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.