Tucson

Yep, another selfie in a MTB helmet. Get used to it.

After Sedona, I went to pick up the camper in Scottsdale, where it was stored for the winter. I was super nervous about what I might find. Did pack rats eat all my wires? Did a giant saguaro fall on the roof? Were the tires flat?

Nope, nope, and nope. It was just the way I left it in December. I even managed to rewire the batteries/solar, hook up the hitch & sway bars, de-winterize the tanks, and tow the damned thing out of the storage lot. That was empowering. After living my whole life being told I wasn't capable, or good enough, or ever doing anything right (by the people whom I loved the most) any time I manage to do something that I think is beyond my capabilities, I get a rush of joy and empowerment. That's a big part of this trip.

OK, enough serious stuff.

I've been in Tucson since 12 March. The RPod needed some service done, so I dropped it off for 4 days at Blue Compass RV and went to an Airbnb I was sharing with a friend who was, conveniently, in Tucson for the month. He had never tried mountain biking, but was a life-long roadie, so he rented a bike and I brought him to Fantasy Island. He was game to let me try out some of my coaching techniques, and whether he was just a natural or my coaching is that good, he fell in love with mountain biking. So much so, that we went to Copper Spoke Cycles the next day and he bought himself a sweet new ride. Another singletrack addict is born!

Yes, Mike is wearing a rearview mirror on his helmet. Don't blame him - he was a roadie until I brought him to the dark side.

We also ventured down to the high desert to hike a section of the Arizona Trail and drink some wine. I love seeing people's reactions the first time they go to the high desert of Southern Arizona. Mike was in awe.

The views here don't suck.

Once I recovered from the sticker shock at how much it cost for the maintenance on the RPod, I headed over to Kate & Kerri's, where they were kind enough to let me "drivewaydock" (like boondocking, but in someone's driveway). I know Kate & Kerri from my days at Ft. Huachuca, and always plan an extended visit whenever I'm in AZ. They also are the humans to my favorite doggos in Arizona - Bisbee and Callie.

Drivewaydocking

Bisbee on my lap, Callie on the right.

We caught up, danced with the dogs, explored the 4th Ave happy hour scene, and ate & drank too much. Pretty standard visit with these two!

Kate on the left, Kerri on the right.

Dancing with dogs. Probably to Beyonce.

I also took an overnight trip to meet up with a friend up at the site of the 24 Hours in Old Pueblo MTB race. The race itself happened in February, but the trails and dispersed camping are there year round. We had a great sunset ride - complete with a rainbow - the day I arrived, followed by a campfire and moose tacos.

These are some wicked fast, flowy trails. So much fun.

Who doesn’t love a good rainbow?

As we were enjoying dinner and a campfire, something in the sky caught our eye. It looked like a rocket. It definitely wasn't a plane. We couldn't decide if we were under attack from some weird aliens, or a plane was on fire, or what. Google was no help. We learned the next day it was just a launch of some SpaceX satellites. Pretty cool that we got to see it without even trying.

We had planned to go for a long ride the next day, but just a mile into the ride, we encountered the biggest effing rattlesnake ever to roam the deserts of Arizona. Seriously. This thing was HUGE. And pissed. Really really pissed. That was it for me. There's no way I could have enjoyed the rest of the ride, on high alert that Mr. Pissed Off Rattlesnake's bigger brother was waiting to launch at me around the next corner.

Mr. Pissed Off Rattlesnake ready to strike

I also spent too many days renovating the RPod, but that's for another post. I'm currently down in Sonoita, heading momentarily to Patagonia (Arizona, not South America). It was a wonderful 24 hours here, where it is sweatshirt & jeans kind of chilly, and windy as hell. I had the pleasure of camping at a friend's vineyard, where the dogs and I slept so soundly and woke up to an amazing sunrise and walk around the property. If you ever make it to Arizona wine country, make sure you stop at Callaghan Vineyards - their wine is amazing and the views are insane.

Camping with a view at Callaghan Vineyards.

This time has been a nice re-entry into nomad life - going to places that are familiar and comfortable, and visiting with good friends. The next two days will be more of that, and then I'm off to new things and more singletrack.