Potatoes & Peaks

I only have a few minutes left before my temporary Boise Idaho library card expires, so I'll have to be brief. 





Rafting Crew!



Whitewater rafting on our day off in Jackson was fantastic- a real-life roller coaster, and SO much more fun than soggy, smelly waterparks.

 

On top of Teton Pass

After Jackson, we had our most difficult climb yet through Teton Pass.  At the top of the 6-mile pass, we all waited to cheer eachother on as we struggled upwards.  It rivaled Boyleston Street at the end of the Boston Marathon.  After we all made it up, we had a dance party at the Peak.

Idaho!

Shortly after, we rolled down into Idaho.  Right away, it was absolutely gorgeous.  There's a whole lot more to Idaho than potatoes (although potatoes were served for 4 consecutive meals at host sites).  We learned that quickly, as we climbed the Sawtooth mountain range.  Surprise!  Alas, as we wound through these mountains, we tended to ride along some glorious rivers.  The rivers of Idaho have been the most gorgeous thus far- their clarity and shades of blue-green are rivaled only by the waters of the Caribbean.

We had a build day with Habitat in Idaho Falls- it was probably my favorite thus far.  I had the opportunity to chat with the homeowner for whom we were building, and was completely inspired by this superwoman.   We also had an amazing host in Idaho Falls. The pastor of the church we stayed at held a summer BBQ for us at which we all played volleyball and hung out on his deck.

Classis prom stairwell picture

The next evening, we had a thrift-store prom in Challis, Idaho.  During the week leading up to prom, we all scavenged in various thrift stores to find costumes (or actual prom dresses if we were lucky). 

Frosty morning in Stanley

After Challis, we camped in Stanley.  Our campsite overlooked the jagged Sawtooth mountains- one of the most gorgeous views thus far.  Unfortunately, the misery of camping took some of the pleasure away for me.  Camping is, without a doubt, one of my least favorite activites.  Especially when you wake up and it's 31 degrees outside and everything is frosty.

A more recent event was Christmas in July in Idaho City.  We blasted Christmas songs as we got ready in the morning, ate sticky buns, sang carols on the bike, and did a Secret Santa during our family meeting later that day in Boise.

 We had a relaxing day off in Boise, during which we explored the town, shopped, (over)ate, and even got into the infamous Bronco Stadium at Boise State University.  Despite the heat, we had a lot of fun walking all over town.

Oregon tomorrow!!!!

Colorado, Utah, & Wyoming

Howdy from Jackson, Wyoming! It's been so long since I've had internet access that I've gone through 3 states, 2 and a half mountain ranges, and an entire journal since I've last blogged.  Therefore, I'll give you some of my highlights from Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming in bullet form.  In Bike & Build world, we refer to everything by location instead of calendar date or weekday.  Therefore, I'll fill you in based on where I was when it happened.

• Denver, CO:  1st view of the Rockies. Home of Rachael (one of our leaders), who we had to race to keep up with as she sprinted the last 25/100 miles home at 22mph (vs our usual 15ish mph).  Quirky, alternative city with lots of nice people.  Ran into my UNC friend Stephan, who is biking from San Francisco to DC with Journey of Hope.  Built with Habitat for Humanity in Golden, CO.

• Boulder, CO:  On the way there, stopped in Golden for a free private tour of the Coors Factory! Got stuck in a 5-minute hail storm off the mountains.  Had a great day off exploring the University of Colorado and spending too much money on the ritzy Pearl Street.

• Estes Park, CO:  Climbed a 30-foot rock with the peer pressure/help of some of the guys- definitely something I'd never even attempt in real life.  Day 1 in the Rockies, which included some breathtaking views and also some breathtaking climbs.  Stayed at Eagle Rock School, an alternative high school tucked away in the mountains.

• Trail Ridge:  Climbed to over 12,000 feet in Rocky Mountain National Park.  The magnificent views distracted us from the difficult climbing.  Descended 4 miles in the pouring rain at 40 degrees- SO cold!  Saw 4 big elk with enormous antlers.  Crossed the Continental Divide!

• Steamboad Springs, CO:  Passed Chimney Rock (hello, Oregon Trail!).  Hung out in hillsides covered in wild flowers.  Descended for 7 miles into Steamboat Springs.  Rode down an Alpine Slide.  Drove out to the middle of nowhere to Strawberry Park Hot Springs, where we soaked in big, natural rock waterfalls and hot tubs under a starry sky.  Worked with the Rotary Club to build a mountain bike trail (Habitat canceled on us). participated in a Harry Potter Scavenger Hunt around town.  Napped and then saw the Harry Potter 7 II premier at midnight (and then got 2.5 hours of sleep before our 75-mile ride. Worth it.).

• Vernal, Utah:  After riding through the desert (and hearing/seeing a live rattlesnake on the roadside!), our route collided with another Bike & Build route, South Carolina to Santa Cruz (SC2SC). Took pictures with them at the Utah Border and then hung out with them that night.  Awesome to see another 32 people pedaling in the same uniform with the same goal!

• Flaming Gorge, Utah:  Detoured an extra 12 miles to see the Flaming Gorge Canyon.  Despite a challenging ride through the Uintah Mountains, the detour was worth it.  Saw several big-horned sheep hopping around.  Jumped off a 30-foot cliff into the river.  Camped nearby, and saw an explosion of color as the sun set to the west, setting the eastern canyon wall aflame.  A thunderstorm rolled in, adding lightening and a rainbow to the pallet.

• Jackson, Wyoming:  Rode a century through sage brush and nothingness and passed several Oregon Trail historical markers.  Saw a few wild horses, but most were up in the hills due to all of the rain.  Saw the magnificent Grand Tetons waiting for us in the distance.  Enjoyed the playful, cheerful summer mountainside rivers and wildflowers.  In Jackson, hung out in the Wild-West style downtown.

Day off in Jackson! Time to go white-water rafting!

Love,

Abby

Conquered!

 

 

At the peak on Trail Ridge (over 12,000 feet).

I think this picture says enough for now.  More to come on Denver, Boulder, and the Rockies!

Ruby Slippers & Yellow Brick Roads (Kansas!)

If I told you that I was in the middle of nowhere in other posts, please ignore them.  Right now, I am 55 miles from the nearest town in Eastern Colorado.  I'm sitting on a swinging chair in the backyard of our host site, overlooking an expanse of prairie land that stretches on for miles and miles under a wide blue sky.    I'm also getting eaten alive by vicious flies (presumably the cowboy cousin of the greenhead) just to update you on Kansas!  Sorry it's been so long- if you're looking for a more reliable blogger, check out Kareem's blog at Finding the Vibe!


If you're under the impression that Kansas is flat, you are wrong.  I'm sorry, but somebody lied to you.  Fact: America is not flat, anywhere.  Another fact that may surprise you- Kansas is beautiful.  I was so pleasantly shocked at how amazing the landscape has been the past week. 

Rope swing in Manhattan!

After our day off in Manhattan, Kansas ("The Little Apple") that was filled with rope swings, water parks, and wonderful ice cream, we pedaled through farm fields to Clay Center, where I got my first real taste of small town USA.  We were warmly welcomed by strangers at the Tasty Pastry (best donut I've ever eaten), and then later at a town-wide cookout in the center of town (free hot dogs!).  Everybody in town was incredibly friendly and genuinely interested in our journey. 

Mandy playing with the band at the Clay Center Cookout

The next day, we made our way to Beloit, which was easily the most difficult ride of the trip.  We cycled  for 10 hours into a brutal headwind in 107 degree heat.  Staying hydrated was an enormous challenge- several times we ran out of water and had to ask random homes to use their hoses to refill our camelbacks.  Despite the strenuous conditions, I could still appreciate the beauty of the hills spotted with rugged brush, curious cows, and furious windmills. 


We've been waking up at 4am all week to try to beat the heat.  It's been brutal.  However, it has enabled us to watch the sun rise over the farm fields.  Mornings are my favorite- the sun announces its arrival by highlighting the clouds with gold and then proceeds to burst over the fields, creating silhouettes of nearby farmhouses, silos, and windmills.  Cows turn their heads and crane their necks to quietly watch you as you zip by down a road that stretches forever ahead of you.  The only time I've ever seen a skyline so uninterrupted is at the ocean.  It's breathtaking.

On our way to Phillipsburg, we stopped in Cawker City to see the world's largest ball of twine.  Ridiculous.  For lunch that day, we ate at Prairie Dog State Park, where we were surrounded by holes out of which the dogs kept popping to suspiciously eye us.  The same day, we reached our 1,900 mile marker- halfway there!!!

World's Largest Ball of Twine

We celebrated the 4th of July in St. Francis, KS.  For a town of only 1300, they sure knew how to celebrate the 4th!  I got several friendly honks from cars and trucks as they passed my pom-pommed, garlanded, sparkly, and flagged bike.  Never have I felt more patriotic and proud to be an American than I have on this trip.  I have a new appreciation for our country and am thankful for Bike & Build for instilling this in me.  


This morning, we left Kansas and entered "Colorful Colorado".  We were greeted into the state by wild sunflowers lining the roads, which couldn't have made me happier.

I wish you were all with me right now to see what I'm seeing.  Despite these darn flies, I'm feeling powerfully content (maybe an oxymoron? I'm not sure how else to express this emotion...) just swinging here, watching an occasional tractor roll by, and admiring this flat flat land of Eastern Colorado.  I can't believe we're here already!