I Can Smell the Ocean

Hey everybody sorry for the lack of posts. We've been really cranking and I haven't really had the time to sit at a computer and collect my thoughts. So we're in Sisters, Oregon and we only have about a week left before we hit the coast. Things are getting really exciting and we're all getting a little bit antsy to get there. We stayed in Bend last night which was a really incredible town. Rob is thinking about living there and now I can see why. We had to do a tour of all the breweries in town which numbered many and included "Dechutes."
My birthday seems like it was forever ago, but we spent a great deal of time in Yellowstone park. I saw Old faithful, grand prismal springs, painted mud pots and almost had a run in with a bear. Well I thought it was a bear. It growled at me for sure but I took off running - too fast to even see. Idaho was a gorgeous state with many gorges. We pedaled down by the Payette river and met lots of paddlers who were kind enough to offer us some PBR and snacks. We also got the chance to hit up some more hot springs. Very crowded however but still a nice treat. It was great to be able to go so long without a real shower. About a week and a half through the entire state of Idaho and parts of Oregon.
We've met some great people including Wiley at Red Fish Lake, Donnie and Zack at Spuds n Suds, and a real cool cat named Andy in Bend. Wiley's quite the character but with loads of info about his travels and how to live life like a real man on a Bimmer. Thanks for the dinner and the phone message Wiley! Oregon has proved to be a really nice state but incredibly hot on some days that we have to climb multiple passes. They haven't been too bad but they're really starting to wear on my wits.
But we'll' reach the ocean soon enough and then I'll get to check out highway 101 for a couple of days up to Astoria. From there Rob and I will be making our best efforts at bumming around Portland until our flight leaves on the 12th. I think we'll manage. I hope everyone is doing well and I look forward to seeing you all upon my return home.

Headwinds and Grizzly Bears

Wyoming has proved to be a very windy state as I had just flown down into the valley and was met with winds comparable to those on top of Grandfather Mtn. I could see the horizon about 20 miles away and I was cranking incredibly hard on completely flat terrain to push 5-7 mph. Not to mention a storm was blowing in directly overhead but I also encountered some Eastbounders who boasted an average 28 mph speed with the wind. I wanted to strangle them. But upon arrival at a gas station in Muddy Gap, WY, I couldn't find Rob or Rich anywhere and decided I would ask the folks at the trailer adjacent to the gas station. It turns out that they were in there with Rory and were being catered to by a nice Mormon family who cooked us lasagna, garlic bread, eggs, and milk and cookies. They were really interested in our travels and loved to listen to our stories as well as give us their own. Rob got the responsibility of reading a couple books to the youngest of the 6 children. It turned out to be a really fantastic evening complete with showers.
We had the opportunity to soak in some hot suplhur springs in two different towns that made my skin stink for a couple days but it felt fantastic. It was a much need break from the sore muscles brought on by harsh Wyoming terrain.
We met back up with our compadres Mike and Dillon and made it into one of the most beautiful parts of our country thus far, the Grand Teton National Park. We camped right under these incredible mountains and took a semi-bath in Jenny Lake right at the base. The whole time I couldn't help but wishing I was on the top of the world looking down on the valley. That night, I had awoken to the sound of a bear rattling the junk out of a bear box that stored all of our gear and food. For the rest of the night I could hear footsteps all around my tent and a heavy breathing that gave me the shivers. I will be sure to not bathe and smell like soap for the remainder of my stay in the Teton and Yellowstone National parks. I spoke with an older gentleman who told me that there had a been a Grizzly that set up camp in the area we stayed in and that the wildlife authorities were having trouble locating it and removing it. So chances are that he was the one causing my cold sweats that night.
It was sad however that the next morning we had to say goodbye to our dear friend Rory O'Callahan as he took off north into Yellowstone and then to Montana while we went south into Jackson Hole where I am currently. This town is fantastic but very touristy. There are hundreds of stores and a really cool downtown area. Tonight we're going to see a reenactment of an old time shootout in the middle of town. Cant wait. I hope this finds everyone doing well and I'll try to post some pictures when I have an opportunity at a computer w/o time limits. Adios

Breckenridge and Pueblo

Breckenridge freakin rocks the rockies. We had such a blast last night in town. Things were pretty hectic during the day but we ducked into the brewery to get out of the sun. We met some people who let us stay at their place last night and it was a much needed break from camping out. The festivities in Breck made the town seem like a really hip and happenin place to be. There's an awesome bike trail that we rode on through the mountains that took us right into town. All downhill too.
We met a guy named Donald in Pueblo who was kind enough to take us in and entertain us for the most part. He took us down to the river to body surf the waves. Way cool. He set up a projector in his backyard for us to watch a movie as well. Thanks for everything man.