So close, tomorrow I will leave Arizona after spending 159 days in state. Here, still in desert with prickly pear, and cholla cactus plus creosote bush. Of course yucca.
Yesterday I drove to Flag on I 40 correcting wind effects. Drive around 60 in 75 mph zone, just a bit faster than a water cooled Vanagon camper. Scored another face to face with my GP. Learned I have a belly button hernia also that he was able to reduce. Suggested stating my case to surgeon for repair, unfortunately I am making tracks for Oregon. Surgery is elective and not urgent. I have high blood pressure now. Hmm. Pressure had less than 130/ 75, now it is a bit higher. My body is changing. Low dose statins started tonight.
Plan was to sleep out at Fort Rock outside of Flag on was to Grand canyon. Arrived there after 5. Forest had been feller buncher logged. I drove out logging road passed place where I had stayed years before, I saw a camper at next 2 spots which didn’t bode well for open spots further along. I picked a former landing near where I had stayed as mentioned. It worked, I made it level and never stared at the ground. Years ago Freehub Mag asked me to write an article about camping spots which I did and they published. Last night a new axiom emerged: pick the shittiest spot and you will be by yourself.
Many rigs went by seeking spots further out which had to have become packed, sim to Willow Springs at Moab. Chilly night neeeding furnace for warmth.
Today I continued west on I40 correcting for cross and head wind to Kingman to ride their local trails. Chose the N side of rt 93 trails, Fort Beale. Elevation is 4,000′ give or take a few hundred feet either way depending upon where I was. Desert riding full on sun, nary any plant high enough to give shade. Creosote bush, prickly pear, cholla, yucca, invasive thistles and cows. Head winds at places increased the work required to climb. Velocity was in teens with gusts at 24 per NOAA web site. Hot, just made 90 degrees with humidity less than 20%. How much water can I drink to stay ahead of desiccation. After 2 beers earlier I still have not peed.
Tread was small sharp edge rocks and trail was narrow bench cut. Not much use this side. Climbing was hard as those plentiful small rocks kept the speed down and the effort quotient red lined. I picked my route by studying Trailforks picking a loop. On paper it was doable. On the ground when i made the top of Rattler and could see what I would have to climb back out I took the other turn.
I backed into a cholla with my left calf scoring 2 spines in my flesh. I finished the ride with them sticking out. At the van I pulled each out. The first one was topical, the second 1 required some elbow grease. I did what you are not supposed to do with cholla because the thorns have small barbs that prevent easy removal. Treatment is to leave the spine in and allow the body to abscess it out. I will watch the spot to see its recovery.
I learned that the trail head on the S side of divided highway rt 93 is an acceptable spot. Access is only from the S bound lane which requires going past to first exit then doubling back. Right against the down grade to town. Oh well, see comment above about selecting a site. This spot is away from the level paved main spot which is populated with rigs of varying use decay, I have a few more years to join their league. Traffic noise for background.
The advent of smart phones and Trailforks solve the where am I dilemma. Today I rode an almost grown over trail holding not tracks or crushed vegetation. When seeking clarification stop and ask Trailforks to locate me.
Prolly won’t need furnace tonight.
Tomorrow is thru Las Vegas to Beatty. Oregon Deschutes NF has opened trails and snow parks for Bend riding. I still have a bunch of days to go before reaching Bend.