Monday 3/20
Woke early, had my coffee and hit the road. Congratulating myself on the early start but it seems busy. Found a nice market with a bike shop that had showers right next to it. WTF this town is early birdsville.
The bike shop, other than the shower, doesn’t have what I want so off I go to Center Street. Find the other bike shop but on the way find the INFO Center and finally get the post cards!! This bike shop has what I want (bar ends to sit straighter) $84.00. No not a pr. A bar end. The local bike hippy/salesman cruises over. “Sir”, shit, not Sir. Anything but Sir, it’s like he’s talking to a cop. But the next thing he said was ” I have some used ones in the back” I say ” no shit” with enthusiasm trying to show I’m hip or is it hep? Off he goes, comes back with a used set and they are exactly what I want. “How much?” No power, had to go find the owner. $8.00, ya baby! That is a pair!
Now one more mission to write the postcards AND get them mailed. Standing in line at the post office I look at their clock, whaaat, it says 9:00 my clocks say 8:00! I picked up a little voodoo out in the Hoodoos.
I went past the entrance to Arches NP on my way to town so backtracked and spent the day in the park. It’s nice! No, I mean NICE! And there were 5000 other people who’ll agree. I made a practice of saying “something” to everyone I pasted on the trails. When you pass a group of 6 or 7 it can be interesting. Head nods don’t work. It got to be fun after awhile. 95% of the people gave a greeting back and smiled. Old men and younger teenagers not so much. Now, I not saying this is TYPICAL but, there are a lot of middle aged gentlemen out here with REI sun hats, sunglasses that wrap completely around your eye, light colored turtleneck, convertible pants and heavy hiking boots, oh,oh and trekking poles, that’s plural, oh and some have those neck gaiters too. It’s been low 70’s and overcast. Of course, I’m sure, my attire could of been a topic of conversation during someone’s lunch.
I could of shot triple the pictures. Everywhere you turn or walk there is something really cool to see! I got a couple of nice walks. Been wearing my Teva and for this kinda stuff, nice.
IF you are willing to put in the least little bit of extra effort on these trips you are rewarded by leaving 98% of the people behind. But you gotta tolerate the herd. Great time!
Got a late start looking for a place for the night and decided my best chance was UT128…fat chance. 28 miles down the road past 8-10 campgrounds FULL. Ah patiences, Onion Creek coming up, off the road a mile or two, that’s a good sign(extra effort). One bloody spot left! Ya baby. And it is BLM so my senior card is good for 50% off. Paid for two nights $15.00 total.
Onion Creek road looks like it goes back a ways. I plan on taking a bike ride (long). Hamburgers tonight Harper! Good night!
Miles: not very many
HWY: US191 / UT128
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