Thursday, July 4, 2013

July 4 - Jeff

Shout out for Happy 4th of Jooly.  Heard there is a “little” rain occurring in NK.  Sorry about your bad luck.  Out here, they would love to have your luck.  We are staying at a city called Sheridan Lake.  Only thing missing is water in the lake.  Hasn’t rained here significantly since 1999 they say.  You go over a creek along the road.  Sign will say something like Sandy Creek.  Guess what’s missing?  You got it.  Water.  The phrase “drier than a bone” does not do it justice.  Most of the scenery today resembled the moon. 

Some odds and ends.  In Breckinridge, we got to see the world’s highest floating restaurant.  We went through Alma, the world’s highest incorporated city.  And today, going through Brandon, they boast the world’s smallest jail.  We could not stop to check it out because Jack was worried about a little unsolved business in Lexington a few years ago.

Last night we stayed in a campground where we mentioned we were the only campers.  The guy who owns it moved here from New York after a career as an investigative agent.  He has been here for 32 years.  He bought this ranch/farm and lots of property.  All the water rights and water was sold to companies out of Denver and Colorado Springs and his land is a dried up wasteland.  His wife died last January.  His name was Warren and he was a great guy.  Even let us take things out of his garden.

We left Ordway early today, about 5:30.  We have made some changes in our routine. We are going to try to begin earlier to get more time in before it gets hot and to beat the traffic if need be.  Although the traffic has not been an issue.  I think we saw on the average of one car every 15 minutes along our route today.  We are also trying to ride separately.  That way, each can go at their own pace.  For instance, nobody can keep up with Jack the Machine.  He is usually 1 mile ahead of me.  He is up there pedaling like he is just a tourist while I am back there going “don ta don ta don don”.  Think Wizard of Oz.  I think today I even saw him riding backwards for a while out of boredom.   Seemed to work out well today.

Today, we went through Sugar City (pop 258), Arlington (even had a cemetery called Arlington Cemetery), Haswell (pop 68), Eads (pop 609), Chivington, Brandon (pop 21), and then into Sheridan Lake (pop 88).  These towns are deserted.  Nothing going on.  Nothing open.  Really depressing.  Didn’t know these places were so desolate, isolated, and just poor.   Lots of headwind today again.  We went about 90 miles. Didn’t get coffee until Eads, and that was gas station coffee.  Some of the water we get looks and tastes a little suspicious, but we drink it anyway.   What’s the worst that can happen?  As I mentioned before, scenery resembled the moon.  We went from the shores of Oregon to this.  Full circle. Saw a couple deer and antelope.      I mentioned a lot of road kills yesterday.  We saw at least 3 dead cats along the side of the road.  Unusual.

In Sheridan, we are staying at the Sheridan Lake Bible Church.   They take in bikers.  We get to sleep on the floor in a room with AC.  No tents.  God bless America.  The pastor and his family are super nice.  Even gave us gifts.  Water bottles.  We get use of their facilities.  But no showers again.  Tonight, there is a parade at 5:30 and a potluck at 6:30.  And we’re invited.  Isn’t this a great country? 

Been on  the road since June 8..  We have 26 days in at the halfway point.  Of course, all downhill from here.  Ha ha.

Jeff, Jerry, Jack, and Sue 

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