April 11th, Thursday 10:20 a.m Ouachita National Forest, arkansas.
I learn this later in the trip, but makes sense to copy paste here.
Ouachita is pronounced like wah-chuh-taw
No cell signal at camp.
The Sun is out! It was a bit of a Deluge last night. I have lots of slightly wet stuff hanging out this morning. Things got damp just from walking around setting up camp last night, and the previous night it had rained and I put the GFC tent away wet. I should have remembered to park somewhere in the Sun for a half hour and opened it up to dry out. Dardanelle had nicer laundromats, if I’d gone there I’d probably have felt better about popping up the tent to air out. The laundromat in Russellville was a little on the sketchier side, but it did have that dumpster to get rid of garbage. Pro’s and Cons!
The russellvill laundromat didn’t feel unsafe, but I wouldn’t want to give people the tempation either.
When I do air out the tent, the gzilla poles for the tent doors really help it air out and dry faster. I don’t even bother with both poles per door. just 1 on each door to get air moving through.
Anyway this morning I have clothes drying out in the Sun & Wind. I slept warm last night. No worries, I was toasty and comfy. I just want to get everything dry now that the rain has passed.
Awhile ago, I’d bought a 6-pack set of Rope Rollers from Rollercam. the kit came with some string for 1 pair. I’ve been using that line for new guylines on my Thule awning. Loving them so far.
Being able to sew, I’ve also bought their 10pack of rollercam buckles too. Been making my own 1”wide, custom length straps for awhile now. I think I may even be on my second 10 pack. rollercam.com
Anyway, with their Roperoller, if I remember correctly, it works with 3mm diameter line. It’s been so easy to adjust and re-tighten the guy-lines when I shorten one of the awning poles so rain can run off. You literally just have to pull on the line to tighten it. No knots, no nothing
This morning I added a pair of RopeRollers to some 3/16 line I keep in the truck for clothesline. it just barely fit through, but it’s working well for that too. having the telescoping ladder to get up into the GFC is helpful for getting the clothesline hung up higher on a tree. Just enough to keep the clothes off the ground anyway.
At the moment I’m having doubts about whether I’ll actually go bikepacking. Am I just tired? Idk. It’s my one fear with the truck. it’s just so tempting to return to home base (aka the truck). The food is better. I can have a shower. It has a more comfortable bed. Writing this down is annoying me though. Maybe confessing my wussiness is the public shaming/motivation I need to get off my butt and just go do it. Not getting any younger…
I think I’ll spend one more night here, go for an afternoon bike ride to shake off the cobwebs. Tomorrow I’ll drive down towards the lake to overnight on the trails down there.
When I get cell signal, I’ll have to google Lake Sylvie, not finding it on my gaiagps maps I downloaded. The bike shop guy said that it’s very popular with bikepackers, more rolling hills, instead of the long climbs you get in the Ozarks.
11:30a.m. update a group of 3 guys my age just biked by, chatting away.
I’ll take it as a sign to get out on the bike this afternoon. The ground in the campsite has dried up as well. Impressive. In the Adirondacks, standing water like this morning tends to stay around a day or two.
When l go for a ride, I’ll see if I can find a cell signal strong enough for this to update.
Also, in the meantime, I have dried red kidney beans soaking in water to make chili tonight via the instant pot. It’ll use up my old onions and green bell peppers. I’ll be adding chili, cumin and cayenne powder to it as well. I have canned diced tomatoes and one can of plain tomato sauce for the base. I’ll try to record it as I make it.
