Not anything to hard, but after my long haul yesterday
I was sore. Saturday I missed my camp site and fell into we want your money hole.
I feel like I am in a war game or something planning back up LZs as I go. Pouring over maps and plotting strategic stratagies on my plight.
Packed in 4000 feet were a dozen roads of every variety. Roads that went through the river, roads with cattle guards, keep out roads posted the intent, marked forest roads, and a couple of makeshift atv trails telling from the size of the tire tracks. All stuffed in a canyon I was not going to scale. Of course the indians did to make a home so the scenic board told me so. Of course it was stealth to me. Wonder how that worked for them?
So still gliding along as the canyon trades light for day. I knew the time I needed lights as any human can achieve for the next billion if so desired.. A quick check dang will I get out of this long valley. Mad that the alternate LZ was now in place and Escalante city was fast approaching with its radius of land owners trying to stop the onset of free land. As if they crafted the land itself.
Another Utah town on a hill. I guess they use the level land to harvest fields of human gain.
I missed the grocery store by twenty minutes, and my search missed the gas station on the edge of town (out of town).
I was now resting as a testament to the miles I just logged in. I had a bathroom, tables, and power.
It had been long time where I could get a strong signal and a human voices to measure and calculate speech.
After planning the next phase. With what little I had with me badly in need of a re supply.
I had the double whammy. Sunday the town shuts down. So even if I waited it still would not open. I arrived in Escalante at 2130. After a 3 hour rest I was satisfied that I could take the task.
Jan at the Escalante Visitor center got me my permits which I never was able to use err find.
She described the route really well and helped with the secondary LZ.
The moon lit landscape gray and mysterious drove me home. Another long canyon.
At least I couldn't get lost. I mostly walked as it was up hill I started around one and finished up at 500 just as the sun was awaking.
I found a shady place near the Ponderosa river and quickly fell into slumber. The whole way I was afraid to sit down for fear of falling asleep. I used my alarm when I did. I saw a few shooting stars while keeping myself from sitting into slumber. In the bathing light hues of the near full moon and a sun swing into position.
I was on drugs trying to set the tent up. No it was the lack of sleep. I could not concentrate like a child I got mad and over acted to things which took way too long.
I slept for 4 hours as the sun kindly reminded not to turn her back on her. The nats and flies abound my tent turned into a enclosed hot house. Engineering the flaps in a designed fashion. I tried to lure the wind to no avail. I asked and latter that day I did get my wind. I settled with the sleep I got and headed to the cool river. Numbing in fact. Exactly like night and day. I found a couple deep pools and plunged in. Taking about team minutes for the sun to burn through. Once departed I knew I had not planned for enough time on this trail at best 10 miles a day maybe 15 I was not going to test my theory.
I was off hells backbone to take a simpler and shorter route. By now most of the traffic is using the Interstate as this goes next to nowhere and then stops at some towns once used for the olden times.
Heading back down as I needed to clear the private ranches to get to the free land. The daylight made the Journey much easier. I was soon back in Escalante navigating the 300 east and 165 north corners. Now in the middle of the day little sleep I choose to use some man made shade. As if a winter storm was approaching. Not wanting to bear the full force I waited till 400. Found the out of town gas food and started climbing.
I got my tail wind and slogged on with out my insects.
A short 15 miles lead me to a gouging Escalante river within an expansive valley overlook. Yes I saw all the climbing at wished for more downhill than I already had.
With few cars life was easy.
I made it to the Escalante River and took a hike in it. The cool water rushed through my aching feet. Nearing Calf creek now my camp site one I would gladly pay 7 dollars not to have to climb my awaiting departure from the valley. Unlike most places these were secluded and full. I had to walked my bike through the calf to find that out. I settled for an overflow spot. I bought some milk now warm from the roasting heat. I placed the contents in the creek and waited for my treat.
I was motivated after sitting around waiting for my tires. I was pumped the 90 at 6000 didn't bother me to much on Saturday . Leaving at 1230 sure did. After a nice hill, I sat under a store sign to plan my next set of maneuvers. A perfect red picnic table with flaking paint greeted me. My bike is usually never more than a glance away.
Not that I need to head the warnings of former cities. Who's going to take that loaded rig.
I was in tropic and the Bank sign flashed the tempature and time 93 and 1445 as if I need that reminder. Something I admired in my town. We don't allow big annoying signs. Even if it was for their school.
I still had two more towns and I was not leaving the valley anytime soon.
The second town's only claim to fame was a motel and the Visitor center
Which looked brand new and expensive. I wondered why they installed a second drinking fountain as I poured the remains of my tepid water into the second fountain which then dumped the contents on to the cement as it drained. Like putting a car with out wheels or an engine.
This place reminded me of a lodge. I could curl up to the fire place, charge my phone and read my book.
They had a huge scale of the Blm land and the contours of the land. Unlike the north rim visitor center I couldn't caress my climbing.
Do not touch.
I still need my third town. Like the last grape on the vine far removed from the action. They boasted a post office in case you didn't get rid of your baggage before.
The ghost straddles the fence post eagerly awaiting to consume. As I found shade by an adolescent popular tree.
I finally made it to the BLM land they lady told me about. Biting flies and nats. I stepped into a world of attention. As if they never seen a human outside a steel cage. By now several hours in the hot sun (3) I needed shade, however there is none. The sun to high to cast shadowy fingers from the canyon walls. Shrubs to small to even pose a fetal position. I needed to climb and I did. I spotted mu first of 3 6 foot pines ponderosa I believe small enough never any thing that would provoke fear by looking into the heavens.
I smeared on my repellent as though it was a paste rather than lotion. It didn't work. I tried hopelessly to apply more. They evolved stumping my best efforts with hordes of flying objects.
Now I couldn't even rest. I would manage to capture my breath with my still overheated body and racing pulse. Like a coach pushing me on. I going to explode.
I was trying to climb at 6 mph with the migrant hordes. Of course resting with them.
The canyon grew narrow and steep on the incline at one point I retired to walking the last 1000 foot hill the hordes seem to come and go. Now yelling into nature as I was molested and groped by biting flies and nats.
The lady saying wait till sundown. Great only another hour or two. I managed to summit and take in Powells peak very quickly.
Now I had the upper hand on the descent. Smiling as the bugs met my eyeglasses with a collective ending sound. I smiled justice.
Right to the cause sunset and the bugs departure. Only to arrive in the next heat wave.
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