Up at 6 AM this morning. Looks like it’s gonna be a nice day. I think starting after daylight might be the standard going forward. Heading to Coulter Bay today and will decide whether to camp there or move on a little further once I get there.
7:15 AM and on the road. It’s nice starting off in the warm sun. Why didn’t I think of that before.
9:10 AM 17.6 miles in. Nice day. I actually have a breeze to my back thank goodness. Just stopped a little bit back and had breakfast at a café. While there I met a young lady, named Shawn Cheshire. She is doing this same route I’m doing, but going south. She is blind! She has a support crew to help her. I can’t imagine riding a bike on a smooth road surface and not be able to see, but doing this—incredible. Now I feel like a real wimp complaining about stuff.
9:41 AM at 20.4 miles in at 8,516 feet and still climbing, but it’s a nice day and easy climbing compared to yesterday. Taking off my base layer…warming up a bit. I think the peak of this is again about 9600 feet.
11:50 AM 25.9 miles in. At the peak of Togwotee pass at 9,556 feet. Still a nice day and feeling great.
1:20 pm stopped for lunch at a gas station. Turkey sandwich, ice tea, and Diet Coke. Met south boulders Catalina and MJ. They started in Jasper Canada and are headed to antelope wells. Shared some information. They were very interested in the basin and water availability. I got out my map and shared my experience and what they could expect. Very nice couple…didn’t ask where they were from but am guessing Italy.
2:35 made it to the Grand Teton National Park entrance sign where I took a pic 4 years ago on my TransAm tour. Stopped and took another pic. This route intersects with the Trans Am route at a few spots.
2:56 PM entered grand Teton national Park and paid my $20 entry fee—the same as a car. There’s something wrong with that. But, heading to Coulter Bay inside the park and will probably camp there tonight.
Stopped by the Main resort lodge and gift shop area and picked up some things for the grandkids and had them mailed back home. Then rode on down to tent village where I rented a canvas tent with a woodburning cookstove in it and a bear box for tonight. It has bunkbeds and a picnic table. Very basic. I’ll put some pics in the dropbox just in case you too would like to come and experience this luxury for only $107 a night.
Got unpacked and started walking down to the lake and restaurant. Walked by a laundry and shower facility and thought a shower would be nice, so stopped in and for $8 got a towel and hot shower. Amazing how much better a shower makes me feel after a long ride…even if I don’t have soap.
Walked on down to the restaurant and had penne pasta, ice tea, two beers, and huckleberry ice cream for desert.
Sitting here at the lake, which is nearly dry, in front of the Tetons. Four years ago this thing was full and had boats docked every where. It’s now like a ghost lake. But, waiting for the sun to go behind the mountains then will take a few pics and go hit the sack. Should be in Idaho tomorrow for a brief time then into Montana.
Pics:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/kl5p9z5nifypxmj/AADfMFEo88oeUnfVwEPC6lKZa?dl=0
