An eerie ride

July 7 - today was a long ride - 103 miles.  Started out early and went about 45 miles and a good climb before lunch (and hungry - cause I had only an orange and granola bar for breakfast).  But I had a good lunch to keep me going.

I climbed up and over 3 passes today, again along the continental divide.  One climb had me pedaling as fast as my legs would pedal...at 6 mph...while being passed by riders flying by in the opposite direction.  But I made it...

The third pass I rode was the "Chief Joseph Pass" - about a 45 minute ride through deep woods.  The eerie part..in the whole ride, I never heard one animal or noise..no birds, no squirrels, no wind, no rustling in the woods.   yes, it was quite weird.

I arrived at my destination of Sula, MT...population of 50 on a crowded day!  There is a nice campground here.  Unfortunately for me, the only places around to eat close after lunch.  So, I am in my tent (which is covered by swarms of mosquitos which has been the norm for the last week or two), and I've got my 2 powerades and my bag of doritos and my Baby Ruth bar...can't wait til they open for breakfast in the morning.

The cow is the only thing I saw for miles...out in the middle of nowhere

Starting to see snow on the mountains again

This road looks nice after climbing! 

This is where I came down from

July 6 : 3200 miles pedaled!

I started out this morning knowing the toughest part of the day was the beginning.  A good climb right at the outset.  It took about an hour -- a 10 mile ride that took me up about 2500 ft.   T omorrow's ride will be up and down and up and down...but the sun has been shining and today got up to about 85 degrees.

i rode through Old Gold Rush country today.  A couple of old towns, Virginia City and Nevada City, and then I did pass a gold panning operation..big machinery that they use(d) to mine gold.

I am keeping a good but fairly leisurely pace, so rode today from 9 - 4, with an hour off for a good lunch.  A good day's work I guess.

Tonight I am staying at a nice KOA campground, with a pool that felt really great when I jumped in after the end of my ride today!

My odometer tonight:   3202 miles!   Woo hoo

What lay ahead of me this morning

to my left...

to my right....

Looking back on where I came from today

Old gold panning operation

4th of July celebrations and moving on...Montana!

I left my campsite at Grant Village on the morning of the 4th, and rode up to Old Faithful, and of course stayed to watch the geyser.

Then I headed on out of the park,and made my way to Montana...state #8, and found a great little town named West Yellowstone.  What a nice place for an All-American 4th of July...parade, cookout, an fireworks  (well, fireworks after a hard rainstorm that managed to soak my tent).

I had a nice, almost leisurely, 70 mile ride today to Ennis, MT.  Saw a cool landscape when I passed "Earthquake Lake"..which was a lake formed after a large 7.5 richter scale earthquake here in 1959.  Caused a  mudslide which basically caused a dam which caused the lake. 

But another day of perfect weather and nice pictures to share; and IT'S ALL GOOD IN DELAWARE ... Tuesday!

Old Faithful...before the geyser eruption

Old Faithful Geyser

State #8 on my trek...Montana!

Earthquake Lake

A bit of Buffalo Art!

Yellowstone National Park

July 3 - what a bicycle ride -- Grand Teton to Yellowstone!

I arrived at Yellowstone early this afternoon; it is really not a long ride at all.  I know Isound like a 'broken record', but I can't begin to describe the beauty of this area.  Rode alongside of Jackson Lake, then Lewis Lake.   I am camping tonight at Grant Village Campground inside Yellowstone.  Tomorrow will be a 'rest day' in the sense that I am going to spend it exploring Yellowstone...

Jackson lake and Tetons

New Friends at the Rest Stop

Lewis Canyon

A day to enjoy Grand Tetons (and friendly helpful folks)

First, I must say, people are just so darn friendly and helpful.  First, I got a lift to Jackson from one of the ranger's husband.   Got my bike fixed, then rode/hitchiked/rode part of the way back, til I came across a few guys and one of them kindly gave me a lift back to the Park.

Spent the day hiking and taking pictures, right up until I realized I'd lost my cell phone.  Luckily, the lady who found it called the 'last dialed call', told my buddy Bill she was leaving it at the ranger station.  He called Cathleen, who called Dan, who let me know.  Now, these ranger stations are not 'one on every corner', so a really nice guy named Gregg Trobentar offered to drive me and I quickly recovered my phone.  Then Gregg and I decided to go looking for moose...or whatever other wild animal we could find.

No moose, but plenty of other .. a large herd of elk, deer and a brown bear. 

Lots of picture today...enjoy...and I will be back here again someday without a doubt. 

Grand Teton National Park

Friday, July 1
We left Dubois, Wyoming early this morning, and I was so excited because I knew today would be one of the highlights of my trip.  I was going to Grand Teton National Park.

This was also the first (and I hope only) place along the route where I could not ride my bike, due to major road work.  So, there was a pickup truck at the site of the construction, and bikers just put their bikes inthe back, and the driver just drives you to the end of the construction site.  (maybe a 4 mile ride).  Ohwell, guess no different than taking a ferry across the Ohio River.

Dan had some bike issues and stopped for some repair early in the day, but I came on as I was anxious to get here.  The Tetons are majestic (no other word to describe them).   However, I didn't even realize that this is the holiday weekend - tend to lose track of what day it is.   So of course, this place is packed.  Luckily, a nice couple offered to share the campsite with me...so thankfully I am comfortable here.   Dan arrived late in the day and also was able to find a group that welcomed him to. 

I am having some gear shifting issues on my bike.  An off day was planned for Saturday to enjoy the Park; however, I think I am going to see if I can find a ride to Jackson and find a bike shop to adjust my gears. 


Pictures along the way today were just awesome:

Downtown Dubois, WY...a nice little western town

You never know what wild animals you will meet along the ride!

Tie Hack Memorial...deducted to the "Tie Hacks" - a special breed of logger who cut the ties that were used in the completion of the transcontinental railroad.

Coming up upon the Tetons

Yes, there is still plenty of snow here.  What day is it?? July 1st??

No words to describe this one!

Windy Windy Wyoming

The last couple of days have been so windy that I have, literally, been blown of the road.  Even going downhill, if the wind is at us, it's slow.   I think some of the winds yesterday were 40 - 50 mph.

Yesterday we rode about 80 miles, trying to make our way to what we thought was a fairly decent area to camp, eat, shower, refresh.  Well...okay we could camp.  No place to eat.  or shower.  or refresh.  Luckily  we pleaded with the Dominos in the nearest town and were able to get them to deliver pizza. 

Then today we rode another 83 miles.  Not as windy today, but still plenty of wind.  And today was hot, and dry.  But tomorrow I should be at or close to the Grand Tetons...hoping to take a detour to actually visit the National Park.

So, tonight I'm at the Stagecoach Motor Inn...Debois, Wyoming.  Along the way today I met some nice folks who were supportive of my trip ... wanted pictures with me, and donated to Livestrong too...thank you! 

A Beautiful Wyoming Sunset

A River Runs Through It

Jewel Dirks...thank you for your donation!