Crossed into Wyoming....

    What a beautiful few days these have been...and we have learned a few things along the way;

Did you know that after a long day and one more pass to climb, that you can actually keep a loaded bike upright on a 6% grade at 2.5 mph?!  Did you know that if you put a cowboy hat on in Idaho, you will automatically speak with a southern drawl?  That you can herd a stray bull on the side of the road with a touring bike?  That the person who invented shoulder rumble strips did NOT own a bicycle?  

     Yes, we have learned all these things, and more!  We have had good weather, until last night as we were trying to outrun a rainstorm heading into Teton Village, WY, when the rain definitely won!  But it was sure fun trying, and I got a great shot of the rainbow that came out later.

This huge gorgeous bull had gotten out and the rancher was trying to get him home, which was 2 miles down the road, but the bull had other plans...then we came along, and he asked us to stay behind on the other side of the road so he could herd him home. He said he was wondering if he would ever get the bull home by himself until we showed up!  Priceless....

     

Last night's destination, Teton Village, WY.  Enjoying the mountains today along a bike path, and climbing the pass, crossing the Continental Divide to tomorrow.  

455 miles and a rest day!

What a great and sometimes difficult few days these have been! Out of Mt Vernon we climbed up and over the Ochoco Mountains via 2 major passes. These were highlighted by incredible (I have a feeling we'll be using that word a lot!) views, quiet roads with little traffic, pristine woods and a young man named Joseph who stopped to give us oranges as we climbed.  He was a fellow cyclist who had just finished a tour of his own; he was a photographer from San Francisco.  Coming out of the forest, we stayed at Unity Lake Rec Area, where the campground manager with an impressive mustache welcomed us like long lost friends, having seen us climbing earlier in the day when he was getting wood.  He jokingly tried to give us a huge rock as a " good luck present" as we left the next day.   Coming out  of Unity, we were soon met by a very talented chorus of goats as we passed by their pen.  We laughed so hard we could hardly stay on our bikes as they bleated in true harmony very loudly, cheering us along the way.  I think they had been practicing that seventh chord just for us! " and there was much rejoicing...yay..."

In Vale we stayed at the city park. We wanted to make sure it was ok, so we knocked on a gate in the adjoining fence as we heard a voice on the other side, to ask permission, whereupon, the "man behind the gate" (Wilson?) appeared and not only said it was ok, but let us use his guest house shower and bathroom, and left the gate open in case we needed anything during the night!  He even apologized for the park sprinklers that came on in the middle of the night soaking our tent.  Magical....

Leaving Vale was fast and easy at first, but it got so hot that I was soon burned pretty badly despite 50 sunscreen lavishly smeared on.  We crossed the Idaho border early afternoon, and slogged into Nampa, hot and very tired. After a stop at Winco, for steaks for Father's Day supper, we found our warm showers host. Actually we found his house, which we have all to ourselves.....furnished but just used as a sometimes office.  We are taking a break now, resting for the day.  We have a shower and a bed and a kitchen for our use, as well as a car for the day!  What a host!  He came in this morning with coffees and breakfast groceries, and we had a great visit with him.  Amazing hospitality and kindness, and a very interesting guy. One of 5 bean breeder specialists in the world!  

So we will take a break today, and start our trek through Idaho tomorrow.  What a difference a little rest can make! 

Still climbing.... No that is NOT our beer bottle on the side of the road....

And climbing.....

And climbing

You get the picture....

Encouragement snack......

Second state line crossed!  (Yes, crossing into Oregon counts!)

This house, all to ourselves.... Thanks to the incredible kindness of our host and fellow cyclist.  Generosity prevails here!  We even have the use of his car for our day of rest... Wow.

Father's Day supper....

Mt Vernon, OR

60 miles today to Bike inn in Mt Vernon.  Hoping to reach OR ID border by Saturday night.  Stayed in a school yard in Mitchel last night. It doubles as a campground for bikers...how cool is that?  Met other bikers there from Kentucky doing the transAmerica, fully supported.  They were miles ahead of us by   breakfast!    Tino's knee is getting better, but was throbbing a bit as we came into town today.  Lots of passes on this route!  Up 2000 ft, down 1200 feet, up 1000, up another 800, etc. etc.!!  Getting us ready for the Rockies, I suppose.  More icing tonight.  My thighs still burn on the uphills!  Doing great, and having a blast... The last picture is of the Bike Inn in Mt Vernon....a Set-Up just for bikers riding through, all by donation.  It was cold and rainy today, so that hot shower sure felt good!  Might even watch a movie tonight, if we don't fall asleep first!

We made it into Madras last night after a rather painful 3 days of climbing especially For Tino, whose knee was acting up. Lots of ice and rest stops later, we pulled in to Madras early last night. We are staying with Stan and Mora from Warm Showers, and enjoying their hospitality very much. Tino's knee seems to be getting better as we take it slow, so we will enjoy a few more short days as we head to Idaho.  Weather has been great, tailwind all the way!  :)

Days 1,2,3..

Map

Some were asking about our route. Here is a picture of a map with our proposed route as we make our way to Portland ME.  Obviously this can and probably will change a little, but it gives us a good starting point.  Countdown 3 days!