Moab

(editing on the phone doesn't work so well)

Desperate for reading matter, I joined the streaming hordes on highway 191. Speed limit is 65 with most doing 70. Phoebe's comfortable top speed is 62, but with everyone equally desperate, one takes one's life in hand when people are forced to pass. So we streamed along.

The Friends of the Library occupies the lobby area; the collection is superbly curated, organized and hardbacks are $1.00. Special books are $3.00 - $5.00 and it's self-pay so even the indigent, if they were willing to compromise their integrity, could partake.

Afterward, I visited Moonflower co-op where a small roll of paté, several cheeses and some breads cost a little over $77.00. It wasn't until I was settled in for the night I noticed the sourdough was $12.85.

Having recently read Michael Pollan's, Cooked, in which he waxes eloquent about the alchemy of bread-baking and the good-for-what-ails-yuh elements in sourdough, I just tossed it in the basket.

While reading his book I looked up a couple of the bread companies who cater to those in need. Prices were fairly consistent at around $35.00 for two loaves, not including postage...which, for Albuquerque brought the total to over 75.00.

I never expected to find such quality on "the street." But after tasting it, I stand corrected, Moonflower is NOT "the street."

MOAB - It Ain't Whut hit Ustuh Be

 This just in...

Arches National Park has, this morning, already reached capacity. I came back at noon and it was still completely full....no admittance until someone leaves. 

I went south to Hole In the Wall Rest Area.  Between Arches and Hole in the Wall there were four accidents; two were bad. 

Coming back from Hole In The Wall I pulled over in Moab to FaceTime with Martha.  While we were talking I saw two more (accidents).  About 30 minutes later a helicopter landed by the first.

There's a lot of construction and traffic is slow. Unfortunately, peoples' response is to drive more aggressively...passing illegally, following too close, honking their horns.  In addition, there are a lot of ATVs and dirt bikes.   

In an effort to ameliorate, the powers that be are diverting people from Arches to Canyonlands. I'M  going back to my camp. It's time for some serious map perusal and an escape route.

Then there's this...

City council tries to hammer out a noise ordinance local businesses can accept

Anastasia Hufham, Moab Sun News Apr 15, 2021 Updated Apr 15, 2021

And finally....

https://www.sltrib.com/news/2020/11/01/womans-decapitation/

Brint Brown's TR3

I'm continually amazed by the timing. I'd spent the day exploring dirt tracks off highway 128 and had just returned from the one that begins at The Dewey Bridge. I was swigging water and contemplating my next move when a TR3 turned into the parking area. I nearly choked!! 

I'd owned one in my youth and that experience plus a later one with a Triumph Bonneville 650 motorcycle had inspired awe for anyone that ventured more than a few blocks from their mechanic. And here, at The Bridge, it's 25 MILES to Moab! 

Brint Brown became enamored of British cars in his teens and has (and still does) owned several including 40 years with the gleaming specimen shown above. He bought it from a friend whose parents used to drive it, on weekends, from Salt Lake City to Elko, Nevada (naivete/chutzpah?!!).

He also told the tale of the bridge. When you're there you'll notice there's no deck...just cables dangling like a bunch of dead daddy-longlegs. Brint said a local philanthropist paid for the bridge's restoration and it was, for years, enjoyed by hikers and sight-seers from near and far. Then, in 2008, an unsupervised 6-year-old set fire to the bosque. When the fire reached the bridge, the deck, which was wood, went up in smoke...leaving nought, as you'll see, but the cables.

When Brint heard I needed water he invited me to his shop where I got to see his other vehicles: a 1973 Land Rover that looked as if it'd just come in from an episode of Marlin Perkins' Wild Kingdom 

and a 1968 VW camper bus with its original wood paneling still gleaming under a fine coat of dust. He also has a '60s model Baja Bug with the full sunroof that extends back to the rear seats. All were in road-ready condition and only in need of fuel and a battery to be on their way.

He said he'd started at the Porsche dealership after high-school and had been factory trained. He owned his own business for many years and since retiring does some work now and then for friends. But he said he'd be happy to recommend someone if you're in need. His shop, Sandstone Garage, is at 1238 S. Hwy 191, Moab. Phone: 801-259-8516.