email to family May 14 2019 2pm
Thanks for driving me to Mt Home two Saturdays ago now. I went to the
library there and searched for info on that turning issue I had, and
thought I had found a matching issue that can happen after the belts
are changed - having to do with how hard a bolt on the Generator is
tightened which can cause the belt cover to bind onto the hose coming
from the steering pump. Went back to the shop (without even taking a
look under the hood,) but they pointed out that the belt covers were
not installed (I assume they had been missing.) They said the Steering
Rack needs replacing - a $1000 part. I think I'd been told that
before, and put it off due to the cost - it affects "play" in the
steering and the wheels can't be properly aligned, causing more wear
on the tires. At any rate, I left things as-is, for now.
I ended up staying in the area overnight, after making a bit of a loop
drive past Anderson Dam and the east side of the reservoir then
looping back past the large scenic meadow with mountain backdrop that
blooms with Camas flowers each spring, but it was still a bit early -
last time I was there it was solid snow, now it was watery meadows
with a few sparse blooms. I continued south around Bennett Mt
overnighting on the northern flank. The next morning I backtracked a
bit to a meadow blooming yellow. Buttercups. Continued to the ICT
trail junction that I was heading to from the other end when my timing
belt broke. Hiked that section of trail down to where I had lost the
trail getting diverted instead into an interesting craggy canyon that
turned out to be worth the diversion.
So those last two days I was getting increasingly miserable coughing
uncontrollably nearly constantly, each cough hitting my sore brain
with a blood pressure pulse causing splitting pain. I probably had a
fever, and still a dripping sinus and runny nose. My hike was very
slow with lots of sleep-breaks, and after the hike I pretty much found
the first possible secluded parking spot mid-afternoon and slept
through the whole night (except to frequently cough, drink water and
pee.) This turned out to be my pattern for the rest of the week,
getting totally exhausted with the cough taking over by mid-afternoon.
Forgot the exact details right now, but I guess I spent the next few
days in the Boise area - unable to use the library due to my
disruptive coughing, and being told at my former Lucky Peak dam
overnight spot that it was a day-use only area, so I guess I camped in
the Arthur St backyard with the dog that whole time.) OK so I guess I
did take that one hike up the cliff above the dam discharge area (also
an exhausting experience constantly coughing, but at least only the
cows could hear.) Oh yes, there was my Dr's appointment that
Wednesday, disappointing in that they seemed unimpressed with my
cough, or else I downplayed it too much, they said not to worry about
it unless it lasted more than 11 days - it definitely is that now.
They gave me some cortisone nose spray, I've been taking that til
yesterday when I starting thinking my bleeding nose was caused by
that. I Intend to call them today to see if I shouldn't have an
antibiotic.
On Thursday night I headed for Burns, overnighting at the Ontario
highway rest stop, then Friday getting some maps at the BLM and FS Vis
Ctrs, then again early afternoon sleeping all night at a rest area at
the Sage Hen Rest Stop west of Burns. Saturday I attended the Bumble
Bee Session, running out the room several times to have coughing fits,
then on the field trip ending up sitting on the log half way thru,
though I did manage to catch a few native bees - no BumbleBees were
found. Overnighted again early afternoon at a rest area just east of
Burns.
Sunday I decided to drive a long loop around Steens Mt - first stopped
at the Malheur Area, also the Lava Craters area, then the long loop
around. I had been told at BLM that a portion of the loop might open
next Wednesday (tomorrow) so I knew it would be just a long drive,
drove my car down onto the alkali flats just for kicks, but didn't
join some of the other vehicles speeding on the flat. Overnighted
just north of Jordan Valley on the turnoff to Leslie Gulch. Drove the
Leslie Gulch route the next day, got a workout getting out of the car
for picts, still coughing like crazy, then took the side route through
the Succor Creek Canyon north and then west to Owyhee Dam,
overnighting just below the dam. This morning I took a $2 shower at
McCormack Campground above the dam, and wove my way across the Snake
and Boise R to the Parma Library where I'm processing pictures now.
I'm still hoping to call the VA about my cough, think I'll do that now
and save more I wanted to talk about for another msg.
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