Story, sort of, about comfort, temperature that is. Papa bear was the coldest, Mama was a tad warmer, and Baby slept without a blanket. Sleeping temperatures of the 3 previous places. Last Thursday I spent the next 4 nights above Prescott sleeping under a single layer of the down blanket and a side window open. Monday night I slept at the overlook below VOC with just the sheet and the window open. Tuesday I slept up at Flag under double layer and the furnace running. Papa, Flag, was the coldest, Mama, Prescott, was just tight. Baby, Sedona, was too hot. I am now enjoying too hot Baby temp back in Sedona.
Wed I drove to Dodge dealer for 8:15 appointment. Arrived early, took my van in, and then I waited. They didn’t start on my van per the appointment. Tech spoke with me: the shop does not have the special dip stick to check the level. Tech has a shop aide he used: dry. He put in a quart of fluid then drove it. The shifting was sweet. Paid my bill then drove down the interstate to Sedona exit. Very strong gusty winds kept both hands in firm contact with the steering wheel to correct direction change. Transmission seemed happy. Slept in a new location further back on the first right after the overlook behind a slight wind screen, late at night I pulled the 2nd blanket layer over me. But no furnace.
Today, Thursday, is clean clothes day. But first was a ride in the morning cool. But I finished at noon in the heat. Drove up to Cultural Park feeling out the transmission. Sprinter rumblestrip but shifted correctly.Very few cars in the parking area. Ride was down Stirrup to Girdner where I met a Yavapai Cty Sheriff that we know each other. I asked about sleeping in VOC, he said it is private property and the law has no issue unless property owner minds. Good to know as an option. Continued to Snake descending down to dry Dry creek, then social trails to reconnect with Aerie.
Climb up shoulder of Doe Mtn on Aerie then descend mostly to Aerie TH. Cockscomb to Outer Limits. Encountered 2 women hikers who asked how close were they to the parking lot. They wanted the Cultural park and they were about as far away as they could be from water. I gave them the shortest route to get back then pedaled off.
Pedaled Last Frontier off Outer Limits back to rejoin further along. Outer Limits back to TH. I encountered 1 rider and maybe 6 hikers in the 18.4 miles, 2 hrs 24 mins of mostly non stop pedaling. Bike computer reports 26 hours for recovery. My max heart beat was 158 per minute.
Today, or maybe tomorrow, Arizona removes the COVID restrictions. I noticed the FS has also removed trailhead closures. Also, Deschutes County in Oregon, where my property is, moves to level 1 opening which opens outdoor recreation. I haven’t researched if the FS is removing their closures. It appears that I can go north to Oregon and ride. Up thru Nevada. Might have done my last laundry here. North to trees, water, lower temps, and mosquitoes.
Tonight I scored my preferred Beaverhead spot the first left past the overlook. Has 3 bar 4G speed which is why you are reading this.
Thinking about driving further east to Show Low to ride Los Burros etc which are up on the Mongollan Rim at 6,xxx’. 191 miles and almost a 4 hour drive. It is going away from my intended direction which means returning to Sedona.
Dinner time. Last night I made a sort of Spanish bulghur dish big enough for 2 meals. Tonight is simple 1 pot warm up.
I am being bitten by “critters” that my body is responding with itches.