Thursday 26 August 2010

I Feel Like I am Being Watched....

For about 18 months, I used to work in Moscow for the Russian Government. I flew there on a Monday and came back on a Friday, every other week. I was working on the Governments preparations for the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi 2014.

While I was there, every now and again, I felt I was being watched and my phone was almost certainly being bugged. But you just accept that these things happen there and you just get on with it.

But, I had the feeling a couple of times yesterday that I was being watched again, over here. In the US. I can tell you, it felt very strange.

Yesterday I left Bear Lake in Idaho and immediately crossed the border into Utah, the 22nd state I have been in on this tour....




















When I stopped to take the photo above, I had that feeling I was being watch. I looked around and this is what I saw....




















Someone was watching.

I stopped a little further on and again I had that same feeling. I looked around. I was being watched!....




















I put my fears behind me and rode on.

I hadn’t expected to be riding through a forest in Utah but I found myself in the Cache National Forest. There were rolling hills, good views and at one point, I was 8998 feet above sea level....



















































































There were not many people around. I went passed a few guys working on the utilities alongside the road and even they stopped what they were doing and waved as I rode by. I did see cows and even a horse on the road – clearly folk around here need to take classes in fence maintenance!

I did spot something I have never seen before and to most of my readers this will probably be boring, but I have never before seen electricity pylons where the structures are made of wood....




















I am holed up in Salt Lake City today, while my bike is being serviced. I cannot believe I have ridden 5000 miles since it was last serviced in Chicago!

10 comments:

Geoff James said...

Gary,

Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you :-)

FLHX_Dave said...

I hate to tell you this Gary, but alot of people have been watching you...Even I have been watching you.

Hey, say hi to my family while you are out there. I was just there where you are at two weeks ago. If you have time there is an awesome road that takes you up to "Mirror Lake" just outside of Heber, which is 30 minutes away from SLC. You will also get to check out Bald Mountain. It was awesome! Some of the roads around there are the best in the nation as far as I am concerned.

Chessie (Chesshirecat) said...

Hey Gary,
I am glad you're getting over the heby gebies regarding "The Watcher" feelings. Although sometimes...having those feelings in the natural and wild state of our country taint a bad thing. Bears and other critters ya know.

Smiles for ya Gary...Have a really good down time in Salt Lake City...

Oz said...

It is difficult these days to go somewhere and not have someone "watching" you. Cyber space is something else.
Enjoy the lightly traveled roads.

Gary France said...

Geoff - Paranoid? Who me? Or my pillion that is always looking over my shoulder?

Dave - Thanks, I just looked on my maps and have changed my route tomorrow to take in Utah 150 to Mirror Lake and Bald Mountain! I will wave at your folks as I ride by....

Chessie – I found myself having those feelings about bears just a few days ago. It struck me just how vulnerable a person could be, standing there at 6am taking photos next to a lake edge!

Oz – Especially if you write a blog about it! But to really feel watched by the authorities, come to London – there are cameras everywhere!

Eve said...

I'm just glad it wasn't the bears watching you!
We're all watching you now! Enjoy life. Hope the Leading Ladies is all freshened up and ready to roll!
Ride Safe!

Canajun said...

Wouldn't worry too much about the bears - they've never acquired a taste for English food.

Canajun said...

By the way, I love your new banner photo. Great shot!

biker baby said...

You have been experiencing allot of firsts on this trip…where have you been living…in a closet…you need to get out more.

Just kidding…that’s what I tell my grandkids when I introduce them to something unusual and they act like…wow.

Gary France said...

Eve – I suspect the bears might have been watching.... The LL were happy with a service and a cleaning!

Canajun – LOL. Thanks about the banner. That’s one of the good things about the US – there are so many wonderful things to photograph and use as banner photos, providing they are long and narrow!

biker baby – LOL, I will try to get out more!