Today got off to a slow start as I slept in on Forest's couch and borrowed his Jeep to make a supply run to K-Mart. I was quite lucky to make such a great friend at the Highway 26 rest area just outside of Idaho Falls where we made camp just a few nights prior. He left with me a book as a parting gift with a note to "run the race set before you." I would have loved to stay longer as he left for work at 5 am and didn't get home from his other job until after midnight the night before, but the journey continued.
I jumped on the 12 mile bike path from Jackson to Moose to start the day. After an initial climb, the mighty Tetons were right there to greet me. I had been a couple of times before, and they have always been one of my favorite places in the country, but they looked so much better after running over 900 miles to get to them.
I proceeded up Highway 26 where I braved the hordes of RVs and tourists. The beautiful scenery led to a lot of distracted drivers who paid more attention to the mountains than the road ahead. I stopped at every vehicle turnout along the way and met people from all over the world who came to take in the park.
At the Snake River turnout I decided to take an extended break and nap. I was asked at least six times if I was doing alright. One lady from South Dakota gave me a cross necklace explaining, "I didn't know why I bought this at the time, but now I do." Another couple from Jackson, Mississippi gave me a 10 dollar bill to buy a burger down the road after a long conversation about Ole Miss and Oregon State football.
I was disappointed to find that Moran Junction was just indeed an intersection of two highways, without any store or cafe. I continued east where I passed a local runner (impressive after 30 miles) who directed me to a vehicle turnout just down the road. I came to the turnout, set up my tent, bathed in deet, cooked dinner and crashed at about 8:30. It had been awhile since I had done a 30+ mile day, let alone at altitude, and I could feel it.
After falling asleep, the rain and lightning started. I had never heard thunder so booming as it echoed off of the mountain walls. The thunder followed a comfortable 15+ seconds after every flash of bright light until the crack of lightning whose thunder was pretty much simultaneous. It was a little too close for comfort and provided me with a burst of adrenaline I could have used during the run. Instead it went towards staying awake all night.
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| Snake River Overlook |
I live in Washington, the necklace was bought in South Dakota. We happened on you coming through Wyoming our second time around. We started our journey on the road from Washington to Yellowstone then down to Casper (my home town) to visit my family, off to deadwood to plunder their treasure. From there we made our way to Minnesota to visit my son and his family only to break my butt going to down the LAZY Apple River. Lazy my butt. Off from there to trek back the way we came to drop down through Wyoming (running into you) to see Jackson Hole and Moose (another story all together) on our way to Arizona to see my sister. Our summer trip is about to end. We were suppose to start home yesterday but I had picked some prickly pears to make jelly and did not know how long it would take. It's all good, it gave me one more day with my sister and I wouldn't have ran across the story about you in the Casper Star Tribune. I was looking for something else and low and behold there you were. We have talked about you often with the people we have seen this summer. I am glad to know that you are safe and moving right along. Stay safe.
ReplyDeleteCandy B
(candy_janson@yahoo.com)