Typing

The desert at Sedona have received short snow dumps and the temp goes up then back down. Sunshine showing sometimes blocked out by clouds. Trails are too muddy to ride and some days too soft to hike. Been hanging up in Sedona at Doug and Leia’s some nights. Freeze thaw mud.

I occupy myself such that I can put off writing here. Travails have arisen and ebbed, to capture them means remembering them. I will recount as amuses me with recall.

Van: Anderson replaced the fan clutch assembly that eliminated the sound of a blower and suspicion of transmission ailment. Such a relief. I had bid the Devil good day many days before meeting him and spitting in his eye. Metaphorically written. Anderson researched the engine cutting out seems to be cam shaft sensor and is taking steps to order then replace. The other shop still hasn’t received the air control module that controls inside comfort. Mileage dropped to 18mpg at last refill is of concern. I hope the fan contributed to decline. Anderson test drove the van and reported strong health.

Heater continues to be contentious to consistently light. Listening to long winded propex person telling me that problem is too lean fuel mix that doesn’t allow ignition. Solution is making the intake duct 12″ longer and adjusting regulator pressure at 15″ water. I cobbled 12″ of hose to intake duct. I called an RV shop in Cottonwood for them to check regulator pressure. I scored an almost on demand appointment. Said regulator won’t hold pressure indicating a leak. Said it was the regulator diaphragm is not holding. I ordered a regulator from Propex shop that will be calibrated for proper pressure to be shipped to me then installed by RV shop. However, the heater has been running properly.

D & L and I hiked 2 days on the south facing slopes on S side of 89A. During Thurs hike riders went by showing a wishful little amount of mud. Doug and I convinced ourselves that we could ride the next day. We did ride. We stayed on the S aspects. Our pedal went for 68 mins for 6.84 miles climbing 860′, that’s 126’/mile a good hump. Monumental ride as previous ride was 5 days prior, we are both affected by long lay off.

Sat the FS catered to volunteer work effort out from Baldwin TH. My contribution was cutting out sight lines on Baldwin, more walking with tool. Many others headed up Highline to do dirt work. Us lopers did build a ramp on Baldwin that will make the climb a roll up that should eliminate the user created go arounds. Blue skies above.

Word on the street was Bike and Bean has a new owner. I walked into check the restorage. Guy working the coffee used to work at coffee shop in town. New owner is building shop to functioning bike shop. For locals the shop has to establish relationships. I have been hanging at Absolute across the street.

I have 2 new crowns as of last Tues. Crowns made in house as trade work, not craftsmanship. No longer making an impression then lost wax casting. Today it’s digital creation then sent to a mill that shapes from a blank.

Sat night I checked out desert at MP4 road seeing that the tread was hard packed, suitable for driving out to favored spot. Iam was there sighting in his bow which seems to be a machine with its leverage wheels and sighting. Sheesh, next thing motors will be propel mountain bikes.

Sun Doug and I gave a go out at Western Gateway trails. We started on Roundabout where shaded segments held ice and old snow. Girdner also had exciting patches, no movement to leave XZY locus. Nice day. Our familiarity of trails avoided the likes of Girdner above the creek.We did cross Dry creek on rocks above the low flow of the creek. We encountered very few others during out 2 hr 4 min pedal covering 12.85 miles climbing 1273′. Punched thru 2 hour barrier. Doug is 55, I am 73. Just the facts of age.

This morning I drove up to Flagstaff for DR visits. Flag is at 7,000′ elevation, Sedona is 4,500′. Flag gets snow that stays. White dirt. Snow showers are forecasted here that freak me out to drive on snow. May I get out of here before pavement turns white.

Why I stay in Sedona.

Over.