55 degrees at 3:22 PM. About an hour ago an intense thunderstorm passed over me and others dropping the largest hail I have ever had beat on my van. Leading edge of front dropped hail diameter easily half dollar which sounded like someone took a mallet to the roof. Then the rest of the storm followed, not so much heavy downpour enough to wash the green P pine pollen out of the air and leave green rimed puddles. Trails here are dry and dusty. I got my ride in before the storm hit, forecast called for it but it arrived 2 hours late. There is an unmarked intersection in Phils system that continues to leave me navigationally challenged. Today repeated where am I? Serendipity for shorten ride kept me out of that storm. Bought groceries, filled up with water and propane then drove out to Phil’s TH and seeking favorite camp spot. last week the FS opened the TH and snow parks here, being closed kept me away. Trail head was packed with most rigs I have eve seen. Continued past to find sought for spot opened. Living here in the forest just outside of town and right on the trail system is easy living.
Going back in time to bring us up current will be shared.
Thursday needed a laundromat which I found down in Klamath Falls in a Fred Meyer shopping center. Clean clothes in empty facility, and groceries were almost the same. Expected my food and beer choices, just enriched wheat flour bread.
Friend Derrick is employed as a trail builder for Dirt Mechanics out of Bend and is building trail on private property on Shoalwater Bay / Spence mtn. I drove out to Shoalwater bay TH to start ride Derrick gave me. The land is logged over timber harvest current woodland beef grazing. Yeah, but the trails were first rate. Mini ex built except for nasty Queen of the Lake which was hand built traversing several basalt rock gardens. Deep shade from oak trees.
Negotiated the Queen walking several of the rock gardens as I have resisted the challenge of exquisite balance. what goes down has to go back up and then maybe go down again (?). Climb was up Spence south ridge, 4.7 miles climbing 1546′. Purpose built trail which makes climbing matching what a strong rider can pedal. I am strong but my engine is worn which causes me to lack steam to make some of the climbing rock moves.
Lots of sun exposure during the climb. At the top, what climbed up, can only go downhill. machine built terrain park type features mixed in. Drop, drop, drop. I was so accustomed to coasting that when the trail pitched upward I had forgotten how to properly pedal. What a great system making a trail system with some features versus making a features park. 19.8 miles climbing 2028′ in 2 hrs 47 mins. Spent the night at the TH. Derrick arrived for a short visit.
Learned that the property owners are allowing trails to be built on the land and that the greater community is raising funds to pay for development of the trails.
Friday AM I drove to my property N of La Pine which has been my goal. Stopped in La Pine for groceries which is a Ray’s which is like a 3rd world IGA. Found an opened business with computer access for me to print off the house models to mark up for the architect. I bought 120 linear feet of 1/2 ” pvc pipe and connectors at the local hardware store. Pipe is to create a 30 X 30′ square to visualized my house setting.
I needed google maps to find my way to my property. Arrived. Slipped off the rusted cable stretched across the entry. Drove in tracing previous sunken ruts as ground is unconsolidated pumice. No winter damage or vandalism. Home, this is mine, I can not be kicked off as long as I pay the real estate tax. For me a comfortable feeling, like my emotions settled.
On the land there is a sort of opening and 2 of largest trees which I want to keep. I laid the pipe in its square, located it and orientated it to my idea. Then I walked around inside with the house design to see how it fit. I am pitching the orientation about 20 degrees east west for slight privacy from neighbors on each side of me. Looks good. Want dirt work to be done with a mini ex to minimize land damage. Will need to chain saw several trees.
At least 1 mouse has joined me. I believe they get in when I leave the side door open at night. 2 nights ago I was awakened to munching sounds. Shit. Too late to bait and set a trap. Last night I baited 1 trap with almond butter and set it just inside the sink cabinet which is also my pantry. went to sleep. I woke up to hear a thump then some crashing. Slipped out of bed and retrieved my leather gloves, put them on, and grabbed the trap and thrashing mouse. I didn’t put my glasses on to see sharp detail. I parted the mosquito netting and pitched my handful out. I heard continued struggles as the trap appears to have not squashed the mouse. I crawled back to bed. Before I fell back to sleep I heard more munching. Might be a second. This morning the trap was nowhere to be seen. Did a predator scoop up and carry away? Was the later scratching caused by same mouse returning and sloughed off the trap somehow? I am now down to 1 trap which is baited and set at same successful harvest spot.
Might be a furnace night. Shut the side door. 55 degrees and breezy.
So my property is 30 miles from nearest my choice of grocery store , Market of Choice, and a bit further to Phils TH.
1181 miles from Sedona.
Plan is to mark up house model with my changes and the architect will draw up the plans then shop the build to learn how far my saved money will build. Once I have the $ figured out I will will be faced with decision can I or can’t I. Or another house solution. A yert is in the background, way far away.