Celebrating 24 years

We've not had much time to really keep up on the news, but we've heard some about the fires in central and eastern Washington, and Banff, Alberta-- pretty devastating and alarming. I hear smoke is getting to areas of Montana that we passed through the end of June, so I feel for all the cyclists on the northern part of the route we're riding. And I wonder about family and friends in the Methow and Spokane and elsewhere. I'm thinking of you all! And I'm thinking of other family members dealing with stuff. There are all sorts of things going on and we're in our own little world of cycling and selfish aspects of pain, but it's not all about us. Still...life has to go on, and celebrations of life...such as our 24 years together..."solid" as of July 19, 1990.

A rest day comes with having time to catch up a bit-- as much as connectivity allows. We don't have cell here in Pinedale, WY, so communication isn't great... We'd hoped to make some phone calls. (Sorry about the walls of text. Finnian!) But there's mental time to think beyond rocks and sand and where the next source of water is.

I love when Paul stops to take awesome photos of grass or flowers for me.

Yes, we're in Pinedale-- got here a day earlier than planned, what with the one longer ambitious good day, followed by the also long, difficult day (when our camping options were limited, forcing us to continue on), so yesterday we had a short (only 36 miles), mostly pavement, ride with only (only?) 3 miles of washboard (hard on the ribs and head!) dirt in the morning, and 4 miles of cross-range smooth dirt midday, from Whiskey Grove. There WAS one mean scary dog that chased us for a good few hundred feet-- the first big scary chasing dog of the trip--and Paul got a chance to try out his quick response bear spray tactics (without really harming the dog). I don't like dogs chasing me.

We'd pre planned a treat of a B&B here for just tonight, but with getting in a day early we were very graciously welcomed by the B&B (Chambers House), put in a bigger room for some reason, able to make our celebration of being together 24 years even more relaxing -- and for two days with a bed, a sitting area, our own shower and a fabulous breakfast, Tonight is so quiet here; last night the house (and front walk) was filled with characters driving big trucks, from Louisiana  and other points south, with yapper dogs. No, Paul didn't use bear spray on the yappers.

In town, we enjoyed a relaxing walk along the creek in the nearby park, a visit to the most awesome county library here, and some hydrotherapy at the stunning rec /aquatic center in this tiny town of 1500 (compared to Bellingham's 80,000) that puts ours to shame. I do have to say that the ribs (I think we've ascertained that there are 2 offending ribs with maybe 3 different offending cracks or, well, I don't know--  darn painful spots) issue does get me a bit more tired, even if it's just because I'm so cautious so as not to fall. Mentally tired.

Anyway, Pinedale, home of the Wind River Brewery, a destination Paul had planned on. A cool place and setting, decent beer, good food. We noted, late, as we were sitting outside, that they even had the Sounders-Tottenham game on in the bar live, so we got to see the last 15 or 20 minutes. A slice of home.

We didn't take any other shots of town...

Outside the local grocery store (thank you local lady for letting us use your rewards # to get the sale prices) we met solo south-bounder Sean from Salt Lake City. He was in good spirits and continuing on through Pinedale today. We haven't met any other south-boulders since Denis (with one n) now many weeks ago in Montana so it was nice to talk with someone with shared experiences (that darn Union Pass!).

 

In the box of supplies we'd sent here for much of the remaining less-than-two-weeks-of-riding(!!) till
we reach Loveland, Paul had weeks ago snuck in a sweet anny card. So sweet.

Paul's checked the bikes again, he has new bike gloves (the others, how many years old?? Were past done) and we have more spare screws in case any other jiggle out from all the damn rough road jostling. Tomorrow we launch a stretch of 4 remote days through hot, open, flatish (I wish!) Wyoming, including the dry and broad and windy (I hope from the stern!) Great Basin. We're provisioned and will top up water wherever we can. Next wifi might be Rawlins, WY, on Thursday, July 24.

Oh, and Paul horse-wrapped me this afternoon--Cowboy Jim's recommendation for broken ribs. Life is full of new experiences!

Days 23/24- Saturday & Sunday, July 19 & 20--Whiskey Grove Campground to Pinedale, WY (Saturday) - 36 miles, 11.6 avg mph, 3:08 rt. Only 13 more days 'til we reach Loveland and friends.