Bikepacking is the pits
Actually, it’s great, but I love a good pun. Two nights ago, with gale force winds predicted (and after an experience a while back when a wind storm kicked up and I had to take the tent down WHILE I WAS IN IT) I decided to cross an item off the bikepacking bingo card and sleep in a pit (or vault) toilet. It sounds gross, but compared to battling winds, it felt like glamping. No need to worry about hanging food away from critters, a desert rat eating my helmet straps, and best of all, the bathroom is right there!! It didn’t even smell, I swear. Well, except every now and then when the wind blew just right over the vent pipes….but even then, it was pretty tolerable.
The next day I knew I wanted to spend some time in Bryce, so it was a short 10 miles or so into town. I sprang for Ruby’s RV Park and grabbed a slightly pricy tent site, but man…the showers and bathroom were worth it. And they were so warm! I’m sitting outside of Ruby’s Inn General Store longing for that warmth. It is bright and sunny but chilly and windy. I just uploaded a podcast episode, so check that out. I won’t get far today, but hey…I don’t have anywhere to be. Just on my bike. I’m going to revisit Thunder Mountain Trail, which was pretty amazing if I recall. There’s a dispersed camping area where I’ll stash most of my gear and then come back for it rather than carry it the whole way…should be fine, right? Then it is north, and up up up, to the Aquarius Plateau en route to Loa. Should get there by Friday.
Pics are: gear explosion in the pit toilet, bikepacking gourmet meal (dehydrated hummus was a win for sure), scenes from the road, my tent nestled in the windbreak of a low tree/large shrub, and a delicious mango from the couple who pulled into the spot next to me as I was leaving Kanab. So good.
