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Going up and up and up and up.... September 16, 2008Leave a comment ;)
Beaver Rim is located about 20 miles south of Riverton and rises majestically over the rugged terrain that surrounds the Wind River basin. It was on this rim over 37 years ago that my parents buried my childhood best friend, a 16 year old Bassett Hound named Gus. There are lot of things that one remembers about growing up and this was one of those events that sticks in the mind for the rest of your life. Coming through this country always brings back those memories right to the surface. Buzz Aldrin once remarked that the surface of the Moon was Magnificent Desolation. I really think the same can be said for the land that lies in central Wyoming. It is a starkly beautiful landscape that stretches as far as the eye can see and not be interrupted by any man made object. Trees exist, but only on the slopes of the mountains that border the area north or south of the Sweetwater River. This is also the location of the numerous trails that settlers used on their way to the west coast. My climb up to Beaver Rim pegged out at a 9% grade, but it was not all that long. It's a straight shot and looks impressive from a distance. Like other climbs I have made on this journey, it goes by surprisingly quickly. The weather was wonderful and the wind was minimal on the climb up. What the rim harbored was a sneaky southwest wind that smacked me in the face when I crested the top. I pushed through a sometimes gusty wind for another 15 miles before I coasted down to Sweetwater Station on Hwy 287. Antelope would poke their heads up from grazing, but always far from the camera lens. I turned east and took advantage of the wind as it shifted more towards my back. I hummed along for another 20 miles until I rolled into the Split Rock Historical site. Early settlers used the Split Rock as major landmark on the road west. The Pony Express briefly traveled this same route during it's short life time. I made plans with my folks to rendezvous in Lamont just in case I couldn't make the distance to Rawlins before sunset. My last stop before Lamont was in the Three Forks Muddy Gap Service store. Rachel was behind the counter and offered up a pen so that I could sign my name to the wall. Finding a place to write proved a challenge, so I grabbed a chair and found an empty space overhead. I also took Rachel's picture and commented on her sweatshirt! I know where Muddy Gap is and now you do too! I was hoping I could push on to Rawlins and cover the last 45 miles before 10 pm. The sun began to set making for some interesting photos of my shadow spanning the road, but the traffic was getting gnarly with trucks and semis screaming by next to a narrow, bumpy shoulder. After having two trucks squeezed by me, with what appeared to be five to six drunk rough neckers honking as they passed, I decided it was better to leave the highway behind until tomorrow morning. I met my folks at Lamont and we loaded up the bike so they could camp in Rawlins. My map indicated camping was available in Lamont, but it was nowhere to be found. As a matter of fact, my dad spoke with two cyclists that had asked the folks in the cafe if they could camp and they were told no. So one of the cyclists asked my dad if he could give them a ride into Rawlins. About the same time a truck pulled up and gave them a lift. Not a good place to camp beside the road. I will head back out to Lamont tomorrow and continue my ride from where I left off. I'm a purist in that I WILL ride every mile of this trip, rain or shine or no place to camp... Hopefully CO by tomorrow night. I've decided to pop over the mountains just north of Rocky Mountain National Park and travel down to Fort Collins and see my daughter Jessica at Colorado State University. From there I plan to travel along the Front Range through Loveland, Boulder, Golden and hug the hills west of Castle Rock and on into the Springs. I hope to be there by this weekend. Today's ride was a joy. Good temps, the sun is out, winds in a happy direction and I am getting a tan again! Yee haa! I forgot to mention that I had my bike serviced at "Out Sportin" in Riverton. Henri, the general manager did a great job getting my bike ready. Change out the rear tire that was down to the red inner liner and also trued my wheels and an overall tuneup. The bike is running super, thanks Henri! More Images: ;)
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4 Comments
Sep 17, 2008 2:06 pm - Pam Silas wrote : Hello John, just checking in on you. Thank you for sharing this adventure. I imagine being so close to the earth for that many hours each day changes your perspective on life. The mother has so much energy to give when we tune in. Safe travels.
Sep 17, 2008 5:26 am - Bob Williams wrote : Camping in Lamont Population 3 was behind Grandma's Cafe on Highway 220 but the camp sites were on an abandoned campgound and is a place that is best avoided. Enjoy your trip. Here's hoping the rubber side stays down.
Sep 17, 2008 1:00 am - Penny Kipp wrote : John, Wow 50 years and two days young. If nothing else transpires from this trip. You really ought to be a photographer. You're just geting better each day. I love your creativity of catching your image "somehow". What wonderful stories you'll have for your grandkids. Mine grandkids are with me following you via internet daily. Take care, thanks for the journey. Penny p.s. did you get the "honor song" video I up loaded to "you tube"?. Add a comment: |
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John, thanks for keeping us up to date on your adventures. The students in our fifth grade are tracking you daily. A different student starts out each day giving the class an update on your situation. When you post one, they also solve and present your problem of the day to the class. Today, a very bright student taught us about low-pressure weather systems and the wind circulation patterns associated with them. Her presentation was complete with weather charts and required audience participation. We developed a an organizer to help students to prepare their presentations. You can view a copy of it at: http://205.167.163.4/bldg1/grade5/bixby/Lesson/SS/JohnHerringtonBlogReport.doc