Safe Return Doubtful

95 miles (154 km) – Total so far: 1,595 miles (2,566 km)

It was a wise move to take the 30 minute walk into Fruita’s downtown last night. I headed for Sud’s Brewery and went for the Zeppelin IPA, at 7.2%. It was the best beer of the tour so far, and a rarity, a really good burger also.

Something incredibly rare happened this morning. I took breakfast at McDonalds. My excuses; it was very close, this side of the freeway, it had wifi, and there was no other alternative close by.

The first two and a half hours were on I-70. I was not looking forward to this but actually it was good riding. The road was relatively quiet because it was Saturday morning and I had a gentle westerly, but westerly nonetheless, behind me. There were some hills, but the downhills on the wide shoulder were quick. I guess also that I’m still quite new at ‘desert riding’ and the novelty hasn’t warn off.

There is an element of trying to ride quickly also. That is because of the heat later in the day. When the crickets start jumping and chattering it’s getting hot, that will be about 25C, and after that, it’s good to be thinking about finishing.

There’s another 10 miles or so of desert riding after the junction to Cisco, which is a ghost town, but a fairly recent one. Then the ride becomes far more interesting as it joins the Colorado river. It is one of the most scenic rides I’ve ever done, flanked throughout by spectacular red cliffs. Sometimes the canyon is narrow and that’s when it’s at its best.

I knew before that there was no drinking water or any services on this route until after 75 miles. I was carrying just about enough and had it in mind to camp at Onion Creek. Midway through the morning I felt strong and thought perhaps I could get to Moab, another 20 miles or so. There’s nothing at Onion Creek, not really much shade either, and at the time I passed it, it was 33C. Besides, there has been an infestation of Black Widow spiders in the toilets. At Red Cliffs Lodge there is drinking water, and I stopped for 15 minutes and even had ice with it. Great service, though everything was closed while all their guests were rafting or floating down the river. Back out into the heat was tough, but this is the most spectacular part of the canyon, and the hilliest, but it was only 14 miles to Moab.

Moab is a desert town in a heatwave, and I arrived to find a break from the sun. The town is famous for its nearby National Parks, Canyonlands, and The Arches amongst others. It’s a huge outdoor town also, with the river sports, climbing, but probably most popular of all, mountain biking. I should have arrived tomorrow, and have booked a room for two nights, but I am a day ahead, so had no accommodation today. It’s Saturday also. Up The Creek Campground is just for tents, and would have been ideal at $25, but it was full. Canyonlands RV Park have some tent sites reserved for busy times, right at the back of their land. They are without showers or wifi, and they wanted $45 for them. I was always expecting one night like this, and needed to get out the sun, so took the most reasonable motel. It means I can have some quiet beers, a good night of sleep, eat from the grocery store, which is excellent, and not hurry in the morning.

Resting with some tourists keen to take my photo – only 8 miles to go now.

Looking out over the Colorado National Monument as sun rises in Fruita

About to join I-70

Desert riding – still a bit of a novelty, but for how long?

No drinking water for 75 miles – but two kind old ladies took pity on me at this rest area and gave me a bottle, iced even..

Storytime:

Christmas Traditions

Having lunch out was something we did very often when I visited Nigel and his family. Some of the restaurants were Nigel’s clients so he was keen to see how they marketed his wine, and of course we expected some fine treatment. Lunches were usually a lengthy experience, especially when Lily was very young, the trick was that Annabelle would look entertain her, but really Lily was a fine diner, she had plenty of experience of eating out.

For some years we ‘traditionally’ went to PF Changs on Christmas Eve with the family and Jeremy and Gill. As opposed to our usual lunches this was particularly long. The children were warned, and enjoyed the company and pace of the meal also. The restaurant offered a good range of Entrees (or starters) so we would order two or three of these at a time and dip in. Then again, and again.

A couple of other Christmas Eve traditions come to mind. Sandra’s brother Ricky, Nigel and I would need to visit a liquor store. The range of beers was better there. Ricky was there for advice, Nigel for encouragement and as driver. From the liquor store we would move to one of the smarter supermarkets to shop for cheese. I was always told that Christmas Day food, and Boxing Day (for which there would usually be people over visiting) were looked after, I just needed to get cheese. We would enlist the help of the store’s cheese expert, and in this regard we met with mixed success, especially when usually we began with the Monty Python cheese shop questions.
“Venezuelan Beaver Cheese”
“Danish Bimbo”
“Czech Sheep’s Milk”
Far too much would be ordered so that in the last days of my visit it was permanently out on the table.

A further trip to REI was necessary also, very selfishly for me, as Nigel didn’t want to spend any time in there at all. I had a time limit, and a threat that we would have less time in the pub (Baker Street) if I didn’t hurry up. While I shopped he would cause trouble around the store, asking where the camouflage clothing was, and on being told, saying that if you can see it that easily, it’s not very good. The miniature tents for display, he would tell the children they were dog tents. We were in Baker Street in no time it seemed.

Christmas Day would dawn and Santa had visited. I would plunge into my stocking with excitement wondering what had been left, though I could have predicted… It would be a combination of spicy sauces and a pair of underpants, special underpants though, once that REI claimed did not need to be washed for 14 days. Odour free also.

On departure day we would lunch at Pappadeaux’s (seafood) near to the airport. My flight was usually at 4 pm, with check in at 1, and we usually had on,y just sat down at that stage. Nigel and Jeremy flew a lot though, and they knew the workings of George Bush Airport, so though always in a hurry, I was never close to missing the flight, usually time for a beer in ‘departures’ also.