Mile 6438 Last Day of Vacation

We spent the weekend outside of Milwaukee, WI and Sean and I raced in Milwaukee for the last weekend of Super Week. Todd and Sean pressured me into hoping in the women's race and I was able to sustain the attacks until the the last 500 meters. I finished an admirable 18th. The women's fields were large and smooth as butter! I enjoyed the race and was happy I still had my crit skills, although my legs were not up to par. Sean raced the evening pro race and finished 35th. It was a solid finish after not racing for three weeks. He finished mid pack on Saturday evening, so was happier he had some flow and followed moves Sunday. Both of his fields had over 100 racers. You can see from the pictures he was near Justin Williams of Rock Racing before the race, who won $7,000 prime on Saturday night. Can you believe it was that much money! We're in IN until next week when we head to Clemson. It was a great trip and thanks to all that followed our journey. Sean has some serious Tour to watch since we were gone the month of July! :)

Mile 6120 Day 16

Thursday night was our last time in the tent for our summer trip. It was sad to think the trip had a conclusion, although I will be happy to see my folks, woofs, and girls in the South. It was a great night! The air was cool, frogs loud on the lake, and a light breeze. I could have done without the drunk party on 2 wheels blaring really bad bluegrass, but what camping trip is complete without some annoying people and a story to tell. We had breakfast in Iowa City at the Hamburger. We were told it is a famous eatery where presidents visit and campaign, and sure enough the pictures on the wall proved it! Obama was in there last with a large photo. Some guys from RAGBRI showed up to eat to with a cooler, smoker, and sink on their bikes. It was crazy! We drove to Jefferson, WI to stay with an old friend from SIU. It was great to see Todd and cruise around the town on bikes like old times. Sean attributes his climbing skills to chasing Todd around Southern Illinois. The greyhounds minded the house while we were gone...clearly a rough life! Sean races tomorrow evening in Milwaukee and we'll go to watch. Good times!

Mile 5810 Day 15

On Thursday we left the hotel early and drove to Iowa City to make the group ride. We decided not to go to Milwaukee via Minnesota to save gas and ride in a group ride. Although Sean denied it, I feel he wanted to return to Iowa City to redeem himself from the group ride we attempted on the first day of our trip. I decided to stay at the campsite and relax hoping my cold would finish its course. Surprisingly, while we were trying to find the State Park we saw 1000's of cyclists, which means the famous RAGBRAI, the ride across Iowa. What are the chances? That night a group of the traveling cyclists spent the night at the same campsite. They were loud and drunk! We were hoping to return the favor; however, they were up and on their bikes when we got up. Although good friends have tried to get us to join the traveling drunk circus on 2 wheels in the past, I can for certain say now, "it's not really for us." We loved watching it though! Sean had a great ride in town and showed without his wife and hurricane like conditions he can win the local weekly ride! Funny side note the guy in this You Tube video (click to watch) is the same one who showed us the ropes at the bike shop and rode with Sean on the group ride. He said the second hit hurt the worst, but is recovering! Ouch!

Mile 5425 Day 14

On Wednesday we drove, and then drove some more. We left Cheyenne,Wyoming in the morning, wishing we could have stayed for the Frontier Festival (not to be confused with the crazy Mormon Pioneer Day Festival). The police were blocking the roads for the cattle drive into downtown. I walked around some cowgirl shops and thought to myself, "I could live here!" Sean may have to adjust, but the cowboy hats, big belt buckles, and cowgirl bling bling is right up my alley! I could barrel race in a rodeo every weekend, although my Dad pointed out I may be to old to handle the rodeo again. Most of our trip consisted of the the flat plains with a lot of alternative energy plants. We decided to get a hotel room due to the heat and rain. We found a little Greek eatery and a laundry mat. I am typing this while watching a woman, who is finished with her laundry, watch Dog & The Bounty Hunter (a show my brother Brett and wife Christy turned us onto and LOVE IT), a trucker type with his jeans hanging to low neatly folding his clothes, and an old woman wiping down every machine she uses with bleach wipes before her clothes enter. I forget how interesting people are to watch. Tomorrow we decided to drive North to Minnesota in search of relief from the heat and rain. We hope to find a group ride and campsite. Friday we drive into Milwaukee to stay with friends and Sean will be racing with fresh legs.

Mile 4765 Day 14

We left Ogden Tuesday morning for the long drive through Wyoming. We called a bike shop to inquire about mountain biking in East Wyoming and hit the jackpot! We checked out the University of Wyoming in Laramie, which is a great college town and then 20 minutes down the road set-up camp in Happy Jack, WY. There were miles and miles of single track mountain bike trails, 2 reservoirs that allowed water skiing but no swimming (hmmm?), and an abundance of wildlife. Sean mountain biked when we arrived, but I was still not 100% so I waited until Wednesday morning. He bit the dust when his leg met a large rock. There was some bruising and skin loss, but will not stop his future race plans. I think it was the chipmunk capital of the world! We also saw mule deer, prairie dogs, and coyotes. There were mountain lion tracks on the bike trail towards the end of our ride. It must have freaked me out because I ran up a rabbit that hit my leg and I screamed as if I was being attacked. I envisioned a lion hanging out on top of one of rocks waiting to pounce me as a domestic cats . The Gowdy State Park in Happy Jack was incredible! Imagine large rocks, prairies, pointy fur trees, and patched of hills with large aspens. I think it may be a secret mountain bike heaven.

Day 13

We had a great day relaxing in the morning at the coffee shop (Sean rode another mountain). In the afternoon we kayaked down the Weber River outside of Ogden. The water was FAST and fun. Sean and I had made a bet earlier in the week, in which I owed him the National deficit. I was happy to bet him double or nothing on the first person to fall out of the kayak. Lucky for me he was dumped 2x and I was off the hook! With the mortgage crisis recovery package I could really owe him a lot! The Weddell's go big when we bet! Thanks to Jack and Lisa for a great time! We start heading West on Tuesday.

Day 11 and 12

We are staying in Ogden until Tuesday. Unfortunately, I have come down with a nasty head cold. I was unable to play the last two days and have suffered through cold sweats, headaches, and a sore throat. Sean was able to ride on Saturday in the mountains. He was told the group ride left at 6am, if you can believe that. People rolled in around 7am and he was able to do some climbing. Saturday evening we visited Antelope Island on the Great Salt Lake. Jack and Sean refused to walk the half mile to the lake, which may have been a good idea. As you can see there were swarms of gnat like flies all around the lake. Lisa and I walked down in the heat and sand to at least say we did it. On Sunday Lisa an Jack challenged us to a double tennis game, in which Sean and I lost horribly. It's been at least 10 years for both of us. Needless to say the morning drained me and I spent most of the day on Sunday in bed trying to recover. Monday we plan to kayak and get outside!

Mile 4365 Day 10

We left the Kiel's on Friday to drive to Odgen, Utah. We spent all this time in the National Parks looking for wildlife and right before we left Idaho there was a large black moose in the front yard. We all watched as he trotted along out of sight and made sure the woofs were up. It was really cool! Thanks to the Kiel's for a great time! We arrived at Lisa and Jack's in the evening, after a short 4 hour drive, and had time for a quick hike and mountain bike ride.

Day 9

On Thursday we mountain biked on some of the sweetest single track in the country. Friends Eric and Jeannie, although busy with work, were able to sneak out for the ride. Afterward Sean and I hung around Sun Valley. Later in the evening we went to an outdoor concert featuring the Almond Brothers guitarist, Derek Trucks and wife, Susan Tedeschi of Soul Stew Revival . We had a great time meeting their friends and having a picnic on the lawn. Friday we drive to Odgen, Utah to visit a friend from Clemson.

Day 8

Today, I don't even know what day it is (maybe Wednesday), we played in the Sawtooth National Forest on Redfish lake, fed by the famous Salmon River. Sean got up with Eric and Jeannie to swim a few laps at Master's swim practice. I heard he was making the intervals hard, one reason I chose to stay in bed. Sean then rode three hours above the mountain pass to meet us by lake (about 50 miles and an 8,900 feet mountain away). After we put the boat on the lake, Eric secured a campsite with boat only access for the weekend. We were lucky and got there just in time as a few other boats were lurking behind. We learned how to surf behind the boat using a long board. Look at the beautiful mountains behind us. We finished the day with an awesome steak dinner, that even a food snob like Danna would approve of. What a great day!

Mile 4003 Day 7

On Monday night we found a great mountain bike and camp site per recommendation of the local bike shop in Missoula, Montana. We spent the afternoon at a coffee shop and hanging out in the college town. On the way into Montana we drove near Flathead lake and decided when we hit the lottery, that is where we will live. We stopped and took a quick dip in the freezing 50 degree water. Outside of town we stayed at Lake Como, a man made lake with a great mountain bike trail surrounding it. The camping was primitive, but we were able to take a "cold" swim in the lake to clean up. Unfortunately, there was a group of young kids camping next to us who kept us up during the night. We were happy to return the favor at 7am the next morning with loud music, slamming car doors, and a lot of talking. It started to rain when we left the site, so the evil side of me hopes they got wet! We made it to our friends in Hailey, ID early in the afternoon. We are happy to have some down time and a bed to sleep in.

Mile 3033 Day 6

Today we had the entire day in the park. Sean left in the morning to ride up to Many Glacier, which is in the very North of the park. There is only one access road to that area. Sean realized that is where all the “hardcore” backpackers stayed and no trendy tourists. He saw a grizzly and two cubs high in the mountains and said the views were spectacular. I choose to go to Logan pass and do an easy 3 mile hike so we could return to our base at the same time. I took the park shuttle to Logan pass and was disappointed to see the entire area covered in snow. In fact, this has been one of snowiest springs they have ever had. Logan pass is the only road that goes through the park and it opened last week for the first time this year. I saw numerous people attempting to do the hike, but I choose not to. First, I didn’t have my hiking boots or walking sticks, and second the line of people walking straight up hill without any tree line reminded me of the crowded peaks of Mt. Everest as people slowly make their way to the peak. I was not interested in being around so many people! So I waited, for what seemed to take forever, for the shuttle bus. I returned three hours later frustrated and irritable. I hiked along a trail by our car and enjoyed one of the many fast, cold flowing streams to find my center. After we joined up we both took showers, for the bargain price of $1.25 for 8 minutes, and ate at the park inn. A young girl about 6 or 7 and her mother were in the shower area (there was only 1 shower) and as I waited she told me she hadn’t taken a shower since Friday. I mentioned it may have been 3 or 4 days for me and she said Mommy, “can you believe she hasn’t taken a shower in that long!” It was a good laugh and I certainly agreed with her. Luckily, we have been taking what Rosie kindly refers to as a “whores bath” everyday. Showers are a luxury here. I have happy to have regular toilets, running faucets, and drinking water most days. We decided lunch would be our main meal today. We try to only pay for one meal a day and eat the rest out of the cooler, and yes, sometimes we eat more than one PB&J a day. Then we got back in the car to visit the other side of the park, almost 43 miles. The drive was spectacular and rugged. When we stopped at the Logan pass visitor center it was 5x as crowded as when I had visited in the morning. We got our picture taken at the continental divide sign and were off. The congestion and crowding intensified as we drove on. We realized that most people must enter from the West (since it is close to the interstate) and drive to Logan pass then turn around. We felt fortunate for staying on the East side with less people and more solitude. We ended the day with a 4 mile hike to Avalanche Lake. Before our hike we were able to secure a campsite at the Avalanche campgrounds and it was nice to not have to drive to the trailhead. The hike was enjoyable walking along a fast flowing water fall until the lake; however, the trails were extremely crowded. When we returned to the campsite and ate our delicious turkey sandwiches (I am very envious of camp fire meals) we had enough time to make another interpretive talk in which the ranger discussed the culture of the local Indians. The mountains in this area are called by the Indians as the backbone of the land. They come to the mountains for visions. I can certainly understand how these mountains could talk to you and reveal your destinations in life. Tomorrow we are doing a long 8 mile hike early in the morning and then driving to South Montana. I am looking forward to seeing friends and driving less; however, feel a sense of loss as we leave. I hope to return one day and spend more time in the backcountry.

Mile 3029 Day 5

We left Roundup, Montana this morning (Saturday) after getting a great night sleep and down home hardy breakfast at the local Busy Bee Café. There was even a drive through espresso shop where cowboys could be spotted riding up on their horses for a cup of Joe. It took us about 4 hours to drive to Glacier National Park. We went through the town of Billings, which is an Indian reservation. It was sad to see the poverty that this culture has sustained. It’s one thing to read books about Indian troubles, but quite another to witness first hand the devastation these people have endured as the Europeans settled the West, and one we struggle with as we visit. We try to be respectful, not stare, and respect their sacred mountains. Glacier is one of the most spectacular places I have ever seen. Words can not describe how magnificent and majestic these mountains are. Often we don’t think they even look real. We have been fortunate to have incredible weather with highs in the mid 70s and lows in the 40s, with clear blue skies. Let’s hope this trend continues so we don’t have to try our rain tarp out in the middle of the night! We entered Glacier through the East side called St. Mary’s. We camped in the Rising Sun and were able to secure a camp site. You can see from the picture below we had a million dollar view out our tent door. A short hike is all we had time for before sunset. The ranger recommended St. Mary’s falls and Virginia falls. Once again we were amazed at how we had most the trail to ourselves. The views of the lakes, mountains, and falls were breathtaking. After returning to the campsite and eating another cold dinner of lunch meat and chips, we went to an interpretive talk at the camp amphitheatre. It was great to see a young female ranger leading the talk. She discussed the relationship humans and bears have had over the past 200 years ending with how we coexist with them in the park today. Of course the talk ended with safety tips about encountering bears. There are approximately 250 grizzlies and 500 black bears in Glacier not including the deer, moose, mountain lions, and mountain goats. As you may know I don’t have a strong fear of bears, but more of mountain lions. Nevertheless, it was good to be reminded about all the extra safety precautions. It was exciting to realize that very few places on this earth allow you to encounter so many wild animals and we feel lucky to be at such a place.

2667 Miles Day 4

Thursday night as we laid in the tent we heard animals forging around in the woods. The campsite owner warned us of the mountain lions in the area, but assured us there were enough deer to keep them satisfied enough to avoid humans, but just to be safe not to walk around at night. So when the sounds intensified and snorting started we became concerned. Sean thought it may be a black bear, a critter we can coexist with; however, the mountain lion visions danced in my heads late into the night. I was thankful to see the sunrise and the tent, and me, intact. We saw a large herd of mule deer in the morning and figured that is what we heard, or at least we can convince ourselves of that. Friday morning Sean went for a rode ride in the mountains and I stayed at the campsite to put on the finish touches of a journal article due Monday. We left by lunch and traveled almost 400 miles through Wyoming into Montana. The trip on HWY 90 proved to be a challenge. The wind was gusting up to 50mph as we drove 75mph (the state speed limit). Outside of Sheridan, Wyoming the far left bike rack was ripped off the car. Luckily the bike fell off the back and we were able to pull off the road. Thankfully it was Sean's mountain bike and neither of our road bikes. The bike was unharmed; however, there is a dent in the car and now new cargo in the VW. We stopped in Sheridan and the bike shop called Yakima. There will be a new rack waiting for us in Haily, ID when we stop to see friends. Until then we have no extra space in the car and have to maneuver around a dirty mountain bike to get food. All of this adventure has taken a tool on us and we decided to get a hotel room. I know, I know. I am no longer in my 20s and can handle the gypsy lifestyle as I once could. We found a $45 room in Roundup, Wyoming. This is a little ghost town, but the accommodations are nice. We even have wireless Internet! The manager has 2 golden retrievers that made us miss our woofs. Check out the room, it's so 1970's! I know Caroline is the only one who could truly appreciate the character. I have given in and am happy to have a King size bed, a bathtub, and may even shave and blow dry my hair! The domesticated life has taken over. The other occupants of the Hotel pass the time sitting outside their rooms in plastic chairs provided by the hotel. Tomorrow we have a long drive to Glacier National Park. We have to arrive early to get a campsite. Let's hope we make it!

2278 Miles Day 3

Today, Thursday 7/10, we had a few fiascoes! We had a great night at the Badlands and enjoyed our interpretive show at 9pm in the outdoor amphitheater; however, the family camping next to us set of their car alarm twice in the middle of the night. Lovely! Then I wake up after Sean and as I drag myself out of the tent I notice the entire contents of the car are on the ground...at like 6am! He proceeds to rant and rave about losing the key to the bike racks. I spent another 1/2 hour searching over in case he had missed them. Soo...we drove into Rapid City and called a lock smith. The funny part was the only bike locked was Sean's road bike. The locksmith picked it for a bargain of $10! We stopped at the local bike shop to locate the best local mountain bike trail. Just out of town was a sweet 12 mile loop in the Blackhills. Considering how little sleep I am getting and the long days in the car, my legs were not happy when I started the ride. I warmed up though and couldn't get over how beautiful of a day it was! Despite the beauty, the thermometer rose to the upper 90s and started to roast me. I had the bonk of all bonks about 3 miles from the finish. The only thing keeping me going to the weight of legs on each pedal strong, that is if I was on the biking and not walking! It was embarrassing and horrible! I kept telling Sean to ride to the car and I would find him. He said he was concerned about my ability to do so and stayed with me. I think I averaged about 1mph the last mile. We drove down the mountain and saw Mt. Rushmore then through Custer State Park thinking we find a campsite by a lake. Custer State Park is BEAUTIFUL; however, everyone else thinks so too. There were no vacancy's. Take a couple with no sleep, a bonking hungry Melissa, and at a splash of Weddell and Huston we have a problem! Luckily, we found a private site off the main road and are happy to report we have showers and a laundry facility! We head to Montana tomorrow and Glacier on Saturday.

2067 Miles Day 2

Today was a long day in the car. We drove over 10 hours to reach the Badlands. It was well worth the long journey through the baron lands of South Dakota. We had a great hike that ended at sunset and saw 4 deer. Tomorrow will be mountain biking in the Black Hills.

1517 Miles Day 1

We left Indiana around 10am. Thanks to Mom for a great dinner at the Olive Garden the night before we left; however, the heavy dinner made it impossible to do any late night packing. Once on the road we remembered what we forgot, which included the tent rain cover in SC, the bike pump, laundry detergent, and my rain jacket. NICE! The miles went fast and we decided to try to hit a group ride in Iowa City, the home of the University of Iowa. It was a typical group ride with about 30 guys, no girls, and a lot of testosterone. We started the ride with dark clouds looming above. The group rode away from the storm in an attempt to stay dry, but to no avail. We turned out of town on a country road straight into a head wind with sheets of rain drenching us. Unfortunately, I got dropped and Sean had to come back and drag me in. We met a guy who had lived in Carbondale during the 1908s and was friendly enough to direct us back to our car. I find cyclist in the back of the pack to be the friendliest and most helpful, a scenario Sean has never had to experience. Needless to say it was a rough ride! Iowa City is very progressive with sidewalks and bike paths laced throughout the city. Iowa is a smoke free state and has wireless at all rest stops. Beautiful country with progressive ideas…a nice surprise! We stopped at a Lowe’s to pick up a tarp in case another storm rolled in overnight. We camped at a roadside RV park, happy to have a shower and laundry area considering we were covered in road dirt and looked like salt licks. We head to the Badlands in South Dakota next. It will be a long day of driving, but the good news is gas is around $3.78 for super unleaded due to higher ethanol content. The money we save on gas will wash out considering the drag of 4 bikes on the roof.