Warmer this AM: 36 degrees. Again looked forward to sun cresting the ridge.

Today is another ride from camp up Schultz Creek and then up obscure 2 track / single track at high point. 2 riders caught up to me on Schultz and we ended up visiting long enough to cool down from climb. Older guy was @ Fruita Festival also, his was his 4th. He said never again, its gone downhill from earlier years. I already decided not to return for my own reasons.

Made climb and started on Brookhaven. I was practicing lofting the front wheel over smaller rocks. I lofted over a small one without a strong forward push and the front wheel landed just off edge of trail ramped into a rock that stalled the bike and pitched it out from under me. My left foot disengaged from the eggbeater but the right stayed in. I twisted my right knee. No sharp pain or discomfort and I was able to pedal on it. Shit.

Continued down mtn w/ some nasty ups and finally to Pipeline that would lead me to eay up to Rocky Ridge. Trail was not marked per map. I saw a hiker ahead of me. I caught up to a young woman. She asked me if I knew where we were before I could ask her the same. I had a map, she had drive. I asked her what she is up to and she said she was torn between backpacking around Europe or thru hiking either the AT or PCT. OOOh, and our conversation went on for maybe an hour. I pedaled away with a pleasant buzz.

Rode Rocky Ridge except for what i walked. Contrary to reviews it is a challenging trail. Over shot camp spot of Shultz creek and returned down the road to camp.

Plan is to shower @ aquacenter, grocery shop, drink the Scotch of the month @ Flagstaff Brewery, and buy the Kaibab NF map.

I paid $5.00 for my shower. Outside a small T-storm was flashing nearby lightning. I was buck naked and reaching to turn on the h2o when a voice says showers are closed because of the lightning. Shit, again. Put my clothes back on and walked to desk and asked for a refund. Girl said all she could offer is a day pass. I told her that i would not be around to use it. She said she would check on shower situation. Finally some official says showers are OK. There is an age break @ 55 for $4.00 but the girls saw me as younger than 55.

Downtown Flagstaff is lively. It is the last city b4 Grand Canyon. Made Brewery. Asked for filtered h2o for Scotch but they had just tap w/ chlorine. I was told where I could buy h2o and I took off and returned  for my Scotch which I forgot the name of which I have never seen. Carefully shot glass measured shot in acorn glass. I splashed h20 and savored the nose from the glass. I like Scotch.

And then I left the downtown activity for the quiet of the woods back where I have been staying. This time I left the carpet & chair to stake claim to spot. Both were there and I was still by myself. Evening T-storm w/ a small dose of hail. Forecast calls for low probability of T-storms for 5 days out.

Tomorrow is drive day to South rim of Grand Canyon, maybe spend the night in XG and then on to North rim and Rainbow trail.

I hit my head on cutting board again. Shit, again.

34 degrees when I slipped out from under the double down blanket. Lived w/o heater waiting for sun to clear ridge for warmth.

Today begins the search for missing hat or purchase of new one. Drove back to aquacenter and asked about lost & found, she said yes, I described my hat, she left, and returned with my hat. I figure I left it in shower stall. I spaced on retrieving it from a hook.

Decided to check out the possible hat stores and found myself downtown in old buildings. Checked out several stores and a bike shop. I looked w/ my hands in my pockets. I passed Flagstaff Brewing co on way in right on rt 66. Checked it out @ now lunch time. Its a brew pub and also a Scotch bar. Tender said that they have the 2ndmost choices West of Mississippi. 3 pages of smalll type dinner menu, I saw $67 shots. Wow, what heaven. I only bought a tasty Porter.

I stopped@ Albertsons and saw 2 like mtn bikes w/ BOBs attached which are 1 wheeled trailers to pull behind bike for gear in lieu of panniers. Each displayed a sign, “Biking around the world”. OK. But no riders visible. Didn’t see them in store. Started driving out of parking lot when they arrived @ their bikes. I parked and went over to talk. 2 brothers who started from Seattle area and are enjoying their definition of around. Under diverse and intense questioning one divulged that they just like to ride bikes and adventure and embarked on this trip. Their 3X5 Glossing card says that they are doing it for the orphans of the world. They developed a cause after the ride idea. Tried to compare their purpose w/ mine to no outcome. Saw them later outside the brew pud although not imbibing. Their BOBs are stuffed.

Putzed around & then drove back to Shultz Pass rd where I have been staying. Hardly a rider goes by during day but after work hours a few go by. Afternoon T-storm again that dropped non serious rain.

Outside temp dropped to 32. I slept w/ the down blanket doubled over just about right.

While camped out in desert on Beaverhead flat road I was feasted on by some biting insects that left itchy welts on my lower legs and arms because they were not covered. I even have several on my bald spot when my hat was off. Everyday they receded and itch less. Glad to be up in the colder climes where the mosquitoes have not appeared and perhaps won’t due to scarcity of standing h2o.

Drug my feet waiting for sun to warm things up. Replaced chain @ 360 miles hoping that the cluster gears had not stretched. During the hard steep climbs the chain did not skip, however, there is gear wear, perhaps the chain will wear to the gears before replacing both.. again. I have ridden 3200 miles & spent $4400 on bike stuff, more than a dollar spent per mile ridden. I have a great bike set up that is now a joy to ride.

Rode from camp later in AM. 2 guys caught me. Later we chatted and Matt, the local offered suggestions that modified my ride plan for the better shorter. The terrain reminds me of places in the WA Cascades. Mixed P-pine & Doug fir.

I will probably stay here a few more days here. the riding is good but is like most of the western mtn rides. Hiking trails, twisty, narrow, rocky, etc. I got to thinking about what keeps me in a place after several rides with the anticipation of something different the next ride? Here is a relief from constant tough technical @ Sedona, here I can spin and negotiate rocks where Sedona was mostly all movable rocks all the time. This is a brain vacation.

Misplaced my hat this afternoon. Perplexed as to where I left it, fear aquacenter shower room. Brain fart.

Met John where I am camped. He runs bike tours during the winter in S AZ. He is in the slow season and is camping back out of the way and riding thru the summer heat. Desert Storm disabled vet.

Gracie left a voice message that among other things she fixed the dinner I fixed for her for visiting friends and it was a success. I can fix it in my galley.

Off to other things