Winter is coming on.

Last week I enjoyed sunshine bare chested. A week later I covered myself with long pants, flannel shirt and…. leather shoes albeit sockless. Snow has fallen up high.  Burning the cat heater on med while in bed, switching up to high for start of day. I put the front window covering on at night to act as a temp storm window, in the morning cat combustion product of water vapor covers the windshield that requires wiping off to see out. I’m warm. Tomorrow the replacement Propex is to be installed to provide heat exchanger thermostatic controlled dry heat with the electric draw and noise from fan. Comfort comes with some cost.

My knee has been improving daily as in no pain. Yesterday I rode a test ride of Ticket to Ride, a green trail, from anchorage. Last ride was 11 days ago. Layoff maybe helped from rest, however the HR data said I worked my butt. OKAY I felt slight pain. Weather forecast for today was not riding weather, good, weather induced rest day. Tomorrow will be another rest day. 2 days rest between rides allows continual healing.

However…. I will be leaving Bend shortly, away from medical repair, I needed to know of my knee’s health before leaving… just in case. This AM I crashed the ortho clinic for urgent care. At first, because I was not urgent, they were going to schedule me for an appointment, some time end of Nov. I stated my need then I was seen as urgent. result is knee is recovering, all is good, use it letting pain be a contributing factor to shorten future rides. I score a traveling PT script for muscle issues. Other joints sometimes make popping sounds, worn parts from use. I might have a base line of pain which will become my new norm.

Next was chiro adjustment. I explained to DR my headache and he worked on my neck some more. Being adjusted all over seems like I have way more spring in my step. Headache still present. ENT DR shared web site on facial pain which I read before chiro. I held hope that source was chiro fixable, seems now is nerves.

Sat and Sunday I was parked off rd 41 as I am now, which is about 40 feet off trail Catch and Release. I have stayed here for many days after I left Phils area. yesterday rider traffic was heavy prolly because conditions up higher were less desirable. At my ride finish temp was 42, I wore knickers, a midweight wool jersey covered by windshell. I saw riders less warmly dressed as exceptions to most who were dressed appropriately.

I am waiting for election ballot to arrive at my mail forwarding service in Portland. I will fast mail it to here, vote, stick it in USPS care then head out. I checked Hailey, ID weather, even Kimberly, conditions favorable for freeze thaw. I plan on going up Wood River to visit with Steve..

Even Fruita is freeze thaw, even Moab has below freezing at night. Laid around and played around, winter’s coming on.

Forecast wants cold even adding in snow. Calendar says should be expected. Yesterday clouds blocked blue sky. Last day of fall colors before weather knocks the leaves off the trees. Yesterday I drove up to Skyliner for leaf peeping of a small aspen grove. Gold there with gray skies. Filled water from well, I like the water.

Yesterday the ENT DR examined CT scan and me reaching the medical conclusion that headache is not in his purview, referred me to neurologist as he thinks I have nerve damage which is sending the signal.

I checked the forecast for La Pine where I will someday have my small house built, La Pine is colder than Bend albeit almost same elevation. Snow forecast for next 2 days with less than 1″ landing which above freezing temps will melt. I plan on staying here again tonight to experience weather. US Highway 97 is a major N/ S route from here to Bend, a section of it get snow covered enough that chains can be required. My van lacks winter traction devices. Smokey today, air quality is orange. Oakridge has flash flood warning with precip falling on Cedar Creek fire which is where smoke is coming from.

Season change reality hit my clothing choice as this morning I changed to long pants and resequenced my clothes in the dresser drawer for long on top and short underneath. Still wearing Bedrock sandals as last hold out.

New Propex arrived overnight, shop still holding to Tues install.

Last night I researched an ocean visit, forecast on coast is for rain and snow on the passes. Even considered fuel cost. I really have no attraction to the ocean so I was easily persuaded to stay this side of the mountains.

My knee seems to be healing as I resist using it. This weekend’s forecast precip will turn Bend’s trails to hero dirt. I am planning on testing the knee on Monday. Thinking if I am convinced knee is not damaged enough for repair I will head out working my way south.

As my knee sends lessening pain signal. Daily roller and small ball pressure turns off tension in muscles. Pain sensation from the tibia is lessening to where I can push my finger against the bone. Localized. Suspect the meniscus tear allows the femur to ride against bare bone causing pain. I have not ridden or hiked for 10 days. Yesterday I took down my bike to wash, well, it was off the bike, I Accepted temptation to ride a test pedal. A short maybe 1/8 mile pedal was fine, still in recovery mode, curb desire for more. Clean bike does not gleam like a new one. Preceding the pedal was a short walk as a test for pedaling.

Hanging here off rd 41 most days driving into town for resupply and socialization. I’m building history with people I visit with.

Change: Not so good. Newness requires learning and performing to change. The unplanned change means I solve whatever. Yesterday the Propex heater shit the bed, suspect blower motor seized. Unplanned change, me to solve. This unit is jinxed as it has been repaired 3 times. Enough of this unit, I searched for a new one. The national Propex repair guy turned me on to a Seattle company selling them. I placed my order with them and paid for 3 day delivery to a selected auto garage. The fix is a remove and replace. I started looking at RV shops. Another tact, called auto shop to ask if a wrench does work on the side. None, but they gave me another shop. I called, stop by for look see. They said yes. They will shoehorn me in this Tuesday, the heater will be sent to them. Change: I am relieved as to how it is coming together.

I am now being warmed by the Olympian catalytic infra red heater, I’m warm is what I will say. It’s the heater model I started with. Heat output is unit mounted valve with settings from low to high, select until I decide to change setting. Mostly a disconnect exists while sleeping when heater output is too high for comfort or too cold, both cases require me to leave comfort of covers. Patience for Tues.

Bend is really my repair station, Support to local economy of upwards of $10,000  Forecast for snow up higher. Still wearing shorts and sandals. Have seen 28 degree mornings. Barely a trickle of internet speed here where I anchor.

CT scan was normal as in no abnormalities. Tomorrow is ENT exam. Body repair from chiro has put my neck parts in proper alignment.

Good night

Propex arrived this morning, overnight delivery, paid for 3 day. Now, to have installed. Last night I set the Olympian on lowest setting which kept chill off and comfortable sleep. I look at the Propex control box at the head of my bed having to resist turning the control to on.

Thurs morn I was examined by ENT DR, his result is my ENT are fine, suspect nerve damage.