Today started off really wet, as I realized a $30 tent wasn't going to cut it as a home for the next few months. I decided to sleep in a bit despite the dampness (til 7 am!) as the 23 miles downhill was nothing compared to the monster tackled yesterday.
My first stop was at the Hack Memorial where I learned about the tie hacks who would fall a tree, cut out a tie with an ax, and send them down the Wind River for use by the railroads. Here I talked awhile with a couple from Perth, Australia who were on a month long road trip across the US.
A few stops down the line I noticed a glistening in the grass. It was a Wyoming license plate! I am hoping to find one on every state I run in, and so far I am batting 1.000. This find, combined with a break in the rain and the prospect of a shower in single digit miles away, really lifted my spirits.
A few miles from town I rounded a corner to find hills similar to the Painted Hills of Oregon. We had missed this sight in our home state as it was too far off the highway. The Painted Valley made the last 5 miles even easier than they already were.
I stopped into the country store-home of the world's largest Jackalope-for lunch. Afterwards I met up with Jeff Milton, my host for the next couple of days, at his office. He then directed me to his beautiful home along the Wind River. Jeff and Lynne are the parents of my aunt's good friend from Arizona who saw my mom's post on Facebook and thought her parents could help. Lucky for me, they were able to and more.
I devoured an entire homemade pizza cooked on the grill and a quarter of a banana cream pie. We ate on the back porch enjoying great conversation with a view of the mountains towering over the river.
It is amazing the difference in places I call home for the night on this trip. The Milton home was a far cry from the highway turnout I had stayed in two nights prior. The lightning and thunder that had been so frightening was now somewhat pleasant while in a hammock under a covered porch. Staying with great people like the Miltons make this journey worth traveling.
Tomorrow will be a well earned day off after 7 days in a row of running.
Hi, we met on the road earlier. we were changing a lady's tire on her camper. Hop e you enjoyed the cherries. If you come thru Lander WY..we are about 9 miles north of town on hwy 287..mountainview campground..give us a call 601-323-4072 and stop by for dinner Marion and Pamela Valentine
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