is just as windy as is for Cheyenne.

My guts are not happy and not responding to treatment. A visit to a UC discovered nothing, body is in spec for what tested. Trying another antacid. CBD, at least these 2 batches are of no relieve other than 1 releases me to good sleep.

Camping at Happy Jack at 8688′. FS XG, senior pass half off makes 2 nights for $10. Needing road love.

Work on water system to eliminate water sloshing out of the fill hose opening. Work that I had avoided just because it was work. Figured out why pump looses prime. I need to eliminate the inline filter as the tank is clean and the present hose connection allows pressure loss. Hardware store is downtown in football mess.

Listening to Ohio State vs Nebraska, Bucks are just hosing the home team. Last Sat at the Royal Wolf in Driggs I sat next to a hard core Nebraska fan, she was really into the game. This shellacking, 38-0 in first half is prolly affecting an emotional response.

Tonight is a Wyoming home game. Yellow, the team color was prolific. The school is almost downtown where, for me, are located best choices for sports bar but the football crowd would mean traffic jams. I wanted to watch the Coug game which starts locally 8:30. I will listen to it on XM while snug as a bug under my covers.

The campground butts up against the Happy Jack trail system.

Last night slept at Outlaw trails TH. Forecast called for strong winds after sunrise, however, winds blew in while dark. Velocity was strong enough to really rock the van. I left my 3 leg stool out instead of putting it away as I thought I might like to sit outside and look at the sky. By the time I finished writing yesterday’s post it was bed time and the stool remained outside. I was sure the wind blew the stool to the next downwind county. However the wind just laid it flat. Checked the Cody weather station which records wind velocity. Again, so amazing how much force a low velocity wind can exert. Speeds stayed below 20 mph. Later in the morning a gust did top 30 mph. Too windy for me to ride. Drove into town and did my wash. Drove out to coffee roasting shop to visit with the owner who is from Marquette but he was out delivering his beans. I did buy beans for next batch of cold brewed coffee.

Visited with Chris at his shop, Funvagen. How to consume time when not riding. He has a dog that lets me affectionate and loosen hair. Dog fix.

I will post pics of yesterday’s ride. Pinyon pines were in full pine cone plumage. The trail system has many black diamond sections, some I walked going down and pushed going up.

Found pieces of dead cows are hung on the fence line. If only a (or more) complete skeleton was hung which would be a start of eliminating cow grazing on public land.

Interesting con trail

Chunky challenging trail system with below grade cow created tread made for pedal strikes.

Cold temps forecast for later in the week with possible snow on Sunday. I will be leaving here tomorrow headed to Casper. Trail desert between here and there. I might not avoid snow forecast. Casper reported a 44 mph gust.

My present saddle height allows for proper leg extension for powerful stroke which has really improved my riding.

Stumbled onto a brew pub, Pat O’Hara, for a draught.

My guts are not happy.

I consume 1/8 oz of flower a month. Liquor stores here do not carry aged rum, must be big city source.

Reading Beloved. To be lost in a novel meant you were not lost in your own life. Same to visiting.

new sticker forth coming. 3 X 3. Tell me if you want one and we figure out how to get one to you

       DUMP     

his name
is a brand

          unbrand him, he’ll go away

                                    we are not don’s kids