Phase II and Update

June 26, Thursday, Day 32, Zero day - Waking at the Trapper Inn in Jackson, WY. We have been out of internet access while in the Yellowstone area. Phase II of this cycling adventure began on Monday with a kiss at 3:30, at Flagg Ranch, just outside of the south entrance of Yellowstone Park. As planned, Kathy arrived to join me in visiting Yellowstone and Teton parks, and then traveling in parallel with me to Pueblo, CO, about two weeks away. The business of pedaling 65-mile days resumes tomorrow, with a climb over 9600-foot Togwotee Pass. Following is a brief summary of the past few days. Kathy, too, will be adding updates to add information and perspective. Day 27, 25.7 miles, arriving in West Yellowstone with Peter Bryant. I ran into Karen Downer, formerly ESH Mgr. at ORNL and now at INEEL, at the park visitor center. It's really a small world! I also met east bound cyclist Gary Hicklin, who had been trying to catch me for two weeks. See you down the road, Gary. Day 28, 53 miles, deciding to stay over at Grant Village CG in the park, since Kathy would not arrive to south entrance until Monday afternoon. Met Peter and his wife (also visiting) there and enjoyed a wonderful chili dinner. Thanks, Linda!!! Day 29, 24 miles to Flagg Ranch and rendezvous with Kathy! Day 30, zero day, touring through Yellowstone, seeing eagles, buffalo, elk and of course the Old Faithful display! We spent the night at the Ho Hum motel in West Yellowstone. Day 31, 29 miles after another day of touring the other side of Yellowstone and seeing hundreds of buffalo, a gray wolf, and the spectacular, "Grand Canyon of Yellowstone." The 29 mile ride was to avoid violating Larry Long's first rule of backpacking, never to back track. When I resume on Friday, I'll pick up at the point of departure after the 29 miles. There were so many other highlights, but I'll let them go for now and gradually catch up with the best, later. We plan a second night at the very nice Trapper Inn, and then back to life on the road. --Tom