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!