Finally re-entered mountainous terrain today, though desert conditions still made a strong showing. It's comforting (sort of?) to hear folks in Rawlins commenting on how bloody hot it is . . . you sort of make an assumption when you make a one-day appearance at a place that the conditions you find there that day are representative of every day (rains all the time in Portland, yada, yada, yada).
| Sinclair oil refinery in Sinclair, Wyo. |
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My first real day back on the TransAmerica Trail for a LONG time and it didn't disappoint. Saw five other parties making their way West. Still trying to figure out etiquette on the route - do these folks want to stop and chat? Is there an expectation that route info will be exchanged? Apparently not. At each meeting I'd stop pedaling and coast and veer a bit toward them while giving a wave. All waved (except for one solo lady - not sure her problem) but all were happy to continue pedaling without a full work-stoppage. OK by me.
Managed the only Interstate segment of the trail just fine (a short stretch on I-80 from Sinclair to Walcott) then started the slow climb up to the Colorado plateau. Again - great to see some mountains, trees, and green again. Saw some spectacular ranches along the way as well.
| A cool flower field with the Sierra Madre mountains in the background. |
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| We're camped now at a beautiful spot on the North Platte River - about 4 miles North of the Colorado border. |
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| While we were walking down to the river we saw two bighorn sheep in the hills above. A real treat. |
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There is some ominous signage around here about the presence of bears, so we're going to be keeping the camper food & temptation-free until we exit the Rockies.
Coupla' BIG passes coming up over the next couple of days.
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