Franklin Dale Tilley

June 23, 2013

Franklin Dale Tilley

A gentleman I actually met yesterday as I checked into where I could rest and start feeling better from the exhaustion and heat.

Ok.

Heat exhaustion.

It was so stinking hot in Panaca and over the two passes/summits to get to Cedar City.

Franklin helped to hold open the doors as I brought all my gear in.

He knew I was quite without and hoped I would get some good rest.

I also met two older ladies who had come up from Phoenix.

They were both happy to be in cooler weather.

I was happy to be in a cool room!

So there.

All silliness aside, the next morning while eating breakfast, I had a most delightful conversation with Franklin.

A wealth of info and knowledge. 

Not just about his profession but topics that were unique and interesting.

He actually invited/asked if I needed to go anywhere and he would drive me.

The offer was so thoughtful.

I was not feeling strong enough to want to do anything.

So after thanking him, and getting his contact info, I went back to bed.

Was what my body needed.

Anyone young who may be reading this - take care of yourself.

Take a rest if you are tired.

And do not think you are Superman or invincible in any way or form.

You are not.

Believe me, your body will thank you, for taking care of it, as God intended.

Back onto the main trail after that little chasing of the rabbit.

It was mid afternoon when there was a knock at the door.

The gentleman from the local bike shop was kind enough to bring me the two new tires.

If someone says this tire or that tire, especially on a bicycle, going cross country, will last so many miles, stick your fingers in your ears and do not believe them.

My rule of thumb.

Cut the distance they say a tire will last by half.

Maybe, and only maybe, if the terrain, the roads, the sidewalks, etc. were completely ideal, then possibly, the bike tires may last longer.

One needs to remember that on a cross country trip, if you are like me, you will be riding on everything from a newly sealed road, to a washboard gravel road to see a falls, two miles off the main road.

Or you may see a little side road that leads to a good sleeping spot.

Sweet!

But it is getting dark and you do not see that you ran over some glass.

The next morning you notice your tire is flat.

Remember.

Half the mileage for which the tire is rated.

I can usually change a tire fairly quickly.

Took me over an hour to change the two front tires on the recumbent.

Was pretty much washed out again.

There was a Subway next door so after it cooled off more I walked across and got a veggie sandwich.

And it all stayed down!

Yeah!

Not much time had passed after eating, I went to bed.

Not sure what was going on, but my internal thermometer must have been overworked the last few days.

Could not decide whether I was suppose to be hot or cold.

The long and short of the night - I woke up pretty much soaked from all the back and forth.

But now that I am awake, and it is a new day, I better start a new post.

To life!

Shalom, 

D.