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Saturday, July 17, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
Lasting Legacy Park, Gillette WY --> Pond behind a highschool, Sundance WY
We left Gillette and headed out on the inner state. After being lead on by a sneaky sign that said rest area which was actually a town a mile or so down the road we stopped for a roasting road side snack break. Here a firewomen stopped by in her car and offered to buy us iced tea, points for the midwestern women are racking up. We continued down the highway and dicided to take some back roads for about 40 miles to get into Sundance. The main attraction along this route was Devil's Tower, which we were able to see from the road and decided not to make the 12 mile detour to go check out. We did stop in a restaurant at Devil's Tower junction, consumed almost all of their ice water, and ordered sides of fries and ice cream. After watching a real live cowboy order some dinner we hit the pavement again, ready for "some rollers" said the guy who owned the restaurant. After some baking climbs and thoughts of jumping barbed wire to dunk ourselves in some farmers ponds we made it to Sundance. We got Subway and retired to our pond behind the highschool, which had an impressive rodeo set up.
A poem for the afternooon:
My leg hairs detect which way the wind is blowing;
Preferably it's the same way we're going.
The countryside is beautifully simple;
On the back, my clothes dry without a wrinkle.
The stream we cross is slimy and green,
Definitely the worst rafting spot we've seen.
The road is winding and flat;
My bike helmet doubles as a sunhat.
A bug just flew down my shirt.
It buzzed around for a bit, but didn't hurt.
As we coast down a hill,
We almost make some antelope road kill.
Today it's very hot,
But we want to get to Sundance, and our bikes are all we've got.
:-)
A poem for the afternooon:
My leg hairs detect which way the wind is blowing;
Preferably it's the same way we're going.
The countryside is beautifully simple;
On the back, my clothes dry without a wrinkle.
The stream we cross is slimy and green,
Definitely the worst rafting spot we've seen.
The road is winding and flat;
My bike helmet doubles as a sunhat.
A bug just flew down my shirt.
It buzzed around for a bit, but didn't hurt.
As we coast down a hill,
We almost make some antelope road kill.
Today it's very hot,
But we want to get to Sundance, and our bikes are all we've got.
:-)
Biking Straight East across the Powder River Valley
Day 29- July 14
HF Bar Ranch, Buffalo WY- Lasting Legacy Park, Gillette, WY
72.6 miles
We woke up and had breakfast at the ranch- a sleepy affair of Cap'n Crunch and goodbyes as everyone went back to work. Kyle drove us out to Beutler's where we stored our bikes in town, and we packed up and headed on the road. Thanks again HF Bar for showing us a great time!
The ride was 70 miles on the interstate with one rest area 35 miles in. There was a hard headwind as we started out of town but the road curved sharply after 1/2 mile and we had a tailwind most of the morning, pushing us over rolling hills on beautiful black asphalt with a wide shoulder and few cars. The morning flew by.
We had lunch at the rest area and on our way out a tan guy in a Hawaiian shirt and USD hat approached us and asked how far we were going. We got to talking and it turned out he was a history teacher at Lakeside School in Seattle, WA- the high school my mom graduated from back in...well, really so long ago. He was traveling with another history teacher from Lakeside who asked what my mom's name was.
'Oh yea! My daughter Alice went to Macalester in MN and she babysat for your mom!" We put two and two together and came to the mutual conclusion that he was the father of my childhood babysitter. When you're in nowhere- and the Powder River Valley really felt like nowhere- you can still find there are only six people in the world. And I suppose if there's only one somewhere in the 100 square miles- everyone has to gather there, even if it's only a highway rest area.
As barren as the Powder River Valley felt, we saw several active oil wells on our ride as well as a coal plant. The area produces 1/3 of the United States' energy. Eastern Wyoming is also notorious for its crooks: The Powder River is the location of Hole-in-the-Wall, where Billy the Kid and the Sundance Kid hid from the authorities. The afternoon ride was quiet and we rode fast, climbing often with the wind in our faces as often as our backs. Left to my thoughts, I considered the outlaws who hid in high plains. It would be an easy place to hide The hills were not high but they folded and creased together in compressed layers that faded into the horizon. Except for the Big Horns at our backs there was no mountain range to frame the scenery or place bounds on the plains. The hills seemed to stretch for eternity, capped only by the halfdome of cloudless sky above. It was an endless, hot, barren place, confusing for its repition. Probably an unforgiving but opportune place to hide.
We entered Gillette around 5. It was a town of BMX biking, men driving in trucks and skate parks, with highway signs and strip mall, shoulderless roads. After stopping at an overpriced campground we called the police station and were told to camp in Lasting Legacy park- a soft grassy area with War memorials, a soccer field and middle school sk8ter bois zooming around. We had pasta and split a giant pack of oreos with vanilla frosting. The sun sunk below the shallow hills as we wrote in our journals and soon after conked out.
HF Bar Ranch, Buffalo WY- Lasting Legacy Park, Gillette, WY
72.6 miles
We woke up and had breakfast at the ranch- a sleepy affair of Cap'n Crunch and goodbyes as everyone went back to work. Kyle drove us out to Beutler's where we stored our bikes in town, and we packed up and headed on the road. Thanks again HF Bar for showing us a great time!
The ride was 70 miles on the interstate with one rest area 35 miles in. There was a hard headwind as we started out of town but the road curved sharply after 1/2 mile and we had a tailwind most of the morning, pushing us over rolling hills on beautiful black asphalt with a wide shoulder and few cars. The morning flew by.
We had lunch at the rest area and on our way out a tan guy in a Hawaiian shirt and USD hat approached us and asked how far we were going. We got to talking and it turned out he was a history teacher at Lakeside School in Seattle, WA- the high school my mom graduated from back in...well, really so long ago. He was traveling with another history teacher from Lakeside who asked what my mom's name was.
'Oh yea! My daughter Alice went to Macalester in MN and she babysat for your mom!" We put two and two together and came to the mutual conclusion that he was the father of my childhood babysitter. When you're in nowhere- and the Powder River Valley really felt like nowhere- you can still find there are only six people in the world. And I suppose if there's only one somewhere in the 100 square miles- everyone has to gather there, even if it's only a highway rest area.
As barren as the Powder River Valley felt, we saw several active oil wells on our ride as well as a coal plant. The area produces 1/3 of the United States' energy. Eastern Wyoming is also notorious for its crooks: The Powder River is the location of Hole-in-the-Wall, where Billy the Kid and the Sundance Kid hid from the authorities. The afternoon ride was quiet and we rode fast, climbing often with the wind in our faces as often as our backs. Left to my thoughts, I considered the outlaws who hid in high plains. It would be an easy place to hide The hills were not high but they folded and creased together in compressed layers that faded into the horizon. Except for the Big Horns at our backs there was no mountain range to frame the scenery or place bounds on the plains. The hills seemed to stretch for eternity, capped only by the halfdome of cloudless sky above. It was an endless, hot, barren place, confusing for its repition. Probably an unforgiving but opportune place to hide.
We entered Gillette around 5. It was a town of BMX biking, men driving in trucks and skate parks, with highway signs and strip mall, shoulderless roads. After stopping at an overpriced campground we called the police station and were told to camp in Lasting Legacy park- a soft grassy area with War memorials, a soccer field and middle school sk8ter bois zooming around. We had pasta and split a giant pack of oreos with vanilla frosting. The sun sunk below the shallow hills as we wrote in our journals and soon after conked out.
Ranch it!
We awake in Boulder Creek campground, and continue up the pass. After a few rolling hills we reach the top and are greeted by our favorite sign. "Trucks use low gear." However, after an exhilarating descent for a few miles, we have to go back up again! There are at least 5 more huge hills we must go up and down before the final decent into the city of Buffalo. The last part of the descent is a bit scary, with high strength winds buffeting us from all directions. After lunch in Buffalo we are picked up by Millhouse, an employee of the HF Bar Ranch, where Lucia worked for a summer three years ago. We leave our bikes at a house in town and ride in a rickety van at high speed down winding dirt roads to the ranch. The ranch has lovely large trees, rustic wooden cabins for the guests, a swimming pool, a horse corral, and a sparkling stream that winds its way through everything. We are welcomed with the finest hospitality. After we wander around meeting people and horses, we are provided with a delicious dinner and ice cream for free, showers, laundry, and a place for our tents. During the day, everyone seems to be in a daze from the heat, but at night everyone livens up, plays games, and dances. It was a fantastic night.
Thanks to everyone at the ranch!
Thanks to everyone at the ranch!
Across the desert and up the pass!
Greybull-Powder River Pass...well almost
We started the day with a trip to the post office- many thanks to the wonderful care package senders. We were headed toward the Big Horns, but had to pass through about 55 miles of hot desert first. I think it's safe to say that this was our first very uncomfortably hot day. Without a spot of shade in site we ate lunch on the scorching pavement with our last bits of hot water to wash it down. A few miles before rolling into the town of tensleep we crammed into a small shadow of a tree for a rest. Tensleep came just in time. We immediately dropped our bikes and busted into Dirty Sally's ice cream shop. Some were a little dizzy, some a bit nauseous. We drank cold lemonade and rootbeer and ate some ice cream. It wasn't until about 4:30 until we headed out. We got about 9 different stories from 7 different locals about what to expect when heading up Powder River Pass... The first camp ground is 10 miles away, no 12, maybe 15, could be about 20. You'll see tons of them! There are only a couple... It turns out there were only a couple and the one we wanted was about 15 miles up the pass. We didn't arrive until after 9pm. There was a tail wind and plenty of shade but the deceptively flat grade and previous 55 miles made 15 miles seem like 30. Anyway, we got to camp, ate ramen bombs, and hit the hay. Another day, another ride.
A poem for the morning ride through the desert:
The blue sky is endless,
and the heat is relentless.
A few glasses of water would satisfy my needs,
but all that's around us is sagebrush and weeds.
Occasionally we see a field, perfectly green.
The fields are hogging all the water! It's just mean.
So we bike on through the red rock formations,
and mirages form in our imaginations.
We started the day with a trip to the post office- many thanks to the wonderful care package senders. We were headed toward the Big Horns, but had to pass through about 55 miles of hot desert first. I think it's safe to say that this was our first very uncomfortably hot day. Without a spot of shade in site we ate lunch on the scorching pavement with our last bits of hot water to wash it down. A few miles before rolling into the town of tensleep we crammed into a small shadow of a tree for a rest. Tensleep came just in time. We immediately dropped our bikes and busted into Dirty Sally's ice cream shop. Some were a little dizzy, some a bit nauseous. We drank cold lemonade and rootbeer and ate some ice cream. It wasn't until about 4:30 until we headed out. We got about 9 different stories from 7 different locals about what to expect when heading up Powder River Pass... The first camp ground is 10 miles away, no 12, maybe 15, could be about 20. You'll see tons of them! There are only a couple... It turns out there were only a couple and the one we wanted was about 15 miles up the pass. We didn't arrive until after 9pm. There was a tail wind and plenty of shade but the deceptively flat grade and previous 55 miles made 15 miles seem like 30. Anyway, we got to camp, ate ramen bombs, and hit the hay. Another day, another ride.
A poem for the morning ride through the desert:
The blue sky is endless,
and the heat is relentless.
A few glasses of water would satisfy my needs,
but all that's around us is sagebrush and weeds.
Occasionally we see a field, perfectly green.
The fields are hogging all the water! It's just mean.
So we bike on through the red rock formations,
and mirages form in our imaginations.
Cody to Greybull! July somethingth
So we survived our night in Cody's Walmart parking lot! No trouble from any creepers.
The next morning we brushed our teeth in Walmart's bathroom (they're open 24/7, except, apparently one hour from 10 to 11 pm when I REALLY had to pee). Then we had some milk and cereal in the parking lot - our breakfast treat.
As we were heading out of Cody, we stumbled upon a bike shop. Technically they were closed that Sunday, but the mechanic who owned it was inside and managed to fix Dan's bike up so that it actually has a full range of gears now (remember, bent hanger and derailleur). He also fixed Lucia's brakes so that they no longer squeak.
After a late start but in good spirits we finally made it out of Cody and hit the long, flat, arid highway that leads to Greybull. We decided that we wouldn't be able to make it to Buffalo in two days and would be better off taking our time and sleeping in Greybull.
The ride was rather uneventful, and we ate a hot, sunny lunch on the side of the road.
We did get a quick taste of the old west though - right before we stopped for lunch a large group of horses (probably not wild, but I let my imagination wander) galloped next to us through their field next to the road for about 5 minutes! It was amazing.
When we finally pulled into Greybull, tired, dirty, and overheating, we decided it would be a good day to use one of the hotel nights my dad has so graciously provided us. It was also pouring rain and threatenting hail. We ended up in a little cabin at the Antler Motel for only 45 dollars.
Danielle and I (Amie) were dying for pizza, so we wandered into town to find some. Instead we ended up at a local cafe where we devoured cheeseburgers, fries, sodas, pie, and ice cream all for under $10 apiece. Amazing. Our three friends didn't want to go out to eat and cooked stuffed peppers and corn on a grill at the hotel.
That night, well fed, on comfortable beds, and watching scrubs on the TV we got a solid night of sleep and geared up for the long next day.
The next morning we brushed our teeth in Walmart's bathroom (they're open 24/7, except, apparently one hour from 10 to 11 pm when I REALLY had to pee). Then we had some milk and cereal in the parking lot - our breakfast treat.
As we were heading out of Cody, we stumbled upon a bike shop. Technically they were closed that Sunday, but the mechanic who owned it was inside and managed to fix Dan's bike up so that it actually has a full range of gears now (remember, bent hanger and derailleur). He also fixed Lucia's brakes so that they no longer squeak.
After a late start but in good spirits we finally made it out of Cody and hit the long, flat, arid highway that leads to Greybull. We decided that we wouldn't be able to make it to Buffalo in two days and would be better off taking our time and sleeping in Greybull.
The ride was rather uneventful, and we ate a hot, sunny lunch on the side of the road.
We did get a quick taste of the old west though - right before we stopped for lunch a large group of horses (probably not wild, but I let my imagination wander) galloped next to us through their field next to the road for about 5 minutes! It was amazing.
When we finally pulled into Greybull, tired, dirty, and overheating, we decided it would be a good day to use one of the hotel nights my dad has so graciously provided us. It was also pouring rain and threatenting hail. We ended up in a little cabin at the Antler Motel for only 45 dollars.
Danielle and I (Amie) were dying for pizza, so we wandered into town to find some. Instead we ended up at a local cafe where we devoured cheeseburgers, fries, sodas, pie, and ice cream all for under $10 apiece. Amazing. Our three friends didn't want to go out to eat and cooked stuffed peppers and corn on a grill at the hotel.
That night, well fed, on comfortable beds, and watching scrubs on the TV we got a solid night of sleep and geared up for the long next day.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Only two of the many characters we met at the ranch, Millhouse and Kyle
Yes, there is a cat hanging from his mouth. Her name is Jag-Paw
Keeping our cool while barreling down a dirt road in an old VW van
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
The pack of horses that ran with us as we biked. When we stopped, they stopped
Sunday, July 11, 2010
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