Telluride from Dolores

Well we had to stay in Dolores afterall. I got another flat and I was running out of day light and inner tubes so we camped along the Dolores River. It was beautiful. The almost full moon crested right over the mountain on the other side of the river. The river glowed in the moonlight. We had a camp fire and then rested for the hike up Lizzard Head.

Yesterday we enjoyed the gentile climb out of Dolores. We were saw that we were lucky not to have pushed on the night before as the place we had planned to stop was closed. We ate lunch almost at the top of the pass at Rico.

The climb was set in a wonderful valley that had the Dolores River running along our side, pretty much the whole trip. Erik and I both missed the climb on the map that was right after the summit and had to put our aching legs back into climbing gear.

Last night we stayed at a friend of a friend of Erik's. Walter and Erin were generous hosts. They gave us a condo to sleep in and fed us. I think it was the company that made the night.

Today we are stuck in Telluride waiting on my bike to be fixed and for Jim to fly in and follow us for a few day in a car. It will be nice to have some company from home.

So one Rocky mountain down... several more to go...

Much love
T

UPDATE: Chrissy Donahue was able to move mountains and got me my tires here, on time. It is a good thing, the bike shop told me that the tires I had on the bike were severely dry rotted and could have caused problems... whew! Besides that they made a few adjustments to Erik's bike and we should be good to go for a while. Jim is on his way and should arrive in Telluride late and tomorrow we should be off into the Rockies!

T

State # 4

Well I'm re-hydrated and back on the road. Yesterday we rode into Colorado and for a moment I shed a few tears for Utah. I figured I had left some blood and lots of sweat... maybe she needed some tears to make her whole? Well To re-cap Utah.

What a beautiful state. We saw it in a very intimate way. I would recommend Utah to anyone who wants to see natural beauty at it's best. I bet every season is unique and wonderful... but... do it via something motorized! Or at least have someone follow you with a cooler of Dr. Pepper and spicy pork rinds.

Colorado... What can I say. We have been watching the snow capped mountains grow each mile we pedal. Colorado is greener than Utah and a little cooler. The roads are a series of ups and downs. Rolling hills so far. Yesterday I got my second flat tire. I had a wire, that looked like it came from a truck tire, embedded in my back tire. I have worn the tread down to nothing, so I was convinced that it was a tire related flat, not a puncture. Thank goodness it was a simple wire. Well we stayed in Dove Creek in a hotel owned by a fiber artist. I was able to fix the flat and patch the two inner tubes for later use. (the second tube was from my flat into Blanding)I am going to replace my tires in Telluride.

Today we got to ride right in the middle of a cattle drive. They were pushing the "doggies" right up the middle of the road. I loved watching the expressions of the horses and the cows. They seemed to be spooked by these, funny new creatures. At one point I was put in between a calf and it's mother... Thank goodness I was able to scoot out of the way in time. I am not sure the mother was going to stop.

We have made it to Dolores. This was supposed to be our destination, but I think we may eat and then push on to camp out somewhere past town. We have a few big climbs before we reach the pass at Monarch... so send us your energy... We will need it.

Much love all and thank you for all of your e-mails and comments. They really do help and keep the home sickness at bay.

Much love
T&E

PS... for those of you who are counting... 1219.5 miles and counting

Blanding... Gateway to adventure

So hello everyone from Blanding Utah! I will be so glad to get out of Utah... Well except for what's waiting for us next! The Rockies...

Utah has been so amazing. It has to be the most diverse terrain in the world. We have been in alpine and aspens... to lunar surfaces.

We camped in Boulder Utah a few days ago out of Bryce. It had been a long day and all of the motels were way to expensive so we hunkered down in a camp that was right out of a horror movie. We actually did a smudge to clear all of the bad vibes there. There were animal skeletons and all sorts of weird remnants of previous campers. I think if I ever get back this way I will skip Boulder!

Then we went on to Luna Mesa... (I think the town has a different name) The luna was right out of the Capital Reef National park. The luna was a quirky place, where the owner mentioned that it was common to see UFO's there all the time.

Capital Reef.....GO THERE! yes GO THERE and fast... it was amazing. We were on Bicycles and I felt like we were rushed. 50 million years of earth history there. The rest of that days ride was nice too.

We travelled to Hite on lake powell next. Hite was listed as a resort, restaurant, etc... on our map, but instead it was a ranger station with a closed down gas station. I've been to lake powell... dont go to Hite. That days ride was filled with at least four different kinds of landscape. The desert flowers we in total bloom and were very colorful.

Yesterday we rode into the rest of glen canyon and the whites. I got severely dehydrated and had to call for help to get me into town. A nice couple from Colorado drove me into Blanding and I started drinking fluids... Erik made the impressive, aw-inspiring ride in the dark and met me there around eleven last night. What an animal! Today I am still pretty sick, so I apologize for the brevity and lack of passion for Utah. I may edit this later.

We both needed a zero day and hopefully I'll be ready to ride tomorrow.

Well keep the comments coming... We appreciate the love.

T

Escalante Dreaming

Yesterday, We mosied into Ruby's inn around 1:00... We knew it was going to be cold so we got a room at the inn and Erik un-loaded to BOB and rode off to Bryce for a little. I hunkered down for a nap. Red canyon was amazing as well as all of the wash land. The whole ride was nice as much of it was on bike trails

Well we woke up this morning... We knew it was going to be cold, but we didn't know it was supposed to snow! Yes it was a blizzard, almost white out conditions... well it seemed that way. We stayed indoors until 11:00 and then headed out for Escalante.

About ten or so Miles we met a fellow Cross Country Trekker. He had started a few day before us, but has taken several small trips with friends and his family. Len was welcomed company today and he is camping with us tonight.

As far as some of the questions... BROOKSIE!!!!! My Saddle is well broken in now, so some days I am a little more sore than others, but for the most part... Things there are fine.

The weather is going to start getting warmer, so I am looking forward to shedding the leggings and the parka. Brrrrrrrrrr.

Keep the comments coming and Don't forget to keep us in your prayers.

Much love
T

Panguitch was calling

Well today the graces were with us. We had amazing weather and luck. It started with the trip to the bike shop. Erik squeaked out with a $50 part and some labor. They were able to get it done by 11. We went into town searching for breakfast and a ride up the mountain when we lucked out on both. We met a policeman at the polaris dealership (yes that is where you go for rides up mountains in Utah... who knew?) He was coming back at 1:00 to pick up his ATV and offered to take us back to where we stopped Saturday night.

I went into town and bought a few things for loved ones and Erik went to the hardware to fix his BOB trailer... Well at 1:00 sharp we loaded our bikes onto the kind policeman's flat bed and drove up 25 minutes what took us 6 hours on Friday.

Filled with vitamin Dr. Pepper we rode off after many thanks and headed here to Panguitch. The ride was spectacular. We saw volcanic residue from millions of years ago (ok like I know how long ago?...) The ride was beyond words... we saw it all. The national forest is called Dixie... land of many uses... well that is a great description. Even the snow was pretty!

We stopped for a tasty Burger at the Burger Barn... Solid food has been making me feel sick, and this was no exception. It tasted great and I am sure was top quality, but my stomach can't stand solid food. We will keep you posted.

So another KOA tonight and then who the heck knows tomorrow? lol I think it is Bryce canyon or something like that... you know... more spectacular scenery... ho hum...

Really it is some of the most breathtaking natural land I have ever seen. I've been in Utah before, but never this way... Try it...

Keep the comments coming. They help us. Really.

Much love
T

Cedar Break we went bust!

OK! yesterday we climbed a little mountain out of Cedar City... 10,350ft! We stopped near the summit at a place called Cedar Break to see a national monument and then camp about a half mile down the hill... Well all day Erik's bike had been giving him trouble in the lower gears... Well as we started off the path onto the road away from the break, there was a loud bang and some clicks and clacks...

Erik's rear derailleur disintegrated and bent up his rear wheel a bit... Well what the heck do you do then? Well we started to talk to the people who were there to see this amazing place and some of them took in their hearts to help us. One nice family offered to pick us up this morning and drive us back down that mountain and bring us to the only bike shop for the next few hundred miles. So last night, we camped in the national park amongst the snow and the cliffs waiting until the morning.

So that is where we are. At the KOA, in Cedar City, waiting for the bike shops to open tomorrow (or today if we can enroll them in opening up for us) I have no idea how expensive this will be, but my hope is that after it's fixed some kind soul will drive us back up that 10k hill!

Much love all!
T

The hills got nothing!

Well we got stuck in Ely one more night. We stayed in the "El Rancho". We did civilized things liked wrote e-mails and saw Spiderman 3. Our bikes needed some serious cleaning and it took several hours by the bike shop mechanic. If you need work done on your bike get it done in Ely. Only 5 bucks! Well after our wonderful night at the El Rancho we pedaled off towards Baker and the State line. We got to Baker around 4. Baker is an old town along the pony express line. It is also the headquarters for the Great Basin National park... We camped on the lawn of the Silver Streak Hotel. We played cards and drank a few beers with a public defender from Illinois. Baker was filled with characters. It seems that most of these small towns, quality.... hmmm how to say this... relations are hard to fine. Not that Erik and I were made any offers..., but they sure like to talk about it alot. Not good for two men on the road for 60 days away from their wives?

BTW.... the picture is of ERIK!!!!!

We left Baker around 8 hoping to make it into Utah and then maybe even make it the 83 miles to Milford UT.... Well we made it to Garrison UT only a few minutes into the ride, but the strong winds in our faces made the possibility of 83 doubtful at best. The wind did keep the temp down, but the three huge mountains added to our dilemma. Do we go for it or not? So around 5:30 or so we had one more 7000 foot mountain to climb and about 40 miles to go... so we decided that it was worth the ride in the dark to make it into town. WE DID IT! at 8:30 we glided into Milford. It was dark, but the lights of the town guided us home for the night.

We ate at the all night diner and got a room at the adjacent hotel. The shades in the room were so good we slept in to 10:41! so here we are... riding along and are in the little horse town of Minersville... hoping to make it to Cedar City sometime tonight or early tomorrow.

A few questions answered: Yes I'm on the same socks. I did by a pair of socks to wear as my town socks. Going barefoot was keeping me out of the better establishments. We have been told we are insane by enough people that I am beginning to believe it.

So three states! Only a few minor physical anomalies... and close to our first 1000 miles since San Fran.

Hopefully all of you will spread the word of our trip. Hopefully it will continue to move you as much as your support has moved us... Thank you all.. we really do thrive on your support and love.

T&E