Another rainy day in Brevard

Zags beat Cougs last night, Thanks XM radio for the coverage. I stayed awake till half time. the west coast game times are beyond stay awake time.

Rained quite a bit last night, fortunately I only heard the patter of pure falling drops.

Stopped @ USFS RS information office to educate myself of forest things and received a wonderful exchange w/ Fred who works there as a volunteer. He is a biker and lived near White Clay and Fair Hill that we shared. He is retired. He said that he was busy the first year but needed something to keep him occupied which lead him to volunteer jobs w/ the USFS. last year he and his wife worked Grand Canyon. He was an engineer.

Just so much stuff to learn from when I make the time for exchanges. The rain kept the other visitors away so I pigged out on out sharing.

A full time FS woman entered the conversation and shared her dream of bike riding X the country and was looking for knowledge. She like other people, me still included, have real or imagined road blocks that prevent us from living our dream. May she chase her dream across the country on a bike with the wind at her back and all the hills be down.

Called Tom Z and enjoyed an hour of companionship. Spokane is about to plunge into freezer per forecast. Brevard is above freezing. 2nd day of using no heat.

Ironspoke is following me and adding my adventures to his web site.

Meeting Scott from Indianapolis for ride tomorrow. Paul from Canada picked me up with a coment and will be down here next weekend for a  ride. I might join. Hey, hang in the Pisgah and the world comes to you. I never tried this at say like Moab to learn if the same thing occurs.

As I have grown & expanded on this adventure I have learned that a bigger life exists outside my Sprinter walls. Perhaps I will make another trip around the country to learn more people. Hey, maybe try Mohican in Ohio to see how many people would venture there to join me. OK, Decorah, IA then.

Hey, I want to be a hippie but my hair won’t grow that long.

In Blue Highways Heat-Moon quotes an 83 year old woman on her lessons learned in life: ” Having gumption to live different and the sense to let everyone else live different.”

With that, say good night Ethyl and I am off to FS road 1206 camp for tomorrow’s ride.

Another day in the rain.

Last night I slept under several bare trees, the branches of which accumulated h2o & then dropped onto the roof w/ more force and irregularity than the gentle rain drops. Just accepted the odd beating on the roof. Also, it was the first time in a long time that I did not use the heater during the night.

Today plan was to drive to Hendersonville Sprinter dealer to have the oil changed. The maintenance option I bought analyzes the oil condition and when the oil hits the wall the instrument panel receives count down mileage to burn up. Drove almost 14,000 miles on oil. At $200 for service this option allows changing the oil when the sensors say it is time.

Rained hard all morn till lunch. Could have ridden Dupont as soil drains well but decided to continue resting the ankle. 800 mg 3x day of vitamin I is reducing the pain.

Scott from Indianapolis will be here Friday for rides. I will meet up w/ him. Forecast is for sunny skies, temp of 32 on Fri & below freezing during the night.

The Zags are on XM @ 10:00PM tonight. I need to find things to keep me busy & awake till game time. Clean sheets & body send warm signals for the rack. Which will win? May it be GU against WSU.

Brevard has white squirrels. Really.

Article in today’s paper about a guy who was hiding out from the law in a hidden camp right off one of the popular mtn bike trails nearby. When Johny law busted him they found evidence of booby traps which caused the area to be closed. The USFS plans on a controlled burn to destroy any possible suspected traps. Guy was busted for growing pot.

Fixed dinner in a gravel parking lot X the street from The Hub bike shop. Fixed dinner and surfed internet. I receive XM where I camp. Hendersonville has a Mennonite enclave.

Rest day, a little of this, a little of that

Ankle & foot pain didn’t let me sleep well, partially from pain and apprehension.

Plan for today is seek medical attention to fix the source of pain. Brevard lacked an Urgent Care but S of Asheville has 1. Drove up, short wait time. Interacted w/ dr. Said it is not a blood clot as it lacks the redness, swelling, & hardness. Even if it was a clot it was in the foot and would be considered superficial. He was surprised that the Mansfield doc prescribed the Lovelux as normal treatment would be elevation & warmth. I am on killer vitamin I regimen like 400 mg 3X for a week. And an antacid kicker.

Stopped at a sports medicine clinic to see if a bike fit could be performed. A PT there is an avid biker. Made appointment for tomorrow, now I am wrestling w/ a prescription for the pt.

Shopped new REI in Asheville seeking warmer gloves and a warm feet solution. New store in mega shopping district, no old building make over. Bought warmer gloves &  waterproof socks and handwarmers for my sore foot. Learned some ride ideas back @ Dupont Forest that I might try.

Learned that Asheville is 17 inches of rain behind for the year and this is their 3rd year of drought. I made mention about not being able to ride because of the rain and then I learned of their situation. I want the world and I want it now as Morrison sang in a Doors song. I want sunny skies & dry trails when I am in your home town.

Moonshine I bought is flavored w/ natural & artifical flavors sort of like a liquor: sweet & sticky. Come join me and I will pour you all the shots the bottle has in it.

Wide Stance Larry Craig’s appeal was denied. OJ drew 9 years for his robbery act. GM wants more money from next administration. Merril Lyynch CEO wants 10 mil bonus because company only lost 11.6 bil.  Put these in your time capsule.