Our Night In Jeffrey City

Jeffrey City, in south central Wyoming, is a town that has about 50 people, according to Byron, the artist who runs Monk King Bird Pottery. Jake and I arrived in Jeffrey City and quickly went into the bar, which is where we met Byron. Our day's work was done, so we celebrated with a few two-dollar Budweisers. The bar was closing, and outside the mosquitoes were attacking with a powerful ferocity, so Byron welcomed Jake and I--as well as 4 other cyclists who had just pulled up--into his pottery studio/home. We talked, listened to music, watched a short film by David Lynch, drank some beer, and waited for night, which is when the mosquitoes disappear. Then, when the air was cool and the light was gone, we went back outside to enjoy the warmth of the campfire and the sweet sagebrush scent of the Wyoming wind.

Day 5 Update

Greetings from sunny Wyoming!

Jake and I have been on the road for five days now. Our summer bike tour is progressing well. Lots of smiles. No flat tires (my streak is still going on!). And lots of calories consumed. The photos below are from our first four days in Colorado. We've ridden about 270 miles. The soreness is starting to leave my legs. We've had some cold rain and snow, but not much. It's been mostly sunshine daydreaming for the last five days.

Today is our first full day in Wyoming. Right now, we're in the town of Rawlins, staying at the same campground Janice and I stayed at 2 years ago. We're currently on the TransAmerica Bike Route, so there's lots of other cyclists on the road with us. (There's six other cyclists staying at the campground, and more will probably be showing up later.) I've been asking the East Bound cyclists to say hi to Chris and Kyle, who are moving farther west every day. I hope they do.

We got into town early today, and we're taking the afternoon off. Our plans are: get some beer, go to the movies, then maybe some bowling. Tired legs need rest.

Photos From Colorado

Time To Ride

Our rigs are packed, and now it's time to ride.

Full-Time Friend Continued (The Night Before The Tour)

I'm in Colorado now, at the Belvin home in Longmont, Colorado. Jake and I got in late last night. From Maryland it was a 27-hour drive, but it was a pretty easy drive because our friend Mary came along, and helped out with the driving. Having three drivers was great--almost too good-because with three drivers there can be: a driver, a navigator, and a sleeper.

The Full-Time Friend Mission is going well. I could do more, of course, but then again I guess I could always do more. I just got a cell phone, my first ever, so I got that going for me. A mobile phone will help me stay in touch while I'm on the road. Janice helped me activate the phone, so a big Thank You to her! And Debbie gave me the actual phone. So thanks Debbie!

Jake and I are packing our rigs right now. Jake's sister Laura is helping us and keeping us properly hydrated. The air is dry out here; hydration is important.

Tonight we party. We're going over to Peter and Kristin's home in downtown Denver. They're having a going away party for us, and for that I am thankful.

Tomorrow we ride. Tomorrow the bike tour begins. The bike tour will be a long commute, from Longmont to Yosemite Valley, a distance of over 1,600 miles. We need to get to Yosemite. Travis and Hilary will be there when we get there. And hopefully some of our other friends will be there too. Yosemite is awesome, and I'm more than ready to stand there and enjoy what is.

Jake and I have been planning this tour for 9 months now. Jake was in Iraq when we first had the idea. And now, with our departure so close, I'm definitely feeling good about Hood. Jake was there for the first tour I ever did, which was back in 2000. And now, I'm definitely ready to get back out there and travel the backroads with my old friend.

Speaking of bike tours, Chris and Kyle have been on the road for nine days now. They are still in Virginia, and heading west every day, as they make their way across the country. You can see Chris's blog here.

The Adventure goes on. Thanks for reading. And, congratulations to the newlyweds: Travis and Hilary.

Namaste.