Fox (unrecognizable--but take my word for it)
Casio QV30 photo
Tom and I saw a gray fox catch and eat his living lunch. The
fox was chasing a small animal as we rode up. At first, he backed away in
response to our presence, but seemed to say, "aw, what the hell--I'm
hungry" and resumed the chase, succeeding in snatching the squirming
animal (species unknown) from its hiding place and ate it in three big swallows.
We saw a Moose warning sign and did see a couple of moose; but
not on the highway.
 BC traffic sign |
 Moose |
As I've noted before, I have this sleep disorder that often leaves
me without much energy. I can deal with it when riding at my own pace, but
when I ride with a group and am expected to be at camp in time for dinner,
I feel compelled to accept a sag ride on occasion. If I was traveling self-supported,
I could take a nap or call it a day, but the best I can do on this ride
is slow down, fall to the back of the pack, and hope that Carol or Tom (riding
sweep) is interested in bird watching or relaxing at rest stops. I must
not have breathed well at all last night because I was really dragging.
Tom and I (the rear guard today) rode the last half together. Nothing against
Tom, but Carol is much more fun to ride with. I suppose it is a male macho
thing of some sort. I feel more compelled to struggle to get in quickly
with Tom than with Carol. I was doing so badly today, that I considered
accepting a sag ride, but my pride wouldn't let me. Instead I struggled
and dragged into camp [I think it was the cookies
that Carol brought me in the sag van about 10 miles out from camp that gave
me the energy to make it into camp].
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We climbed Pink Mountain, a long relatively easy grade, but in
my condition, it was a major chore.
Our campsite was at the bottom of a good downhill, but it was a bit wet and there was construction.
On my arrival at camp, I found Bill setting up my tent for me.
I helped him get it set up, threw some of my gear inside, then collapsed
on the ground and my duffel bag, only to be awakened by flies buzzing all
over my inert body. I was so out of it that I didn't even know Nelson took
my picture.
I didn't miss dinner. Here is the evening dish washing ritual
(3 labeled pans: pre-wash, wash, final rinse).
Again, there was no data access. There was a pay phone, but there wasn't even any power supply to where we were camped. The campsite was located along the river and was quite pleasant.
I loaded the day's photos and programmed this page in my tent in the middle of the night using the PowerBook battery for power.
We rode 68 miles.
 British Columbia Page |
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 Tailwinds Home Page |
© Ed Noonan 1996, 1997