Hailing on our homecoming

DAY 44
Togwotee Mountain Lodge, WY to Old Faithful, WY

Becky and I met working in Yellowstone National Park in 2008. It feels like a lifetime ago, being that since then we've been together for close to six years and have worked, lived and travelled in numerous parts of this world together. No matter where we wander, Yellowstone will always hold a special place in our hearts. For this reason, having an opportunity to bicycle through truly feels like coming home.

Having worked in the park for three summers, I have witnessed ignorant, or if you want to call it what it is, dumb tourists on countless occasions. I'm not going to go through a list of bad decisions or stupid activities these folks would undertake. You can imagine the possibilities given the abundant wildlife and unique thermal features the park offers. However, on this list would undoubtedly be bicycling on these extremely busy, narrow (absolutely no shoulder) roads, alongside half a ton sized animals that regularly "interact" with cars. Look who's the dumb tourist now.

The sky can't seem to decide if it wants to rain or be sunny

3,000 miles!!!

My brother and our friend Josh drop us off halfway up Togwotee Pass where we'd gotten the flat two days earlier. We say our goodbyes and thank them for their trail magic. The day begins as an exact continuation of when we had gotten picked up, minus the freshly serviced bicycles and new tires each of us had acquired. The temperature sits right around 44 degrees and dark frightening clouds immediately pelt us with rain and later in the day marble sized hail. We pause briefly throughout the 86 miles to snack under a covered area in Flagg Ranch and again in Grant Village.

Jackson Lake

Knowing that we have a warm shower and dry floor to sleep on this evening is the only thing keeping us going. Our friend Lisa runs the photo tours out of Old Faithful and Lake Hotel. After warming up next to the fireplace in the Old Faithful Snow Lodge, she joins us for a couple of local beers as we visit. Refusing to let us sleep on the floor, she insists we take her bed as she sleeps on the floor. Thank you Lisa, it was wonderful catching up with you!

Becky trying to outrace the weather

Stats:
Miles: 86.14
Average speed: 11.8 mph
Max speed: 38.3 mph
Odometer: 3056 miles