Beautiful Wyoming

Teddy Roosevelt once said that the 50 miles connecting the East Gate of Yellowstone to Cody is one of the most beautiful roads in all of the US. Having now ridden it on a bike I am inclined to agree.

We made it up over Teton Pass and dropped down into Jackson. Once in Jackson we immediately began to miss the open roads of Oregon and Idaho. There were so many people going so many different directions my immediate instinct was to try to find the nearest road heading out of town. Thankfully Andrew suggested that we stop at the visitor's center. New rule: always stop at the visitor center. These wonderful places have people there who want to help you! It's such a great idea. At this one, we find a man by the name of Bill who told us about the Bike and Hike camping available in Yellowstone and Teton National Parks. This was a great boon for us, because I really didn't want to spend $20 for a campsite and they don't like people tenting on the side of the road in National Parks (dumb, I know, but true). So that first night we spent at Jenny Lake (see photo below), the next night we spent in Yellowstone at Bridge Port.

One thing I'm beginning to notice is that it matters how I view the trip in relation to myself. Do I view it as something that adds to my pride and ego, do I just passively accept that I'm riding for thousands and thousands of miles, or do I look at it as a privilidge? I read a book this past Spring about a man who road his bike through the southern route, he was an older dude, and one thing he kept saying throughout the book was what a privilidge it was to be able to ride. I didn't understand when I was reading it what the big deal was, but as we've gone on in this trip I've begun to understand. If I look at as just something that somehow adds to the Nate Dolan reputation as a matter of pride I will quickly become annoying to be around and anything gained from this trip will be for naught. A passive response is pretty much impossible for me, but if I look at riding as a privilidge it opens up the world. I'm able to wonder at everything around me. I'm able to learn from what's going on. I'm able to enjoy life =) So I feel that this blog would be incomplete if I did not say what a privilidge it is for us to do this trip. Not only to have the time, resources, and health, but also to have the desire. It truly is a privilidge.

Currently we are in Cody Wyoming, Rodeo Capitol of the World. We had the good luck to run into Mr. Reeder when asking for a place to put our tent he had the good graces to call his wife who works at the KOA and ask if we could stay the night for free. It was such a blessing to have showers, do laundry, and a free pancake breakfast!!

We hope to be at Mt. Rushmore in about a week. Below are some pictures from the last couple of days. My sister, Erin, has suggested that I include more human interest photos so you'll notice an increase of pictures with us or people we meet =)

This is at the beginning of the pass. If you'll notice the sign in the background says 10% grade. This translates to very steep, so far on the this trip I've yet to see anything great than a 10% grade sign.

This picture was taken at the top of Teton Pass, there was snow off the road =) Down in the valley is Jackson Hole.

This is a picture of the Tetons. This is definitely a place I will be coming back to.

This is Andrew taking a much needed bath in a snow fed lake. It was cold.

This was in Yellowstone National Park. Everything from here on will be downhill =)

This is the view coming down the East Gate. The ride down was one of the most beautiful of the trip. Thankfully whoever maintains the roads up here does a great job.

This was at the KOA last night. Andrew and I are now big advocates of KOAs.



So that's all for now, we look to be in Shell Wyoming tonight (just East of Greybull)

Best,

Nate