Day 2 – Mechanical
June 24, 2012
Start: Just south of Canyon Dam
Finish: Just north of Boulton Creek Trading Post
Today’s miles: 33.3
Total miles: 60.5
Splats: 0
Divide crossings: 0
Wildlife: bull moose, back end of a moose or elk
Today, I had my first mechanical failure. Both of the tent poles that I use to help mount extra gear to the unicycle snapped. I was worried they would break, but I thought they’d at least make it a few hundred miles. I only need one of the poles to pitch the tent, so I have them duct-taped together until I can get pieces shipped out to make a new one. I guess I’ll have to take another look at my gear mounting system tomorrow.
This morning, I started off slow, but mostly because I was having a good time! There were a few steeper hills that slowed me, but mostly, it was the wildflowers that had me stopping every 100 yards to snap a picture. There was also an incredible waterfall in a slot canyon that I just had to investigate. The afternoon had me mainly on a packed gravel road, and I was able to make up some mileage. Had my first drive-by photo shoot, too!
Tonight, I’m stealth-camped next to a quiet-ish road. There are tons of moose scat around, and it looks as though I may have pitched my tarp in someone’s bed. I have set up traps to alarm me of intruders.
I had written more about today earlier, but the iPhone didn’t save it… This is my second try, and now my eyes are heavy, so I’m going to have to cut it short. I need to look at my map a little bit, and then I’ll quickly fall asleep. I can’t believe it’s 10:00 p.m. and still light out here!
