Chasing down van issues and settling in to Sedona.
Van: Spent Wed up in Flag at Dodge dealer. Made a 10:30 appointment. Adviser entered my info into their data. He read back my phone number. I walked away to visit Best Buy and the mall while waiting for report on van. Told that I could expect an answer around 2. How to consume the wait time while staying warm. Consumerism check out Best Buy. First noticed were big and bigger screen TVs. Fascinating array of large sizes and how affordable some of them were. No way am I entertaining a desire to buy one. Then I wandered over to laptops. A salesman was not attending anyone until he made eye contact with me. He spent quality time with me explaining and answering my questions. His info lead me to a new laptop which is a more powerful desktop computer than my present one. Buy today and save a bunch of $. I stored the info and walked away as I have more pressing $ expenditures than having a new shiny computer.
I browsed the small Flag mall, again spending time and staying warm. Around 2 I walked back to dealer. Met another adviser who said he had been trying to find me as he said my phone number was wrong. He read it back: area code off, previous adviser entered it and read it back correctly but had entered it incorrectly. Then came a trying discussion as to my van’s health. There is no coolant leak, yes an oil leak but no head gasket issue. Suspect turbo cooler hoses. Drove away with the info planning on working with Anderson’s down here in Sedona to go further.
I drove up Oak Creek canyon on fresh pavement to connect with previously laid down pavement. Smooth drive. Just outside uptown the squashed remains of a javalina in the middle of the road was being feasted upon by ravens dropping down between vehicle traffic.
Back in Sedona I parked at my in town spot I walked over to Whole Foods for salad bar dinner. Afterwards I jaywalked across 4 lanes of 89A to Old Sedona to watch the Zag’s game which was won. This was the first time I have watched them play. Spent the night in the lot staging myself for the next day’s trail work day at 8:30 out at Aerie TH.
Trail work. reconnected with Forrest and Kyle of the FS and then a bunch of regular volunteers. We worked to complete a new piece of trail. We walked about 50 mins to the start of our work. I work the loppers clearing a corridor for the dirt workers. Even a longer walk back. Sedona environs back under pinyons and junipers that are a bit taller than me, are plentiful, and green. For me much more enjoyable than the sparse desert of Hurkin.
After trail work I drove to Anderson’s repair shop to pursue the healing of my van. Father told stories while son examined the patient. They deduced an oil leak from the resonator. They will order the parts then make an appointment. My analysis of coolant leak was wrong as the weeping hose is part of the turbo. Now waiting.
Did wash at only laundromat in town where I have used while here. Couple who previously ran it bid adieu last spring saying that it had been sold. I had apprehension as I pulled up in front of the laundromat. Still open. I happened to look up from my wet clothes and spotted the silhouette of a familiar person. Turned out it was George, the “former” owner of the business. We chatted then learned that he has always been the owner. Clean clothes.
Drove back down to VOC and out to Beaverhead to stay at MP4 spot which was vacant. Settled into a quiet chilly night. For weeks I wake up about 5 and usually don’t fall back to sleep. I started hearing electric clicks that I associated with the furnace trying to light that had been running. The sound indicated the furnace would not light. Ran out of propane hopefully and not an issue? Slid out from underneath covers then lighted my stove. Reality was manifested: fading flame then out. No propane. Put on a jacket and grabbed headlamp then slid open the door into the below freezing darkness. I bent down to look at the propane gauge: needle was dead on empty. OK. Recovery action was to start the engine to warm up the inside. I drove to VOC choosing the 1st station for refill. It was still dark. I was told, we don’t fill in the dark which is policy. OK. Drove to restaurant for bfast for warmth and allowing sun to come up. Returned to the station where sufficient staff was available to fill my tank. Person came out and told me an employee had taken the device keys. This is a new excuse to not fill my tank. Drove to next station and asked for fuel. Station had only 1 person who could or would not leave the store to fill me. Second person would not arrive till 9:30. Plan C: drive up to ACE in West Sedona who always have staff and would be opened. Confident of fuel… unless they were out. Success: 5.6 gallons which is full empty capacity. Drove out to Cultural Park which has a for sale sign noting 41 acres of land. Parked then started the furnace: success, warmth is returning and the fridge temp remained low to protect the food.
Now I am just waiting for warmth before riding.
My shoulder has moved into an unhappy status causing constant pain. Yesterday I visited the physical therapy office who have worked on numerous parts of my body. I was well received. I told them I was just visiting as at present I did not have a referral for treatment. I suggested they could start a pool to pick the first date I would show up with a referral. Their answers refined that reason to picking which body part.
9:30, sunny clear skies, 49 degrees. Ride time is approaching. Recalibrating my reflexes for Sedona tread upcoming.