Off Day - Fourth of July in Lander, WY

Off Day

Fourth of July in Lander

July 4, 2018

Lander, WY

Last night after Scott, Eileen, and I left the bar we pedaled to the Lander city park in the dark. We were paranoid about lawn sprinklers so we set up our tents in the middle of a park pavilion. It had a bright overhead light that glared all night long. I was too tired to be bothered by it. I slept as well as anyone could on a Therm-a-rest on a concrete slab.

Early in the morning, we were awaken by a man yelling for us to move. Last night, after we had already set up, I had noticed where everyone else was camping in the park. We carried our tents and gear over to where they were. We met east-bounder Asa, who was drinking a Budweiser tall boy first thing in the morning. The Lander Lyons Club was preparing for an epic Fourth of July barbecue nearby in the park.

We went to Middle Fork Cafe on Main Street for perhaps the best breakfast so far on the tour. I had the Eggs Benedict and two Bloody Marys. The epic Lander Fourth of July parade was gaining full steam on Main Street. There were floats, emergency vehicles, and people on horseback. Parade participants were either throwing candy to the spectators or squirting them with water. I noticed a lot of floats bearing the names of political candidates. All but one were Republican. The Democratic float got cheers where I was standing. In addition to the right-wing white nationalism one might expect in Wyoming, I was happy to see LGBQT representation, Native Americans, skateboarders, and unicyclists. There's hope.

After the parade I rode to the fireworks store for some personal provisions. I went back to the park and rejoined my companions for live music and $1 beers to benefit the Lyons club. We talked with Charlie from the ACA unsupported tour. He didn’t remember that we had met him firstly in Walden, secondly in the hay barn, and most recently in Jeffrey City. He told us that Adventure Cycling Association board president, Wally Werner, was their tour leader and sweep. How cool!

We met fellow camper Shawn, who was backpacking through Wyoming. We all decided to go to The Forge bar for some Rocky Mountain oysters. For my readers not in the know, these are bull testicles. Being without a bike, Shawn ran to the bar and almost beat us cyclists. After the Forge we joined up with Kyle and his buddies at a barbecue at his Warm Showers host. Mike and his wife’s place was pretty nice. They had a treehouse out back next to a stream, and a large teepee. Scott was hungry again, so we went to Tony’s Pizza. The service was horrible and it took forever. That said, some locals at an adjoining table picked up our tab. People are so friendly here!

We had been told that the fireworks in Lander were epic. It had been compared to the bombing and street fighting in Beirut. People spend thousands of dollars here on fireworks. I lit a couple of mortars at the campground, and then we headed up to the hill to get a view of the whole town. Lander lived up to its reputation. I’m used to Macy’s fireworks on the East River in New York. Fourth of July in Lander, with the fireworks against the mountains, was better.

This was a fantastic off day and Fourth of July!