11.07.2012 to 15.07.2012 LRFS

Day 48-52: Getting Back to My Bike

After some fun filled adventures with Tas, it was time for me to resume my ride. She dropped me off at the Greyhound station in Las Vegas, NV and we said our good byes, she to head back to Texas and me back to Idaho. During the short time I waited for my bus there was one drunk couple thrown out, 2 ambulances and one additional dispute as well as a family who couldn't read directions and decided to cause a scene showing their ignorance. The drama that is Greyhound.

I took the Bus back to Pocatello, ID. I spent a couple days visiting with some of my new friends that I met at LRFS. While there I found an awesome barber to get a nice hair cut and shave. I then got a ride back to Idaho Falls, ID to my friends house. She gave me a ride to ARCO, ID and my friend Kathy picked me up there and I rode back to LRFS with her. So after a Greyhound bus and 3 rides I have made it back to LRFS and my bike.

I spent one more night at LRFS visiting with the Central Washington University crew that was there and tomorrow I am back on the road heading towards Missoula, MT and then the coast.

02.07.2012 to 10.07.2012 Adventures with Tas

Day 39-47: Adventures with Tas

When one of my new friends from the 2012 class at LRFS told me she was heading down to southern Utah, I took the chance to head down with her. We drove down to Moab, UT where we went for a short day rafting down the Colorado River and visiting Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. From there we drove over to Bryce Canyon National Park and then on to Zion National Park and finally to Las Vegas, Nevada. Again, I am not going to list a detailed description of this here, since it isn't exactly bike touring related (though I did see a lot of bicycle tourists going through this area), instead I am going to just post a couple photos.

21.06.2012 to 01.07.2012 LRFS

Day 28-38: Time off at LRFS

What started out as a couple of days off turned into 10 days off. It is truly hard to leave this place with its beautiful scenery, wonderful people, and amazing food. While here at the field station I helped out around the camp and in the kitchen, went out into the field with the students (a lot more fun when you don't have to do the academic work) and went on a few excursions around central Idaho (visiting Hot Springs,  Redfish Lake, and Sun Valley).  

I am not going to do a lot of detailed descriptions of the fun that is central Idaho, instead I am going to just post a couple of photos.

20.06.2012 Lost River Field Station, ID

Day 27: Idaho Falls, ID to Lost River Field Station, ID

Wednesday June 20, 2012, 101 miles (163 km) - Total so far: 1,616 miles (2,601 km)

Got a good start, cheating and taking a ride to the west side of town to avoid morning traffic. The day rolled by with no wind to speak of and easy terrain. The route today (hwy 20) crosses the INL, so it is several miles of just nothing, but also with light traffic. I reached Arco, ID just after 13:00 for lunch. Stopped at the Pickle Place, its a nice place to stop if you are passing through. As I was getting ready to head out Emily started rolling by and stopped and we chatted for a good while. She is heading from San Francisco to D.C. with stops along the way to see National Parks and Friends. I was surprised, I didn't expect to see any other cyclists in this area.

I felt foolish that I was just at my friends house and forgot to ask for directions to where I am going. It has been 7 years since I have been here and I knew the general direction but couldn't remember the exact way to get here. I just followed what I thought was right and ended up getting here just fine. Lost River Field Station is home to the Idaho State University Geology Field Camp (as well as other field camps) I love it here. I got to visit with PKL, Scott and was really happy to see Cathy again. I will be staying here for a couple days before continuing north.

18.06.2012 Idaho Falls, ID

Day 25: Riverside campground to Idaho Falls, ID

Monday June 18, 2012, 71 miles (114 km) - Total so far: 1,515 miles (2,438 km)

Headed out, its seems to be easier when you are heading to a friends place instead of an unknown campground. The road wasn't bad at first but then the wind picked up pretty strong. I stopped into Saint Anthony, ID for lunch and a break. I met another cyclist while I was on my break who was traveling around the continental US. After a short conversation I headed back on my way. The wind continued to blow hard. I came across a lady who had wrecked her car previously and was dragging part of her wheel well and front bumper on the ground. I stopped and helped her get it secured so she could drive home.

Somewhere along the way you could just make out the Grand Tetons, wish it wasn't so hazy.

Hwy 20 then changed into a limited access highway and the nice shoulder all but disappeared. There was a beautiful 4 to 5 foot shoulder, but the rumple strip went the whole way across, what a waste of a nice shoulder. And when this wasn't the case it was construction all around Rexburg, ID. Luckily once I got past Rexburg the road conditions got better. My friend gave me directions from Rigby so from there I left hwy 20 and took back roads the rest of the way.

Visiting with my friend for the next day and half.

17.06.2012 Riverside Campground, Island Park, ID

Day 24: Ranch to Riverside campground, Island Park, ID

Sunday June 17, 2012, 57 miles (92 km) - Total so far: 1,444 miles (2,324 km)

Slept in a bit today, had breakfast and then Steve gave us a tour of the ranch. This truly is a beautiful place. After a couple of photos we were on our way (around 11:00). I rode with Patrick and Charlie for about 12 miles and then split directions. I never get to travel with anyone for any significant amount of time. The wind was a bit strong which made it slow going. Eventually I made it over Reynolds Pass (which wasn't that bad) and reached both the Continental Divide and Idaho. Idaho began with a nice downhill to the beginning of Island Park, ID. I stopped into a C store and the guy recommended heading to Riverside Campground if I could make it that far. (At the time I really doubted it) I rode on to Mack's Inn and got some dinner. Between the meal and the reduction in wind I made good time riding all the way to Riverside Campground. Quickly got organized and in the tent to get away from the mosquitoes.

16.06.2012 Ranch along Hwy 287

Day 23: Bozeman, MT to ranch on hwy 287

Saturday June 16, 2012, 81 miles (130 km) - Total so far: 1,387 miles (2,232 km)

Up at the normal time, had breakfast and an appreciative goodbye to my host and was on my way. I stopped by the Co-op on the way out of town and picked up some food. The ride started out nice and continued to be good. In fact the stretch between Bozeman, MT and Norris, MT was the best stretch I have had the whole trip so far. It was warm, but not too warm. The first descent was AMAZING. It then went down into a beautiful canyon. It get tight in sections but I felt safe. A Note though, I was heading west, going east seemed to be tighter than on my side of the road. So I do not know if I would have enjoyed it the same.

Stopped in Norris, MT for lunch, then the climbing began, but the advantage of todays climbs are the payoffs at the ends. As I got into Ennis, MT two other cyclists touring the Trans-Am (Charlie and Patrick) also came rolling in. I joined them for the rest of the day. We bumped into a camera crew claiming to be shooting a documentary for sci-fy about something or other. As we were stopped at a bar a ranch manager came up (Steve) and offered us to stop by and visit his ranch. This bar was the only time I was ever denied a refill of my water bottle but instead offered to sell a bottle of water.

We decided to take him up for the offer, and arrived in good time. The place is really amazing, sitting along the Madison River. After a delicious dinner cooked by Charlie, we sat around the table until after midnight sharing stories. These past couple days have been great.