On the way I met another cycle tourist, a fellow named Marcus who had a very nice classic touring rig who said he'd already crossed the country 3 times (in various ways) in prior adventures. This was after noon already and he was preparing to knock out another 70 miles to get up to Lone Pine. Yeesh. Great to meet a fellow cyclist, tho.
Also on the way I notice and stop in at the funky "Jawbone Canyon Store" and pass by a big "Jawbone Canyon Recreation Area". At the hotel I look up Tina's position with GeoPro and see that she is either going to cross "Jawbone Canyon Road" late today or early tomorrow. I knew it was a dirt road and so quickly I call the relevant BLM ranger and ask whether the road is open and could be traversed by conventional 2wd vehicles. Yes it can.
Quickly I scan for local car rentals finding two at the nearby InyoKern Airport. The cheapest is Dollar. I call them and start haggling on price. In that conversation I find out that the guy is physically less than one block from my current location (just outside the entrance to the naval base here) and will cut the price even more to rent direct from there. I go. I get the car. I throw in the GPS, computer, etc. I head out and pick up a bunch of water on the way.
At the Jawbone Canyon Road turnoff (an hour away by car) I finally raise Tina on GeoPro and verify that she can make it to the road crossing. As it turns out the road is just *barely* navigable by 2wd vehicle but two hours later and with GeoPro relay assistance from my Dad I have Tina in the car and we're headed back. We get back, Denny's meal is consumed, and tomorrow is planned to be a Nero with me re-launching her in the early afternoon.
Sweet!
/David