Oh dear, what a day. Woke up, tried to go for a bike ride early. I headed out to the trail that was recommended to me by the Canadian guy at Mountain Bike Heaven. It was only 8:30 but it was already too hot to be starting. I tried the trail but I didn't really like it. Also, I was hot and cranky, and in a bit of a dangerous position as my pedals had rusted from being on the roof for so long and I was having a hard time getting out of them. I didn't make it very far before deciding to turn back.
Cory had given me a t-shirt from when he was down here (originally given to an ex-girlfriend who gave it back upon break-up) that was from a bike shop called Bike and Bean. Turned out to be right beside where I parked to go for my ride so I stopped in to get a coffee. I ended up talking to the guy who worked there for a while and he generously fixed my pedals for me, told me about another trail, showed me where a good swimming hole was, and loaned me his park pass for the day.
I went and had some brunch and then to check into the Sedona Healing Center. Well, all I have to say is, it wasn't my thing. The guy who answered the door had hair and beard halfway down his chest. His shirt was full of holes, and he had no teeth, I mean none. This was still all fine, but then he took me to show me the "meditation room" which was complete with copper pyramid to sit in, a prayer corner with every god or idol possible to pray to, crystal bowls, different coloured crystals to get in touch with different chakras, etc. I was starting to think I needed to get out of there pretty fast. The way it had been described to me was that there was a yoga class and stuff, things I was into. Not at all! But, I figured, it was only for one night and at least I'd have a bed to sleep in.
From there I went to check out the swimming hole that Tony, the bike shop guy, had told me about. I almost made it there, down this washboardy dirt road when the thing I had most been fearing happened. Slowly, I saw my bike's handle bars appearing beside me out the window. Luckily I had been on a dirt road in the middle of the desert so I was traveling slow enough that it didn't fly off, and nobody else was around to run over it if it had. I did what I normally do in those situations (like when Omar bit it), I laughed my ass off. I took the bike down off the rack, which was now ruined, and locked it up to a tree that was somewhat hidden. I then went back to the Bike and Bean, hoping that they sold roof racks. They didn't, but Tony took me to get my bike and then called the other shop down the street which did have what I needed. I got the new rack, for a decent price. In the meantime, I was relating to Tony the crazy day I'd been having, including my New Age sleeping arrangements I had lined up. He informed me that the bike shop rents out the apartment above the shop and told me I could stay there for $50. I called the toothless one and told him I wouldn't be joining the cult that evening, went back to the bike shop and started drinking (they have keg for personal consumption).
A few other shop regulars showed up and it turned into a bit of a party. Then we went to the house of one of the guys who worked there and had a bbq. Things were going really well until Tony, my ride, disappeared into the bedroom with one of his chick friends. Suddenly I had no idea where I was, or how I was going to get back to where I needed to be, and not sure if Tony was gone for the rest of the evening. Luckily Jimmy, guy who's house we were at, volunteered to walk me the short distance back, all the while spilling his heart about how he was not happy in his relationship and always wanted to marry a Canadian girl. Obviously his live-in girlfriend had picked up on his thing for me and when we arrived at the bike shop she was sitting there in the car to make sure we made it back okay. It was quite funny really. I said goodbye to them, thanked them for having me over, and Jimmy hugged me and got in the car. They drove a few feet and then I hear "hey wait!" Jimmy got back out of the car to hug me again and then they really left. I felt so bad. He was a really nice guy who obviously thought I was the shit (how couldn't he, really). I'd love to know what he said to his girlfriend to get her to stop the car so he could hug me again. I wonder if that was the official end of the relationship.
As if all of this wasn't weird enough, I get to the apartment and the power is out. Apparently the guy who owns the building had not been very diligent with paying the power bill and they shut the place down. This meant that I was walking around with my head lamp on and that there was no air conditioning. I had been really excited about a comfortable sleep, but with no AC and it being 92 degrees, that was not in the cards.
I had just gone to bed when I heard a knock on the door. I looked out the peep hole, and there was Tony (who lived in the apartment downstairs), looking very sheepish. He apologized for leaving me without a ride, but seemed pretty smitten with the chick so all was well. He also apologized for the lack of electricity and told me to stop by the shop in the morning for a refund.
So that was it for me in Sedona. I had some very interesting and weird experiences there and it was very definitely time to go. I decided that I would head to the Grand Canyon and then detour. I will no longer be going to Utah or Colorado. It's just too hot, sane people don't even travel to this area this time of year. I will visit Utah again sometime for sure, probably in the spring when I can explore the Arches in a comfortable temperature, and get some skiing in. I'm heading back to California to relax in the warm sun and cool ocean breeze. It shall be lovely.
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