Thursday, May 9
This morning the crew and I set out on a two-fold mission: to find a strong internet signal so I can blog and to eat some blue corn pancakes. Well, I get to eat the pancakes. Bridget and Spike get to stay in the Perfect Tow Vehicle and pretend they’re normal dogs.
It’s almost nine o’clock as we motor down the road to Bluff.
The Comb Ridge Cafe appears on the left.
Mr. Coffee greets us at the parking lot.
The atmosphere is comfortable and inviting.
Art and jewelry are displayed.
The waiter immediately appears.
“Good morning! I was told I had to try your blue corn pancakes. I’ve already had my coffee, so I’ll have the pancakes with a glass of water please.”
Hardly any wait at all and I’m pouring maple syrup over buttered blue pancakes. Delicious!
Next I search for signal so I can blog.
I drive through Bluff and up and down the highway, stopping whenever a strong signal appears on my air card. I attempt to load some photos and the signal fades. I drive somewhere else. Rinse and repeat.
Back at Sand Island, I park the PTV so the crew and I can take a river walk.
Bridget and Spike are happy to explore new ground.
“Oh no, Spike. You’re not going to get into that mud.”
Spike eyes a nearby mud puddle.
We wander around the day use area.
The San Juan River loves to meander.
Ever-vigilant Spike warns a lone bovine to stay on the other side of the San Juan.
Spike: “I can’t let down my guard for one minute!”
People load rafts at the boat launch site in preparation for a 7-day float.
The sky darkens. It looks like rain downstream for these floaters.
“Okay, guys. Let’s go back home.”
On the way out of the boat area we come to the trash and recycling bins.
I park the PTV and take care of that task. I’m feeling very good about life in general when I go to open the driver’s door to get back in the PTV.
“Oh, NO!” The doors are locked (why and how, I don’t know) and the keys are inside! In fact the back-up keys are inside. And also, just for good measure, the Good Sam Emergency Road Service card is inside.
Bridget and Spike commence barking. Gee, I couldn’t have planned it worse if I tried. Now what do I do?
Not far from where we’re parked is the Ranger Office.
I walk over there, explain the situation to Ranger Brit, and he comes out to the PTV with me. Just then a pick-up pulls up. It’s Jim from San Juan Shuttles, a float-trip company.
And what does Jim have in his pick-up truck?
If you don’t believe this, I don’t blame you, because I found it hard to believe myself, and I was there!. Ranger Brit sticks his head in the window of Jim’s pick-up and explains my predicament. Jim steps out of his truck carrying a kit for opening up locked doors!
“You’re kidding me!” I exclaim. “You can break into my van?”
“Sure,” Jim replies. “With our shuttle service we sometimes get mixed up with keys for our vehicles, so I always carry this in my truck.”
In a few minutes I’m in the driver’s seat, starting up the PTV.
If you’re ever in Bluff, Utah, and want to float down the San Juan River, do me a favor and contact Jim and his wife, Pam, of San Juan Shuttles. They’re good people and apparently they believe in being prepared!
rvsue
rvsue and her canine crew 