Nearly shat myself – didn’t realise that the train line is just across the road from where I’m camping – one of the big monster trains is going by tooting his horn.
So going to start with another thank you – this time to Irma and John for treating to my breakfast yesterday – thank you very much.
Irma
So I still have a fat bruised left arm – it doesn’t like sudden movements but seems to be holding out on the bike.
Bertie and I made it to Yellowstone. Since setting off from Oregon we’ve travelled through a variety of landscapes – the birds and animals are different; the towns and buildings are different and the folks speak with a funny accent but a lot of the scenery is very familiar – there is just much much more of it. This applies to the start of Yellowstone too – until you get to the hot springs and geysers and then wow – I’ve never seen anything like this before – the heat, the smell, the colours – a constantly moving and changing environment – difficult to put into words and not sure if any of my pictures will do it justice – but definitely worth the effort to get there.
After leaving the Yellowstone East Gate (which involved a very long and cold descent in the rain) I ended up in Buffolo Bill territory – and this is much more like the scenery I remember from watching Westerns – not that I watched very many as I could never figure out who was the good or bad guy and who was shooting who – but the scenery is amazing – lots of horses too.
Easy flat riding yesterday, which I was needing and then, today, probably the biggest uphill I have ever done – typical of me I hadn’t checked how big a climb it was – I set off from the campground this morning about 7.45am and was still slowly going up well after one pm – never thought I was going to get there but I did and me and Bertie conquered the Granite Pass in The Bighorn Mountains – scenery amazing and so glad I did it but was questioning my sanity at times – long sweeping downhill to Dayton which was mostly good but I found the “there may be 12 miles of lorries out of control” (or something to that effect) a bit disconcerting.
A few more miles and I’m camping in a wee place called Ranchester. Cheated for dinner and had takeaway chicken and gravy and sweet corn followed by chocolate ice cream.
Now in my 5th USA state and loving everywhere I’ve been so far.
Hi folks – you might have noticed that me and Bertie have not moved very far over the last few days – unfortunately we had a pretty major bump a few days ago – before reading please rest assured that we are both well and being looked after and I am hoping to get back on the road tomorrow.
Before my “chilly night” I was dreaming of a comfy bed – it’s true what they say – be careful what you wish for!
Had a super ride in the morning – the smokey haze had cleared and I could see the surrounding mountains – good shoulder to ride on; very little traffic and super views all the way to a town called Dillon. Really could be doing with replacing the rear tyre so wasted time finding a bike shop that is no longer there. Not sure why but couldn’t phone but via internet I’ve arranged for a new tyre to be sent to Yellowstone Park where I’d hoped to arrive in a couple of days time.
I was carrying on to Twin Bridges were I planned to stay the night at the cyclists only campground – donation to stay the night and it has showers! Approx 4 miles before getting there I stopped to have a drink – I wasn’t on the road, I wasn’t on the shoulder – I was on the start of a gravel drive way. Before starting off again I was waiting for a semi (emphasis on the”i”) truck to pass – a big lorry! It happened so fast I’m not sure what happened – I can only assume the truck crossed the white line – I just felt the impact on my left arm – the truck didn’t stop and my left pannier, my tent and various other bits and pieces were strewn across the road. I managed to gather all my stuff together and flag down the next passing vehicle – 3 girls stopped and then Zac and his mum in another vehicle – the girls didn’t have room but they helped get all my stuff in Zac’s truck and the bike loaded in the back and Zac and his Mum took me to Ruby Valley Hospital in Sheridan. Blood pressure checks, lots of x-rays, saline drip and lots of other checks – huge amounts of bruising especially on left arm but very lucky that it wasn’t much worse. Need to say big thank you to Zac and Anna for driving me to hospital; Lynn the amazing nurse, Joan the radiologist, the Doctor who is Joan’s husband and all the other fantastic staff. Another huge thank you to Lynn and her fabulous family for putting me up for 3 nights – hope to see you in Scotland next year. Also a big thank you to Tony for looking after Bertie – surprisingly there doesn’t seem to be any real damage except to the pannier rack that Tony bent back into shape.
Zac and Ann who drove me to the hospital
The fantastic Lynn, Andy, Ryan, Mike and Annie the dog who have been looking after me!
The people of Twin Bridges (and Sheridan too) certainly live up to their name
New tent and panniers arrived today – tent is heavier than the other one but should do the trick – the panniers need some modification to keep them in place but will hopefully work – choice was limited by how quickly I could get them and get back on the road again.
Off to bed and back on the road again tomorrow.
Just realised that Jackson, Montana is at 6470 feet – that explains why I was chilly in my tent last night!
So today I’ve seen mule deer (huge ears), mum and baby long tailed deer (don’t think they walk – pretty sure they just bounce everywhere), a very tame chipmunk who nearly walked over me (then he smelt my cycling gear), Columbian ground squirrels and other squirrels and I’m pretty sure I saw the rear of a grizzly bear disappearing into the woods – it was a distance a way but don’t think it could have been anything else – exciting stuff.
Big pull up Gibbons Pass this morning – but a good climb – hard work but you knew you were getting there (not like Lolo Pass a few days ago).
Stopped at Big Hole National Battlefield information centre – this is a great place for learning about the Indians and the destruction and devastation caused by the white settlers in their quests for lands and gold. Really good film and by pure chance there were 3 men drumming and singing some of their traditional songs – I have to admit the music didn’t do a lot for me but was interesting to hear and also the stories behind the different songs.
I carried onto Wisdom, where I dined on amazing pizza for late lunch – the remainder is about to be eaten for dinner and I suspect there will be enough left for breakfast.
A further 16 miles has taken me to Jackson – I am currently in the hotel reception typing this but am camped outside – $20 dollars to camp but I have access to the hotel showers which are great – legs have finally been shaved – yippee. No one else in the campsite and no one staying in the hotel – Carly who has opened up for me has left the hotel door unlocked so that I can come and go and use the bathroom – half tempted to jump in one of the beds as they look very comfy but that would be rude.
Met Brian and Leah in Jackson, with their very friendly dog who seems very content in her wee trailer and at being towed across America – they are going West to East – again great to catch up and chat with some more mad cyclists.
Good place to pitch tent tonight. But I have now figured out the scene in “A Walk In The Woods” – if you haven’t you will need to watch it – good film and the soundtrack is good too – anyway the scene when in the middle of the night they manage to chase a bear away while walking with the tents over their heads! Didn’t make sense – where are the tent pegs?? Transpires that most folks seems to use freestanding tents because it is so hard to get the pegs in the ground, as I’ve discovered!!