Here around Moab. Winds have been past blustery. Temps are lower. In year’s past this weather was a harbinger to move further south but it occurred closer to after Thanksgiving. Water puddles making mud bogs, water is liquid dirt and opaque hiding unknowns. At the entrance to Willow Springs road there are several large puddles, some with 1 wheel base tracks out of the water. Pays to keep 1 wheel side out of the water. First time I drove in I did that. When I drove out I chose the main line thinking that the lead in gravel would have been on the bottom all the way through. Again, hidden treasures: never learned if gravel was there but I did learn of several deep and sharp edged holes that bounced me on the driver’s seat and shook the van contents. Scratch that line. Subsequent passes used the 1 side in 1 side out line.

Stayed several nights at Willow on the slick rock patch of the past visits. Corey, from Looney Beans in Bend, joined me. He travels with his 2 dogs that are retrievers as in game of bringing back flinger flung ball. They play until they all but drop.

I rode out to Klonzo from anchor spot. I rode out to Klonzo from anchor. Several rigs in that parking lot, but shared trails with none. Previous rain events created gulleys in the trails. Dirt was firm, certainly no dust.

Corey is in process of building out his van, at present his heat source is his 2 dogs. I shared my warm home with him till bed time.

Sat Cory’s friend, Mike, arrived along with firewood. We all sat around a warming fire after dinner telling stories. Mike snowboarded Fuhrer Finger on Rainier. Accomplishment. I attempted it on telemark skis long time ago but failed as the snow did not corn up over night and high winds buffeted us climbing.

Sunday I drove back to town for provisions as in water and importantly propane then drove up to Horsethief area. I met those 2 for a Rodeo ride. Parking lot had mud bog. Mike was time pressed and the 2 of them are so much faster than me we parted company. Rodeo is directional which keeps the single track single. Nice chilly ride.

Steve will know of this spot as it is a short troublesome climb.

Afterwards I drove further out the road to a anchor spot. My preferred spot was taken but the burned out pick up truck hulk had been hauled away. Spot still had soft mud. I parked at spot B.

Somewhere up there is Burro Pass that the Whole Enchilada climbs over and down. Wait for snow melt out next summer.

Forecast called for high winds, gusts to 40 mph, steady 20 mph for Monday. I deemed too windy for the exposed ride at Navajo Rocks so I hunkered down. I did go for an afternoon hike to enjoy the outside.

Last night wind speeds rocked my van. Heater kept me warm.

Today, election day, I drove back to town as I had mail forwarding awaiting that looked like a ballot.  I had my license tab forwarded to Moab that I hoped the mail was. I had already mailed my ballot so this one did not make sense. I picked the mail up at the PO and sure enough it was a ballot, a replacement, as the registrar perceived my tracking of my unreceived ballot as being lost. I tore it up as I had already voted and did not want to add false flame to stolen election claims. No license tab. I called the license bureau to track the tab. Person told me it had been mailed to  my address of record which should have been the  mail forwarding address of Seattle. Played yes or no with clerk as she was not permitted to give the mail to address. She said look at current registration for address. It was Fruita. My fuck up. She described ways to receive the tab. I called the Fruita PO. I explained my predicament to the PO clerk who said my request of them forwarding it to Moab was not SOP. I asked and he found the mail then put it in a mailer bound for Moab. Tab expires tomorrow on van’s 16th birthday. Sometimes nice things happen.

Weather forecast calls for more high winds with added precip and falling temps. Today is the day before the blow. I am in town now to city camp in Reid’s yard for several nights before going back up.

Last night listened to the Zag’s season opener Bball game. Great start to season.

Parked curbside outside Double Down bike shop, a Revel dealer writing this. Sunny, slight breeze, 73 degrees.

Tuesday I finished my drive to Moab North Klondike camping which attracted about 4 campers. Stutter bump road in jars the incisors. Cost is $20 / night that I pay half price because of my seniors’ pass. I waited for solar gain  for comfort. I rode out DIno to its end then returned on the easy trails on the west side of the valley.

No trees. I like riding these trails and Moab in general.

Spent the night snug as a bug  in a chilly rug. So nice as the new heater works as engineered and as built.

Wed I had more of these trails. Weather forecast called for strong winds, gust to 40s. I pedaled Dino to Baby Steps climbing up to Mega Steps. I planned on continuing on Alaska which is more exposed to wind but chose to cut short by descending Mega Steps to Dino for return. I felt strong wind as I pedaled what I rode, Alaska would have been wind tough.

Spent another night. Quiet and chilly.

Thurs forecast was for precip including snow. I planned on a rest day to stay dry. Thurs was laundry day and I needed provisions necessitating town trip. Rain started. I picked up my mail, which contained my election ballot, on which I selected my choices then slid the vote by mail ballot directly into the post office out slot. Filled my water tanks at Gearheads. I stayed up on Sand Flats XG as the dirt was sand which is better to drive on than dirt mud. Snow started falling after dark and continued to before 10.

This morning the sun melted the snow up to an elevation and exposure setting. I parked the van with the rear pointing to the east. Again what happens is the rear of the van is warmed to a point that tells the heater thermostat I have reached the setting and shuts off, again the living room is chilly. While waiting for sun to melt snow I made 1 call to research my medigap insurance coverage. Amazing to me that who I selected was a broker who walked me thru my insurance needs. I picked Plan N which will save me almost $1,000 per year. While on the phone I didn’t watch the snow melt off.

Today I planned on driving up to Horse Thief. New friend Cory spent last night up there, he reported 2″ of snow and not melting. Today we made a plan to ride Bar M trails in the afternoon. We met then pedaled away. Cory is just 45, I only saw him at his rest stops.

I decided to stay low elevation at Willow Springs which is now pay $15 per vehicle per night. I scored my favorite spot up on the slick rock. Cory joined. Place is almost devoid of campers since the fee was implemented. In years past the place was packed. Willow Springs road goes thru state land, it is now a state park with undeveloped sites. Now there are numerous portipotties and even a dumpster. I checked 2 potties out seeing last service date was 2 days ago.

Tomorrow I plan on Riding Klonzo out the road. Hope is sun will melt off the snow up at Horse thief. Forecast is favorable for snow melt.