The driving lately has been pretty straight forward. Stay on US 50 until the next town. In Austin we camped at the Austin RV park. Full hookups but only 15 spots and we never saw anyone else. We paid via an envelop and drop box. This was my first solo attempt at backing into a space. It went well! Got it on the second attempt.
The sunset that night was amazing!
Austin also had a community center across the street from the campground. We were able to take a swim with the kids.
The next day we headed to Eureka. Also very small town and easy drive on 50. We stayed at the Silver Sky RV Park. At first I thought it would be just like the last one in that there were no staff to speak of just an envelop with instructions on how to pay. I took the info and picked a spot. It was pull thru however not level. I tried once to drive onto the leveling blocks without "eyes." It was going to take a while this way so I got out the back up camera that can be fastened with its magnet to the back of the camper. I set it on the ground facing the wheels and it took one try!!
I made lunch and hung out with the kids. At this point the elevation of the last couple nights was effecting me. Head ache and very tired. We have been camping at about 6800 ft. I have been drinking a lot of water but that isn't totally working. When John arrived I was able to take a nap. That helped. After that I found John outside fixing up the owner's bike. He had everything out to work on his own bikes. They ended up letting us stay for free because of John's handy skills on her bike! Later that afternoon she brought us an amazing coffee cake!!
It was great to chat with the owners and learn a little about the area.
Since I am writing this a day late I will also mention that Graham had his first night mare last night. He was crying and screaming relentlessly for 20 minutes. Sorry Andrew! Finally he woke up and took down some milk before falling back to sleep. Charlotte had an episode last week as well. And a couple of days ago Graham fell out of his pack n play. No real harm done, just a little blood from a cut lip. Nothing too alarming for him. I think he will be crawling out of it by the end of the summer. Yay!!
From John:
The past two days of riding have been fantastic. They have basically been what you could imagine riding through the middle of nowhere and climbing mountains in the middle of nowhere to be. Huge valleys open in beautiful vistas one after the other in an almost unbelievable progression only hidden from each other by inspiring and powerful mountain passes. It is hard to imagine so much space uninhabited in the standard way we imagine, not even by grazing cattle or planted field. However, if you look close enough it is an alive place. We have seen wild mustangs, antelope, spiders, snakes and bugs.
Riding here is one of the most difficult things I've ever had to do. Stretches many miles long with no change in scenery and often the seemingly small headwind becomes incredibly punushing. The slope and grade changes in such a wide scope that you often can't tell that you have gone from downhill to an uphill and simply question why you don't have as much power to maintain speed.
Then there is the constant struggle to have enough water and energy to continue through the long stretches without service. We are very lucky to have Rebecca's assistance mid day for water and food. I cannot imagine doing this solo.
I keep admiring the people that have made there lives here in the past. It is a harsh, unforgiving and incredibly open place. I often wonder while riding my bike, with all the luxuries of today, what people from 150 years ago would think of our little adventure. It is a beautiful opportunity to get to do this.
Here are some pictures:
Andrew in front of a summit sign
Two bikers we met coming from the other coast. They were about 8 days from finishing. Another Andrew (New Jersey) and Jun (DC)
Wide open space
Peak at the next valley to come
Endless road
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