TransAm Day #40 Lander, WY - DuBois, WY
TransAm Day #40
July 5, 2018
Lander, WY - DuBois, WY
78 Miles
Ride Time 6:06 Hours
Tour Total Miles 2895
Last night in Lander I managed to sleep well in my tent underneath the exploding fireworks. I got up early this morning and was on the road by 6:30am. Eileen and Scott were still sleeping when I left. The park maintenance guy was spraying the lawn. The streets were littered with spent fireworks.
Internet service in Lander has been a problem these past two days, probably because of all the people in town for the Fourth of July. This is the reason I’m behind on my blog, messages, social media, etc. I’ve heard that it’s going to be even more difficult to get Internet service where I’m headed.
I spent much of today’s ride pedaling my way through the Wind River Indian Reservation. I didn’t notice much difference except for the casino when I entered. After sixteen miles, I stopped in Fort Washakie at the Hines General Store for a breakfast burrito, vending machine cappuccino and orange juice.
Ostensively Fort Washakie is the burial place of Sacagawea, Lewis and Clark’s native guide. I started down the road to her grave before realizing how far off route it was. Back on route, I passed wild horses, who tried to run away when I took their photo.
At a gas station in Crowheart I met east-bounders Saemundur & Monika from Iceland. I had met Saemundur on an ACA discussion board back in February and we’ve been following each other on Instagram. They’re making good time, and I had expected to run into them tomorrow, not today. Their blog is at: https://icicle-bicycle.com/
Crowheart gets its name from an 1865 battle between the Shoshone and Bannock versus the Crow over hunting grounds. Victorious Shoshone Chief Washakie displayed a Crow Indian’s heart after the battle. I’ve been following the Chief Washakie trail here in Wyoming for two days. He got along with white settlers.
After Crowheart I spent the second part of the ride following Wind River. I rode through the most beautiful banded ‘painted’ landscape to the east with crimson rock face to the west, and the whitewater Wind River switching back and forth to either side of highway 287.
I finally left the reservation and the Chief Washakie trail. My iPhone camera wasn’t working today. The landscapes were so beautiful. I really wanted to capture them, but it’s impossible. The beauty here can’t be captured by a stupid iPhone camera anyway.
Coming into Dubois I noticed aspen trees, which I hadn’t seen since Colorado. I found the Episcopal Church and filled out paperwork to spend the night. Next stop was the giant Jackalope, an ode to my friend Keith. I went to the coin operated shower, and then headed to the Cowboy cafe for buffalo burgers and beer.
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