Into The West

Last night we stayed at Fort Robinson State Park. We had our first warm shower in five days. It’s amazing how much can become caked on human skin after that many days and that many hours. The past week, we have been stuck in Nebraska, due to mechanical issues and severe weather, so today we were excited to be entering Wyoming. The first 6 miles, we got a taste of what will be awaiting for us in Wyoming, a long and steep climb. What at first glance looked like long yet gradual hill, turned into a hour long climb up a mountain. Around each turn we expected it to level out but it did not. What also did not help was seeing a sign that proclaimed, “scenic overlook, 2 miles”, which ultimately meant two miles more of climbing. Once we reached the top, we again expected by intuition, a steep and amazing descent. What comes up must come down right? This was not so, while the view to the valley we had just come out of was spectacular, seeing the fruits of our aching legs and burn legs turn into a plateau of rolling plain was disappointing.

Also, for the previous days, the winds had been from the South and Southwest, today they were from the north, right when our route, (highway 20) , heads north. While it was not debilitating like the storms a few days prior, it was annoying. After miles of steep mountain climbing and conquering countless rolling hills, we entered the town of Harrison, 10 miles from the Wyoming border. The grocery store there was straight out of the 1920’s, antique shelves and cupboards, however it was stocked with every manner of modern snacks, foods, and drink. Buying meat and bread, we ate ourselves full and took a long nap in the park. However, at this point we were only at 25 miles, our goal being 75.  Crossing into Wyoming was an exciting experience, we had a long descent which took some thunder from the head wind. Our primary goal was the small city of Lusk, the county seat of the least populate county in the least populated state. Pulling into this town we were doggedly tired, hungry and just sick of sitting in the saddle, however, our mileage was only 55. Eating at subway, taking time to stock up on extra water, we pressed into the wild. The next biggest city is 50 miles away, we met our goal and now we are stopped in Wyoming field, camp set up and ready to rest. Our primary goal tomorrow is Casper, but we might not make it. So that was the adventure today!