Fourth Shift: Away from Arco, Finally in Fairfield

Although we were not sleeping in a tent last night we woke up cold and shivering if any part of our body was out of the sleeping bag. The temperatures in Arco dropped below the 40’s. When lying in a warm sleeping bag, aware of the brutal consequences of emerging from your warmth providing cocoon, you easily make the decision to sleep in. That is what we did. We slept until 8:30, when the Sun’s rays finally brought some warmth to the area. We left our gun toting, beer loving, and socially eccentric host with thanks and gratitude. Before we left the town, we stopped at the local gas station with doubled as a diner and truck stop and filled up on biscuits and gravy and cinnamon rolls.

We soon found ourselves on the road headed southwest. Our goal for the day was Fairfield, ID which was around 88 miles away. Although the sun was out, the air blowing from the south was chilly. It was cold enough to be uncomfortable but our pedaling made it too hot to put a sweater on, a catch 22. We ended up just bearing the cold and pedaling harder. After 20 miles we found ourselves in Craters of the Moon national monument. For miles around us the terrain changed into an unearthly landscape of jagged black and brown rock, remnants of an ancient volcanic eruption. While we would have loved to explore the region time did not allow us, we had 50 more miles to cover. Although we did take time utilize the visitor center to both fill and empty ourselves of water.

Around this time the winds began to increase and thus bringing down our speed. By 3 o’clock we had reached the town of Carey. We had bought a loaf of bread and can of Jelly at the grocery store in Arco and sat for lunch. For some reason, I could not eat as much as what I was working off, I managed only one sandwich while Sauder managed to eat 2 and a half. This mistake of under eating would bite me later. The most surprising thing at this gas station was the outrageous pries of their candy bars, 1.79!! Who would pay that? I sure did not.

Due to some tire and tube issues we were back on the road at 4 o’clock, far behind schedule. We had 44 miles left to bike. In Fairfield, a couple from Warm showers offered their spare house to use so we were eager to make it there tonight. Although we were tired from the headwind and annoyed by mechanical issues we pressed on. The wind had died down allowing us to make good time. As we came off a hill and around a turn, I noticed 4 touring bikes on the side of the road, fully loaded with gear but with no riders in site. We parked beside them and scouted the scrub desert and hills around us. For a few minutes we were puzzled. Did they go hiking and leave their bikes by the road?? We got the idea that if we just started yelling we might get a response, so we did. Soon we heard a response along with a arm sticking up waving from below a rock ledge down a hill. Soon a person came out and said they were down there. Sauder and I walked down the small dirt path beside volcanic rocks and dry brush to see the riders enjoying a crystal clear hot spring. This was quite a surprise; the spring was not visible from the road at all. These four riders were from all around the country, mostly friends from college and biking across America for charity, 3 guys and one girl. For the past 5 days we have met at least one rider per day, all heading east though.

So here we are, we finally made it to Fairfield. In town Sauder and I scarfed down a whole pizza and met our hosts. Tomorrow will be a rest day. We had not had a full day of rest since Casper, WY and those days were filled with the consequences of food poisoning. Each day we are nearing Oregon. Its hard to believe we have propelled ourselves this far with our own power. Well, here are some pictures!