Day 44

I have been riding long days every day so I made it to Oregon.  This is it. The last state. So far it looks like Eastern Washington, like between Yakima and Ellensburg. Today was hilly, but tomorrow I climb three Mountains right away.

Haven't seen a west bound rider for days. It is lonely when you are out in the giant openness.

Idaho Pictures

This View Was After One Of The Most Difficult Climbs On This Ride

This Clear Mountain River Shadowed Me For At Least 70 Miles Today. It Is A Beautiful River.

Day 42 Update

I reached Idaho late on Day 41. It was a difficult day. Near Lolo, Montana the wind was blowing very hard from the side. It was difficult to stay up. I yelled out in fun at Mother Nature "Come On! You Can't Beat Me!" and she tried harder. She got back at me later. I was on this six mile climb to the top of a mountain pass before Idaho and the cold cold rain drenched me. I was at the last available spot that evening in Powell, Idaho. They were nice. They made a deal with a cabin renter to allow me to sleep out of the rain on the porch. I took about a 20 minute hot shower.

Today the weather was nice. I traveled along a beautiful river for 66 miles before I got breakfast. The waitress was amazed at how much I ordered; two full breakfasts and pie. The funny thing was some people eating breakfast saw me later in the evening at another restaurant.  They were smiling because I drank five strawberry lemonades.

Not many pictures because it looks much like Washington.

Montana

Montana is big sky country. I have been on many mountain passes the last few days. Not many pictures,  here are a few.

This picture shows how windy it was. This lake was storming. 

This was a long morning hill climb. You csn see the road in the distance. 

Yellowstone

Storage to keep the animals like bears out of your tent.

Tetons

Day 39 Update

I have now gone over four mountain passes and seen the Great Divide ay least seven times. Appalachians, Ozarks, Rockies, Tetons.

The last few days I traveled by myself through Teton Park, Yellowstone,  and now am in Montana.

All beautiful.  The Tetons had nice wide shoulders, however Yellowstone was narrow or no shoulders and many cars, RVs. It was very busy. I don't think I would like visiting in a car. I saw Old Faithful geyser,  however didn't get my camera out in time.

Things are going well still.

More Wyoming Pics

The Tetons Tomorrow

Bicycle Friends

You meet people everyday. I have been riding with Leo (dark beard) for a few days on and off. He crashed and injured his hand. John met us last night and again tonight.

Night Time In Lander, Wyoming

"Good Night John Boy", "Good Night Mary Ellen"

Reader Boards And Books

Last night I stopped in a small city, population 58. There was no where else to go. I stayed at another Baptist Church. They are always very giving. They had cold bottled water in the fridge,  showers, mattresses in some rooms, but they can't afford a new roof or paint. This Church I was told had very few people. Many of the places have books you write about yourself. This Church had a wall you sign. My name "Stormy James" is above the large word "where".

Beautiful Wyoming

Smiling before a 5 mile, 6 % downhill ride. I Dress Bright For Safety.

Split Rock Pass, An Important Landmark For Travelers In The Past. The Mosquitoes Swarmed Me While Taking This Picture. 

Panoramic View Of Landscape

Lovely View From The Road

Look Closely And You Can See The Long Downhill Starting On The Left And In The Distance

High On A Hill

Day 34, 35

I have been in Wyoming for a couple of days. It is a beautiful state! When you ride a bike, you have time to observe the scenery most of the time. Many times it is the difficulty of the day or the riding condition that determines how much you notice. For example, if it is a rough cracked road, or there isn't a shoulder, you are concentrating too much to notice. This can go for miles.
The wind is very unpredictable.  It shifts directions constantly and is never mild except in the morning. Trick is to wake up early and ride as fast as you can before the wind starts and hope it is at your back. Today it was in my face so strong that I was pedalling with effort going downhill.  Not complaining,  it is all part of the journey.
Another pesty thing is the mosquitoes. They swarm around you while you are riding and this is in the middle of nowhere. I have met many bicyclists and am still enjoying the ride.

Day 33 Wyoming

Made it to Wyoming. Stayed at my first warm showers (open house for travelers). There was 7 other bikers from England, Maryland, Florida, and Chicago.  I was the oldest. They travel in all directions, and come from all parts of the country.

Day 32 Another Climb

I started the day with a good breakfast.  While at the restaurant I spoke with a person for a while, when I went to pay, the person had paid for my breakfast and slipped away.  Very kind of him. I climbed up another long accent to another divide today, Willow Creek Pass. The trees in the Rockies are a mass of dead wood. The Bark Beetle has attacked and killed the live trees.  The mountains look white instead of a green. 

Another Summit

Dead Pine Trees, The Result Of The Bark Beetle

Day 31 The Climb Pictures

I Wondered If Those Were The Mountains I Would Climb