Category: Where’s Home?

Each year I’ve traveled to Omaha, I’m told the zoo is one of the world’s best. Being a weekday, we decide to try it. Last Saturday, it was so crowded, we skipped it.
We were happy to get tickets for half price since we are annual pass holders for the Living Desert.
It was a beautiful day to spend outside, walking four hours to visit all the exhibits. Our favorite area was the rainforest where there were monkeys, birds and bats. The setting was awesome.

We decided to try the Spaghetti Works. Fresh salad bar and gluten free pasta available. And the cheesecake! Drew could only eat half so we got a to-go box.
On the way home, we saw a billboard saying Chris Stapleton was playing tomorrow night. On a whim, we checked to see if any tickets were available at a reasonable price. The last concert we looked into was at the Acrisure Event center in Palm Desert. The tickets were really expensive. And to our surprise, we were able to get two seats. So excited. We love his voice and down to earth demeanor. Now that’s living life unScripted.
What another amazing day!!

While driving to return the Uhaul this morning, we saw emergency vehicles on the opposite side of the road. There were about 4 bikes laying on the greenway and someone being loaded into the paramedic vehicle on a stretcher. We were reminded how fragile life is and how quickly things can change while on the bike. It doesn’t take much…a rock, an uneven surface, a wet painted line or a change of position in the cyclist in front of you to cause you to fall. You’re up. You’re down. And this feat of physics-speed, angle, weight- cares not who you are, how many miles you’ve ridden in your life or how expensive your bike is-it is just the law of physics.

Rest day? Day off? Catch up day?? Off the bike day-that’s what this is.
As we travel southeast, temps will be higher. Having ridden RAGBRAI before, staying cool and hydrated is important. And with the bikes, we can carry more than on a normal road bike. We embark on how to carry an ice chest or cooler of some sort. A postal bubble wrap envelope? A hot/cold grocery bag? Last year, we had a battery box that we used to protect fans we used in the tent. With the fans out, it became our ice chest after the ride. A trip to the local Safeway, we found the hot/cold bag but it wasn’t going to work. There, they had a 12 pack foldable ice chest. It zipped closed and fit perfectly in the trunk over the bike’s rear wheel. Success!!

It was a torrid night filled with bizarre lights flashing, swirling against the tent walls. Lightening flashes mixed with the lights from the trucks on the road…the sound of thunder pounding, jake brakes shuttering , tires on the tarmac, the stream nearby…brewed a fitful sleep. Listening to Drew’s breathing wrought with congestion. Light rain pinging. All a bit of sensory overload.
Morning could not come soon enough.
At the break of dawn, we were up and breaking camp with few words spoken. Our routine has become perfected. Coffee is 5 miles away. Into a headwind.

Up and out early, we decided to try riding without morning coffee and breakfast. We are still traveling above 5,000 foot elevation. Custer is just 10 miles away so we thought we’d try it. We made it!!
Had a quick, delicious breakfast at Calamity Jane’s
coffee Shop. While there, a bee is trapped inside and travels along the window searching for a way out. After 15 minutes, I lifted him onto the coffee cup lid and took him outside. There were several children in the coffee shop. How do you find out that your child is allergic to a bee sting? After their first sting and they have a reaction. I’d prefer not to experience that his morning.

Riding the trail presented some of its own unique challenges. On a bicycle, one needs to carefully pick a ‘line’-a course that is least likely to have debris and hazards. Avoiding deep ruts, crossing cattle guards and railroad tracks at 90 degree angles and watching for stickers that can puncture a tire is paramount. But this morning, there was a new hazard-multiple piles of cow pies! It was like an obstacle course! lol! Not before long, we came across a herd of cattle traveling along the trail. One cow-the matriarch-was traveling in the opposite direction bellowing at the others. A few responded with comments but for the most part, they and the babies continued forward.

Leaving our little cabin nestled in the woods was bittersweet. The trees smelled so good and were teeming with birds. The campground had a few baby goats and a donkey for the kids to pet. The goats thought everyone was there to feed them. They were adorable.
Should we return to the Michelson Trail for our return or take the highway? The trail guarantees no grade greater than 4% but the road is a smoother surface with less rolling resistance. We chose the highway.
Oh my! Within 1 hour 11 minutes, we had traveled 6 miles and climbed 1,304 feet! Now that’s a way to start the day!!
It was fun to ride through the towns we saw yesterday from the trail.

The trail had a fair number of people riding. Since it is a rail trail, the grade never exceeded 4%. Flowers were blooming on both side of the path and oftentimes, we found ourselves riding through the forest. We met a lovely couple-Scott and Kristen- who are riding the trail as well. They shared they were relatively new to cycling. How exciting to see someone discover the magic of the bike!

Deep in the pedals, we continue on Hwy 85 turning on Hwy 18 not not before seeing the most amazing site ever!! So, we have begun a pattern of taking short breaks by turning into side streets and driveways since the roads we are traveling don’t have stop signs or traffic lights. It gives us a chance to get out of the saddle and relax a minute. Off in the distance, we see a pull out but there’s are vehicle there. Not terribly unusual but we are always watchful. As we get closer, the two people are waving. And I realize it’s Mark and Roxanne from home!!My legs are no longer tired and we pull up to wonderful hugs! They have traveled out of their way just to see us and say hello.

The food was really good- burger and fries/ chicken salad. The next two hours were spent doing the usual-phone calls, charging items, setting things up for the morning and then the alerts started coming over the phone. It’s 8:48 PM. TORNADO WARNING!!
What?!! This is really foreign to me! Within minutes, it starts to rain. The sky is filled with thunder and lightening. The lightening is so frequent- every 2-3 seconds, it reminds of a kid playing with a light switch. And the downpour and heavy wind followed by hail. I have never seen anything like this!! We watch and try to capture as much footage as possible. This lasts about an hour. Then is all stops, as fast as it started. Wow! Just wow! We turn in for the evening, grateful for a room over our heads and a dry place to sleep.

Multitasking the day’s events, we also included a walk to downtown. Being a holiday, almost everything was closed. We did get lunch and a cup of coffee. Once back, we indulged in an afternoon nap. Sometimes you don’t realize how tired you are until you slow down. It was a little slice of heaven. Now late afternoon, we plan a low key evening, repacking the bikes and preparing for the morning. The weather is predicting headwinds tomorrow so it may be a tough day.

Today will be a light day so we can make lots of stops, photos and play more!
We get to the North Platt river bridge and Drew launches the drone. Within seconds, the swallows from the nearby overpass go crazy and storm the drone. The flight lasts 90 seconds, bringing it down before an incident occurs. We can’t wait to share this with you on our YouTube channel.

We travel along several historic sites: Split Rock, Muddy Gap, the intersection of the California Trail/Oregon Trail/Pony Express/Morman Pioneer. Martins Cove.
As we get closer to Alcova, we are riding along a huge ranch-Pathfinder Ranch. There are signs identifying the ranch about every mile. It went on forever.
And along the way, on both sides of the raid was a type of brush blooming with yellow flowers that smelled sweet, like honeysuckle. What a joy to have a sweet smell to enjoy!

Set under the trees and near a river, the tent was a perfect serene setting for a peaceful night’s sleep. The sun rose and birds sang. Time for the next day’s adventure.
Breakfast at the Cowboy Cafe was even better with Dick and Nancy Riddle nearby. They are from the area and share many insights into its history and local activity.
We are still at 6,000 feet plus elevation. We roll out into a beautiful sunny day. About 10 miles out of town, the National Museum of Military Vehicles is to our left. We stop by and discover what an amazing collection it has. We are told it takes hours to see everything. It looked amazing.

Up we go. In the first four miles and nearly one hour, we climbed nearly 1,000 feet. With the bikes loaded, we want to pace ourselves. Pushing harder serves to make us lightheaded. The last thing we need to do is pass out on the side of the road! More Beware of Bears signs. The camp host sent us off this morning with this advice: Just remember to go downhill. You might be able to outrun them that way. I keep surveying the terrain. Which way is downhill?
As vehicles pass us, we can hear the engines working hard…shifting down gear after gear.
I think about what I’m experiencing. I never would have imagined I would have the opportunity to ride my bike here…to see this beautiful country this way.

We are nearing a month on the bike and could not be happier. The bikes have handled amazingly, we have been blessed with great weather with minimal rain and we feel great. Drew has dropped some weight adjusting his belt loops a number of times and my arm sleeves keep falling down. We expected this would happen so we’re not concerned. Our legs/hips seem more muscular and we seem to be able to climb in bigger gears. So very grateful!
Last night, we went through all our ‘stuff’ and are mailing home things we no longer need like the Adventure Cycling Adventures maps, receipts and a bird’s nest.
Thanks to all our friends who have shared their experiences on their TransAm rides. We have not found ourselves wishing we had something or carrying anything extra. Like Goldilocks ” This bed’s just perfect!”

Jackson, Wyoming—a picturesque mountain town that serves as the gateway to the stunning Grand Teton National Park. With its stunning backdrop of the Teton Range and charming, Western-style architecture, Jackson exudes a unique blend of natural beauty and small-town charm. The town offers a wealth of outdoor adventures, from skiing and hiking to wildlife viewing and river rafting. Explore the vibrant town square, where you’ll find eclectic shops, renowned restaurants, and art galleries showcasing local talent. With its welcoming atmosphere and breathtaking surroundings, Jackson invites you to experience the heart of Wyoming’s wild beauty and immerse yourself in the spirit of the American West.

This morning, as we broke camp, a squirrel became quite curious about our activities. Trying to bring it closer, I tried mimicking his sounds and before I knew it, he was so close I thought he’d jump on me! What a fun way to start the day!
We learned the one minute-two minute rule today. While stopping for a quick break and get off the saddle, one minute is perfect. At two minutes, the legs have already gone cold and starting again is uncomfortable! The legs are stronger now. The body adapts to it’s activities and we are now able to climb in bigger gears. It feels so good!

We head to the entrance of West Yellowstone. It is such a beautiful park. We see bison in the distance and several fly fishermen. Old Faithful did not disappoint and we saw a bison cross the street in front of us 30 yards away. We crossed the
Continental divide twice and had so much fun with a raven who entertained us while we waited in a construction zone. He was the size of an eagle and showed no fear of us.

Welcome to West Yellowstone, Montana—a charming gateway town that offers a unique blend of adventure and natural beauty. Situated just outside the west entrance of Yellowstone National Park, West Yellowstone is the perfect base for exploring one of America’s most iconic landscapes. With its rugged mountain backdrop and picturesque streets, this welcoming town provides easy access to the park’s geothermal wonders, wildlife, and scenic vistas. Beyond the park, visitors can enjoy local attractions such as the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center, charming shops, and cozy dining spots.

We are headed to Quake Lake that formed based on a 7.5 earthquake in 1959. I had never heard of it. 28 people died in the Night of Terror. The visitor center had wonderful information. They offered books about the area and events. My brain is so hungry to learn more but for now, I just want to capture enough so I can come back. A quick stop at the ladies room and an ant appeared, rather spent, on the leg of my bike shorts. Did you just drop from the ceiling or have you been a hitchhiker since the road relief stop outside of Cameron? Ant in my pants?? Ant or mosquito? I don’t care! Just stop biting me!!