Day 31: Craig,Co to Wamsutter,Wy
Miles covered: 106
Wind: 10-12 mph headwind/crosswind (for 90 miles) Tailwind/crosswind for the last 13
# of gas stations in 105 miles of riding: 2 (both in the same town of Baggs,Wy......a Sinclair and a Connoco)
# of firework stands: 1
# of dead deer and antelope carcuses: seriously like well over 200. I stopped counting at 75 within the first 20 miles
Word that describes where I rode today: desolate
TOM'S TAKE......
It wasn't pretty, but I made it. Today was one of those days where I was extremely grateful my bike did not breakdown because I would have been walkin' for a long, long time. The first 90 miles I climbed appr. 1,000 feet to the Continental Divide. I've actually passed the Divide several times now. I did the last 13 miles in about 45 minutes as it was all downhill into Wamsutter. Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee-Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.
TRADING WITH GRANDMA AT THE FIREWORKS STAND.......
With 13 miles to ride until I hit Wamsutter, I stopped at this firework stand at the 789/I-80 junction to see if they had any bottled water for sale. They said "No." What was weird to me is that these people actually seemed proud that they didn't sell any water. At least their tone implied this in my opinion. As Ferris Bueller would say....a little "snooty." And I must say that the fact they did not sell water to me was very odd considering 1) their fireworks stand is in the middle of freaking nowhere.....and 2) the stand is basically in what the locals described to me as the "high desert." Yeah, so I'm probably not the only thirsty one out there. So why they would not sell something cool to drink was puzzling. Anyways, as I'm about to get on my bike (mentally preparing myself to properly ration the last 11.5 oz of water that I had for the last 13 mile of riding) the daughter of the big boss lady (Grandma) comes out to tell me that she would run over to her trailer and sell me a 16 oz bottled water for $2.
"Wow," I thought to myself, "now there's a steal." But in my cynical thoughts I was actually very grateful just to have water. They didn't have to do that. And I tell you what, Grandma probably could have made $5 bucks off of me for that bottle had she tried.
RIDING ON I-80 IN WYOMING.......
My last 13 miles of the day had me riding on Interstate 80. Believe it or not, riding on the Interstate is actually pretty safe in my humble opinion. While it is illegal in most states, it is legal in Wyoming. And that's a good thing because there's not many roads in this state. In riding on the interstate, you have to get over the noise of semi's, the speed of the traffic, as well as a higher volume of traffic. But the upside is that I've pretty much got an entire lane to myself. The shoulder is huge. I did have three semi's honk their horns at me within the first 30 seconds on getting on I-80. I'm sure that they were rejoicing with me that I had finally made it on to I-80, and that I no longer had the wind in my face. Or maybe they thought the song that was stuck in my head yesterday was really awesome. Probably the latter.
HANGING OUT IN WAMSUTTER.......
Unfortunately, the picture of the family that I stayed with did not turn out. Wamsutter is a town of about 700 people, and there are mostly trailer homes in the town. While it is very much a blue collar town, and has the appearance of being a rough, the people that I met were amazing. Some of the nicest people that I've met thusfar. We had a chicken dinner at up at the church. Incidently, the only church in Wamsutter. And I stayed with Ema and Vern, who have been in Wamsutter for over 50 years.
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