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.

Yesterday morning’s forecast for Hurkin was for cold and freeze thaw. I checked Sedona’s which raised a higher level of pleasure. 5 hour drive and mostly sure of a place to park for the night.

But first was and is a van health issue with engine fluid leaking. I suspected coolant which focused my exam. I saw that the lower radiator hose was leaking . I took problem solving action by googling repair shops, picked the most appealing then called Mon AM. Guy, that’s the shop name who happens to be on site owner. Sure we can look at it now as we’re not busy. I headed to his shop down near St George. A tech checked the leaks, he reported a leaking head gasket. They don’t do that repair. The leak is a seep that needs fixed. I made the decision to drive to Sedona then seek repair. Anxiety over engine issue. I rationalized that the leaks have been around for “a while” and the van still runs fine. Most of the 245 miles to Flagstaff traveled unpopulated desert with questionable cell coverage to holler for tow. The Dodge dealer is on outskirts of Flag right on my route. I stopped in and made an appointment for tomorrow for diagnosis then make a repair plan. Service advisor told me they are capable of making the repair. I will have 3 one way trips to Flag before repair. Fingers crossed.

Darkness fell while I was still on I 17 which meant that I would be locating a sleep spot in the dark for the first time this visit. I needed to learn the condition of the dirt tracks to each spot. Ah, the ace in my pocket is the paved cul d sac at the top of the hill. Empty. I chose my same spot which requires the height of 3 leveling blocks under the right front wheel. Familiarity. Wind gusts 23 degree get up, van was 56. It is what it is.

Today I started my connecting with people. I have a dentist and eye exam appointments. Checked bike and bean out, new people, the stylist who cuts my hair and beard retired, a round about has been installed in uptown which is almost empty. Stopped at Fat Tire shop which was closed but Dave was inside. As I approached the shop door he opened it and greeted me. I hung out with Dave and Chip engaging in stimulating conversation until my voice cracked and my brain said it was full. Bid adieu then drove to The Worm bookstore to check on my in town sleep spot. All good. Short walk to Whole Foods and Old Sedona for tomorrow’s Zags game, they are ranked #2 presently.

Slipping back into my Sedona lifestyle. Trail work on Thurs.

Forecast for Sunday is 61. Bring it on.

Last year I made a spread sheet to record the books I have read, present total is 41. 42 is Hemingway’s The Snows of Kilimanjaro. I ordered Gone with the Wind.

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Ken Burns’ Country Music and Underground Railroad. Two days ago I borrowed Country Music from the Hurricane Library which I have been watching the last 2 nights. Hours and hours of info which bumps up against writing this. Then in search for a book to read I researched award winning books instead of being overwhelmed by choices on bookstore shelves. This one is Underground Railroad. There is a tie between the 2 as slaves brought over the banjo and their music which was incorporated into white music, that race that kept down and abused horrifically those they copied. Music continually morphs as different styles bump up against others, absolute power continues to corrupt absolutely. Music changes, abuse of power remains the same. Mix in some riding for separation of my thought processes.

Winter here has been wet and cold creating freeze thaw mud up on Hurricane Cliffs trails. Two days ago I drove out Sheepsbridge road which sort of bisects the cliffs to observe freeze thaw mud. Scratch off riding here let alone driving off road to any one of BLM established campsites. Current forecast wants serious freezing at night and slightly above freezing during the day. No riding on these trails this visit.

Riding choices have been like Church Rocks (2 times) and now where I am presently the Barrelroll trails down at Santa Clara which is rocky and at just under 3,000′ for warmer temp. Church Rocks is sand, the wet better binds the sand grains which is better than dry but still sand. Not all of it is sand but it is noticeable. OK, there is more slick rock than sand but rock is expected to be dry, albeit sand stone is slippery of sorts when wet.

One day I rode Lakeside trail out at Quail Creek which is mostly clay. I rode there on Tuesday under sunshine and no knee socks warmth. The tread was mostly firm but it seemed the top most surface had possibility of grease. I couldn’t count on a hard carve for fear of both the bike and me sliding on dirt that wasn’t firmly connected to its substrate. Count the challenging out and back as a ride day. I slept at the TH turnout the night before to have a ride from the van.

My body continues to be unhappy. All of my body parts are in accord with all evaluations coming up within spec. No explanation for what ails me. My happiness is not happy.

Yesterday I drove down to Santa Clara and the Barrelroll trail system. On my first visit 2 weeks ago I spoke with a rock climber who had posted up his van here at a parking area apparently on private property lacking no trespassing signs. I planned on riding here then spending the night. I did both. The trails here are chunky with many tech opportunities that challenge me and I am sort of rising to the challenges, some escape my ability and adverse to risk. Like 11 miles climbing 1,100′, the climb starts right from the van.

The nice weather and dry trails brought out the most number of riders I have yet to see here although once on Barrelroll I was by myself, the crowded trail was Sidewinder which is an up and back down loop.

Yesterday after my ride I was outside when a rider literally flew through the parking area then onto the climb. He was riding an ebike. I watched him “pedal” so fast up what I huffed and puffed earlier. I am age affected speed but he was on rocket power. He did not appear to be what proponents are saying ebikes are for: a rider who’s condition, either from age or infirmity, does not allow them to enjoy riding on heart propelled trails. It just ain’t right to mix faster motor assisted “pedalers” with solely heart propelled riders. I emailed IMBA last week about BLM “allowing” ebikes on non motorized trails and have yet to hear back, same with local BLM manager. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

This morning I plan on driving over to ride Bear Claw Poppy system which might be pedaling trail then prolly head back to Hurricane.

My attraction to this type of desert is loosing its appeal as is the social vibe.