Rockies and Roadies

Total 854 mi thru June 23 … stunning scenery especially the Tetons … riding the last 3 days has been hard because of the climbing (1000s of ft) and the brutal traffic. People I’ve met; two young teachers from Austin outside West Yellowstone determined to go to Seattle; two grads of U of Wyoming, obviously lovers, on their way to Portland; Father-Son from Bend; three Boomers from Eugene, so “PC” and positive on their way to Maine; a Vegas unemployed contractor riding to Prudhoe Bay Alaska. Two Norwegian tourists astonished to see a Yank-on-a-bike come from nowhere at a Wyoming rest stop; a resort accountant who builds 330 lb planes & flies them 1000s of miles. A 26 year old Français, excellent English, riding Denver to SF to see an old flame, impressed that I have a Buddhist son; 20-somethings approach me and ask what I’m doing and express delight in my project --“rad” ‘far out’ “good start, man!”

Spending tonight in Landers, Wyo, summer site of the National Outdoors Leadership School. When I first got here, I wondered why there were so many fit-looking 20-somethings in this town! After today I'll be in the boonies again - nothing but high desert sagebrush for 100 mi.