2
Jun
2009
Casper, Douglas and A Visit From Friends
Last week we made the push to Casper, WY knowing that it would be the closest point all summer to Boulder and all our friends that live there. Hoping for a mid-trip, mid-country, reunion, we got on the horn and laid the guilt on as thick as we possibly could.
“Oh, we’ve biked so far, can’t you just drive a couple of hours up north to see us?”
“It’s, like, only 3 hours.” (It took them almost 5)
“No, yeah, you’re right, I mean, that is a lot of driving. I guess we should have just spent the extra two weeks riding our bicycles down to Boulder instead.”
As of Friday night, not a Boulder friend was biting.
Whitney had already driven up early Friday from Steamboat with loaves of banana bread, bags of cookies and five bowls of curried chicken salad (delicious and amazing). We spent much of dinner Friday night whining about our friends not making the drive to Wyoming.
While we rode the 52 miles to Douglas on Saturday, Whitney made her way ahead to town and conspired and configured a plan involving a car full of Boulder pals and a perfect campsite–funny how much more time in the day we’d have if we could just manage a zippin’ 75 mph on the Interstate. Well, low and behold we rolled into Douglas on Saturday afternoon to find a motley crew of Boulder’s finest lounging around a giant Jackalope in the center of town. Will, Jeff, Dan, Kristy and Ben had piled into Will’s Suby and hauled on up. It was awesome. You are all the very best of friends. Sorry for all our whining.
The best spot for group (loud) camping turned out to be about 25 miles outside of town in the Medicine Bow mountains. We parked the bikes at the police station–our best bet for security in a dodgy-looking-town– piled into two cars and headed south. It was a perfect reunion. Campfire, grilled meat, revelry, Wyoming stars and a little cooperation from the weather made it all happen. We couldn’t ask for any better….and thank you to WILL KUNTZELMANN, blog fan, blog reader, car driver, motivator and blog enthusiast.
We have been so lucky to have friends on our route and it makes this great trip all the more extraordinary to be able to share it with good folks along the way. It even softens the sting of hail and rain when your sleeping in a horse stall at the fairgrounds two days later in Lusk, WY. That was last night, and really, it wasn’t so bad.
Thanks again for coming to see us. Today we’re off to Nebraska. Over and out.
Kids in the park.
Picture of a picture. Happy crowd, minus Whitney, the Polaroid photog.
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- The horse stall at the Lusk fair grounds. A perfect solution to a rainy afternoon/evening.
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- Sam takes one for the team and empties the garlic sausage into pot for rice and red beans. Sam says the juice was worth the squeeze.
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- Hearts on the tarp in the stall. Doesn't get much better.
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- Manville's population just jumped to 100. And yeah, we realize the flex poses need some work.
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- Lunch in Lost Springs, WY.
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- Art.
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- More lunch in Lost Springs. Good grass, good scenery.
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- Photo review, before we all parted ways.
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- Borrowed this picture from Ms. Kristy Dietz. There's a little contrast here. Class vs one month on the road..
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- Will shakin' up the Jiffy Pop
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- Dark picture of an epic campfire hang.
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- BJ and a flaming marshmellow.
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- More campfire.
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- Sam practicing for our next trip through Idaho with a borrowed 22. Good form. photo: K. Dietz
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- In a foreign vessel commuting to the campsite. photo: K. Dietz
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- The Jackalope is Douglas' official town animal. They seem to love that mythical animal in these parts.
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- We had to ride on I-25 for 20 miles or so. The traffic wasn't bad but the long straight hills are hard on the brain.
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- Photo of a photo in action. They were having a modified lawn mower tractor pull in the park in Glenrock, WY. That makes it sound more interesting than it was...trust us.
CLAY! WE MISS YOU! CALL US! HOW DEM KNEES? CHICAGO?
Hi there…I am almost exactly one month behind you as I had surgery Dec. 4 in Miami Beach, FL. The warm weather helps and I certainly don’t have to deal with snow or ice. Question: On your second visit to the doc, did he give you the instruction to do weight bearing at your own pace or with specific limits, and if so, what were they? I am scheduled for Jan 20 visit when I am expected to do wb with crutches. Also, how early did you do exercises, massages, and PT? Finally, when did you start ice?
I appreciate any answers you give me.
Thanks,
Eric
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looks like a fun time with the crew- wish I was there to meet up with you guys and chat about the journey. have a safe ride through nebraska guys!
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I went on line after reading your twitter. found this on lightning safety:
If Caught Outdoors and No Shelter Is Nearby….
Find a low spot away from trees, fences, and poles. Make sure the place you pick is not subject to flooding.
If you are in the woods, take shelter under the shorter trees.
If you feel your skin tingle or your hair stand on end, squat low to the ground on the balls of your feet. Place your hands on your knees with your head between them. Make yourself the smallest target possible, and minimize your contact with the ground. (and call your mom…)