Lessons from kansas

DAY 40
Rawlins, WY to Lander, WY

I can see why some people don't like Wyoming. It's a dry barren land with no significant cities or population. While some people see these as negatives, I see these as positives. Endless views, fresh air, and no one to cramp your style. Most people don't know this, but Wyoming is also a very progressive state. They were the first state to give women the right to vote and equal rights is stamped right there in the state seal encircled by an American Bison on their flag.

First time crossing the Continental Divide for the day

Bright sunny morning

Second Continental Divide crossing

Anywhere you go in the world there's some pretty parts and there's some not so pretty parts. Most of my time spent in Wyoming has been in the beautiful North Western section of the state. I've driven through other parts in the south that are desolate and unattractive. This is what I expected to find on today's ride. Much to my surprise, I found an amazing landscape full of unique rock formations, meandering mountain rivers and colorful badlands. To top it off, the different hues of blue the sky can evoke, along with the playful, menacing, and harmless cloud formations all at once create a picture that words can't describe.

Split Rock formation

Mormon Handcart Historic Site

As we finish our day by 2:30, we come to a stop at Sweetwater Station, a National Historic Site focusing on the Mormons' exodus out west. We sit at the picnic table desperately fending off the thousand blood sucking mosquitos. Dirty B and Flats arrive ten minutes later informing us they're continuing another 39 miles down route to Lander. We've already traveled 86 miles today. That would run the total mileage to a staggering 125 miles, at least. Becky's been bullied into extra miles too many days in a row. I don't expect her to move another inch. 

The pros and cons of continuing on are being weighed. I'm game, today's ride was fairly easy and it would be nice to break up the planned 112 mile day tomorrow. The pros pile up to the point where we can't afford to not go. The mosquitos here are overwhelming, the Mormon historical interpreters are overbearing, and the difficult long day tomorrow will be broken up. The town of Lander has free camping, showers and a microbrewery. But the determining factor was the American flag which hung limp from its pole. One of the interpreters walking by states that you almost never see that around these parts. If we learned anything from Kansas, this right here is the test. Becky's on her feet like it's her idea to go on.

Stats for the day: Four exhausted cyclists, 130 miles, first shower in five days, a well deserved burger and local beer from the Lander Brewery.

We were exhausted, but it was a very scenic ride into Lander

Stats:
Miles: 130.52
Average speed: 14 mph
Max speed: 42 mph
Odometer: 2852 miles