Day 18
Up at 5:30 this morning I slept well last night but it was a little bit cool. There’s no blankets or covers on the beds here and since I didn’t unpack my sleeping gear I just slept in my puffy jacket with my rain jacket over me. But, that was good enough. I went outside last night to go to the bathroom and looked up and it’s so dark here—the sky was clear and you can actually see the Milky Way in the sky. I should have set up my GoPro and took a night lapse of the sky. Next time I’m in the middle of nowhere with no light noise I’m going to do that.
Also last night I got woke up by an airplane flying over low buzzing the campground. I came out looked and it was one of those crop duster airplanes flying over going back-and-forth three or four times. I figured it was just somebody out joy riding in their plane. This morning Rick told me that they were actually spraying for mosquitoes. He said they do that three or four times a year here to keep the mosquito population down. He has to pay a fee for it but said it was worth it.
47° this morning and I’m on the road at 6 AM heading toward Rawlings.
7:12 AM and 7 miles in and I’m traveling east and the sun is in my eyes. I can’t see anything ahead of me from the glare and just have to look down at the road. Four years ago when I did the Trans Am that’s the main reason I went east to west so I wouldn’t have to deal with the sun in my eyes every morning.
It’s just wide open range out here. I’ve seen dozens of antelope at three or four deer this morning already and yes the wind is blowing and yes it’s in my face and yes I’m in Wyoming.
I should be turning back Northwest in a few miles let’s hope the wind is still blowing in the same direction then.
8:03 AM 10.3 miles and back up to 7,974 feet. Been climbing all morning weather is pretty nice wind blowing but it’s not terrible. I hope I’m at the top of a peek and getting ready to go down but I’m not sure. Just stopped for a drink of water and a little rest.
8:29 met Dave going south. He shared some good info on crossing the basin.
8:30 AM and it was not the top. Now I think I’m at the top at 8,397 feet. Met a guy going south named Dave. Got some good information from him on the great basin on where to find water and where to stay in Atlantic City once I get out of the basin. I’m 14 miles in for the day it’s been all pavement I’m finally turning back on gravel.
11:46 AM 35 miles in and I’ve just been climbing up and down all morning—it’s exhausting and it’s hot and I didn’t have anything to eat this morning. Just living today off water and energy bars. Going to be a long rough day.
1:17 PM I’m still about 25 miles from Rawlins and I can see cars on the interstate from that distance. It’s amazing how wide open it is out here. It looks like the set of all the old western movies.
3:00 PM saw the town. I’m tired, out of water, dehydrated and ready to stop at the first place I see that may have cold drinks. Don’t care about food right now….just need liquid….preferably cold liquid and a lot of it.
3:30 pulled into Bucks sports bar. Ordered a large ice water, large unsweet ice tea, and large cold Coors. The orders a 12” extra cheese pizza. Drank two glasses of water, two glasses of tea, the beer and ate the entire pizza.
Rode to my hotel—The 1st Choice Inn and checked in. Got everything unpacked, took a shower, then walked to the nearest gas station—1/2 mile away—to do some shopping for more liquid tonight and stuff to carry with me tomorrow. Picked up 4 liter bottles of water, large fountain Pepsi with ice—drank two while shopping—coke, Lemmon Tea, orange juice, V8 juice, Large can of peach tea, orange juice, beef jerky, mixed nuts, bean dip, then stopped at subway on the way back to the hotel and picked up a foot long Turkey sun for breakfast tomorrow.
Drinking a lot of this tonight to get hydrated, then carrying at least 6 liters of water with me tomorrow.
Once I leave here tomorrow it’s 134 miles to civilization and any services. I’m planning on leaving at about 3am in the morning and see how the day goes. If I can make it to Atlantic City tomorrow that would be great, but that is going to depend on weather and wind. If not, I’ll be prepared to camp out in the basin and if the sky is clear that will be the perfect place to get that night lapse of the Milkey Way.
Going to be an interesting day tomorrow. Uploading this, then hitting the sack. It’s already 8 pm and need to get some rest.
pics:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/1d1pgn8pfuzitnj/AAD4MT8Ad0XdAYfcn9yyNXuZa?dl=0
