I love when an unmarked road goes right where you want it to. Even though it shows up on the satellite image however does not show up on google maps. Sometimes that is just part of the adventure. I did loose a little faith from my group. Not everyone is as adventurous as I am. Some people are more like hobbits:
“I am looking for someone to share in an adventure that I am arranging, and it's very difficult to find anyone.' I should think so — in these parts! We are plain quiet folk and have no use for adventures. Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things! Make you late for dinner!” ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit
It all worked out. I suppose that is the disadvantage to tribal touring. The advantage is good company and safer touring, providing you are not with the ax murderer.
When touring to Burraston Ponds make sure you bring lots of water. There is no running water there. The ponds feed through underground water sources and people swim in the ponds. A good water filter works just fine. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited and the camping is free.
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Surrounded by snow-peaked mountains Utah's wetlands are a sight to see with it's vast waterfowl species, minks, squirrels, wild ferrets, jumping fish and other treasures of the animal kingdom. Not to far from the city of Provo and in fact in Provo airport's back yard. Shutterbugs sometimes line up for a shot of the beautiful sunsets bouncing off of Utah Lake. Unmarked roads still keep the traffic to a minimum however an occasional car trickles through at a stop and go 5 mile an hour pace to enjoy the beauty which makes it extremely safe for bicycle touring.
With the highs approaching the 50 degree F (10 degree C) mark it is time to start getting serious about the 2014 bicycle touring calender. I am about to be reunited with a great riding companion, my son Tanner who has been on a 2 year mission in Pennsylvania. No time will be wasted, we head for California the day after he arrives home for a bicycle tour of Catalina Island. This April trip promises the sightings of the great American buffalo (Bison) and whale spouts from beautiful vistas and also enjoying some long time coming conversation wile gazing upon the other island scenery. I could taste the Island as I viewed it from afar during and tour not long ago. I have been itching to go ever sense then. You can see it here behind this rock:
Winter tours have been few and short, however the wild life has been abundant with the exception of homosapiens. Mule deer and wild turkeys seem to be a little less spooky in the winter months.
I will have a few local short tours before the Catalina Island trip with a new and youthful group of aspiring bicycle tourists. This is a chance for me to try out some new panniers and a new tent. I put some extra hours of work in this winter and went out and spent a little bit of my spoils. I can be quite frugal. I only spent $50 on some new panniers, $30 on a new tent, and $13 on some new lighting with a bracket ( I am very exited about this. 1600 lumen). I am anxious to see how it all performs and at sometime I may write a review of it all. My old equipment from the 1980s has a lot of memories tied to it and I will probably revert back to it on occasion and even loan it to an interested party. It is still in good shape and the tent is bigger and folds up smaller than the new one. As you can see I am already evaluating and comparing it all.
Happy trails in 2014:
Sign, sign, everywhere a sign!
Watch out for goat heads!
Some of my new touring friends. We made atlatls over the camp fire and we will be touring in a few weeks.
