Last day in Nebraska

We are in Seward, Nebraska taking a day of rest. I sorely need it, just feeling beat up and need a day to recoup. Our last day off was in Casper, Wyoming. The shoulders on the road (US 34) in Nebraska are harsh, very rough, feels like you hit a pot hole every 10-15 feet. Seward is a nice little town, true Americana, looks like you walked onto the set of Back to the Future. People are very pleasant and nice and we actually found at least one beer with some hops to it, limited flavor, kind of a wheat beer. It will do, looking for something more in Iowa. Tomorrow we head to the Nebraska border and hope to cross the Missouri River. Lot's of crossing are closed due to flooding, but we think we can cross over at Plattesmouth, Nebraska and then pick up US 34 again in Iowa. If anyone has any ideas, we are always open, including places to stay. Temps are supposed to go into the high 90's or even exceed 100 tomorrow and the next few days, with humidity. We will try for a very early start in hopes to avoid the real hot. Winds are to kick up to 20-30 mph out of the South, Southeast. Anyway, the adventure continues, we are more 1600 miles into this, a little over 1,000 to go. Take care, John

Adventures with no good beer

Well, tonight we are in Lexington, Nebr. Tomorrow we will stop in Kearney and visit with my brother Don; then on to Grand Island and visit other family there. Grand Island was where I was born. Yesterday we had a good tailwind, but mechanical problems forced us to call a shorter day then we desired and stayed at North Platte, today was a mixture of headwind, sidewind, and rain. 62 miles today. Our search for a good beer in Nebraska continues, and good coffee, and toilets that work on first flush. Other than that, it has been an adventure. The continued amazing thing is the very nice and hospitable people we meet, every day. We are now over half way. In Cozad, Nebr they state they are the 100th Meridian, thus we are now offically in the Eastern half of the US. Weather has been more than interesting, keeping a constant eye on the severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings, so far we have been on the edge of most of them. We get wet and wind, but have not had to seek shelter yet. So.....we continue on, looking forward to the next day!! John

Ogallala, Nebraska, 3 weeks

Well, last we talked we were in Casper, Wyoming. Actually, that was the last place of any good beer, at the WunderBar. I think people moved from Nebraska and Wyoming looking for good beer or good coffee. WE continued our travels along the Oregon Trail, stopped and looked at Ft. Laramie (an amazing place with lots of history), Register Cliff, Wagon Ruts, Chiminey Rock, etc. Seeing all of this from a bicycle gives you a perspective of what the pioneers must have endured, they were amazing. Met up with a couple of men with wagon traveling from St Jo to Oregon City along the trail. Weather has been mixed, some tail winds but also headwinds and hills. Last night lots of thunder, lightning, rain, etc. The rivers are all at flood stage. One of the most amazing aspects is the smell of the prairie grasses and flowers, very sweet, a good time in the midwest. Tonight we are in Ogallala, Nebraska after a 93 mile day. Temps are getting warmer, more humidity. From here we'll continue along the Oregon Trail, now US 30, to North Platte, Kearney, Grand Island, etc. We'll see what holds. Take care and I'll keep in contact as able. So far have been on the road 3 weeks, with 3 days off, and we are about 1/2 way. John

Casper, Wyoming

Well, for those of you who did not get a direct email. We are now in Casper after about 1,058 miles into the trip. Only another 1700 to go, or so. Leaving Cody we traveled to Meeteesee, Wyoming..had some chocolate fromt the Meeteesee Choclateer, he is famous and when you've had some of his goodies, u understand why. The old saloon there was the place that Butch Cassidy was arrested for his first time, it is still an operating saloon, oldest in the state continously, with the same bar still there. We went south and continued all the way to Shoshoni, through the Wind River Canyon which is extremely beautiful and fascinating. Sadly, we got into Shoshoni just after the last motel room was rented out, but a very nice couple, Frank and Kathryn Cooper, put us up for the night. Very gracious and renews your faith in people. We attempted to try the 98 miles to Casper, but after 54 miles of driving rain, wind, and dangerously low visability with high traffic; we got a ride rest of the way to Casper. We were under a storm cell that dropped about .6 inches of rain and was setting off some tornados just to the East of us. On the edge of a storm cell like that is interesting to say the least. Anyway, no purist about having to ride the whole thing. Primary goal is to be safe. By the way, there was also no shelter or areas to escape from along that route. Sadly, all of those little towns on the maps, do not exist anymore. One had a house a barn a dog a horse. Met a man who was walking,jogging across the US to raise awareness and funds for Alzhiemers, talk about dedication, very impressive. We will continue on tomorrow, probably reach Nebraska in two days or so. Want to stop and visit Fort Laramie so that may slow us down. We are on the route of the Oregon Trail at this point, lots of history. Take care until later. John

Happy 60th Birthday

Friends, well, we have made it to Cody, Wyoming. 82 miles today. Total we have covered about 810 miles in the last 13 days, with 2 rest days included. The new bike and panniers work much better than the Pauley and Burley Trailer. Today is my birthday and I wish to thank everyone for their well wishes. Saw lots of Bison and some Bear in Yellowstone, also lots of cars and people. Still a beautiful area, well worth visiting, only next time by car. Think we did the last mountain pass today, 8600 Sylvan Pass (total of about 8 passes through the Rockies). Now we will head across Wyoming toward Meeteesee and Thermopolis, may try to do in one day, but will depend on weather and wind. Have met some great people on the trip, several bicycle riders, that are about half our ages. Seems like every day someone asks if Steve and I are brothers, one today even asked if we were twins. Miss Kathy a lot, also Allie and Dylan, but thankful for their support on this adventure. Talk to you all later. John

Day 10 - West Yellowstone MT

660 miles into the ride. Lots of hills, headwind and bad weather so far. Thunderstorms have delayed us a bit, as have Steve's 4 flat tires and even some snow. Hoping to make it to the other side of Yellowstone park tomorrow. So beautiful out here, but getting very sick of the hills especially at altitude. My son reminded me that very soon I would miss these hills and mountain passes as I ride across the great plains. Lets hope I make it there first!

Decisions??

Sometimes you question yourself about the trials and situations you enter into, yesterday was one of those days, but we decided to take a day off today and am feeling much better. I guess the body is trying to remind me that I turn 60 in 9 days, I am no longer the 20-30 year old. Went to the bike shop here in Hamilton, Montana; great people at Valley Bike, actually bought a new bike. A touring bike, with low gears. My Pauley just could not get any lower gears and we still have plenty more passes to get over. So, have new wheels and gears, will ship the Pauley back home. Tomorrow is a new day!!!!

Day5/6...Hamilton Montana

Well, we made it over the Lolo Pass, the last 6 miles up that thing is quite a challenge pulling a trialer with gear. There is one section for about 2 miles that runs close to 8%; most of it at a 6. Rode 89 miles to Hamilton. Decide to take a day off here, after 5 days of constant riding need to give the legs a break, and get some dry clothes. Have had rain, thunder, lightning, hail, etc. Ok to recoup and get ready for the push over to West Yellowstone. All the rivers are at flood stage in this area, today is Wedensday, day 6, weather prediction for next several days is rain and low temps. Catch you next time. John

Day 3 - Lolo Pass - ID/MT

Tough day today. Lots of hills, as to be expected going through the Rocky mountains. Rode 65 miles. Hoping to go another 75 tomorrow, will be lots of down hill. No room at only motel here so going to sleep on porch. The adventure continues...

Day 2 - Orofino, ID

What a tough day! started out about 30 degrees and ended up being 94 as we rode through Idaho. Nothing like a 14 mile hill to make for tired legs. A shout out to the Kozy Korner Cafe in Deary, ID, was able to meet some great people and fuel up. Steve had 2 flat tires on the 85 mile journey. Staying in a little motel in Orofino, Idaho ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orofino,_Idaho ) preparing to go over Lolo Pass tomorrow, going to be a lot of hills, but the Clearwater national forest will make for some great scenery.

Day 1 - Potlatch, ID

7AM start this morning, rode across the Palouse and made it down to Potlatch, ID for the night around 75 miles for today. $10 a night at a campground, much better deal than the local motels. Steve was "gracious" to say the least in regards to waiting for me to catch up on the road today, we ran into some strong headwinds. Beautiful time of year up here, amazed how green the fields were, but not surprised with all the rain we have had. Grabbing a Beer and going to rest up, hope to go about 90-100 tomorrow and be in the great state of Montana!

New Day tomorrow

Well, it looks as if the weather will even cooperate a little. We are starting off on the journey tomorrow morning nice and early. First day we hope to reach Potlach, Idaho. Expect morning temps in the 40's, raising to mid 60's by afternoon. Weather forcast is for warm weather this weekend with winds moderate (7-10) out of the W, SW. However, forecast for Monday is rather bleek. Will let you know how things go. Oh, my fortune cookie tonight from the Mustard Seed restaraunt, "a Wise time for travel!" See you all on the road. John