Dipping Wheels in the Pacific Ocean Across America North Pictures & Comments by Keith Roberson

Days 15 to 28

The Diedes met us in Idaho Falls. We had a lot of climbing today, Pine creek pass about 6000ft. then the Teton pass 8431 ft. Fun tho and everybody made it safely. hasta la vista, Bob Day 15 Idaho Falls ID to Jackson Hole WY A day off and our collective buns needed a rest. We did laundry, cleaned the bikes and went to a ball game. The Casper Rockies against the Orem Owlzs. The Owlzs won, an Angels farm team Kathi and Don. You can guess who the Rockies are. the Wyoming Med Foundation had a picnic,  ball game, Jimmy Buffet impersonator show plus fireworks for $30 each. We talked up our Kiwanis family house and they donated $20 to our cause...o Day 19 Day off in Casper WY We climbed over 6000 feet today to get to Mt. Rushmore. I would recommend seeing this monument if you can. We have climbed a total of 60,400 feet since the beginning. Day 22 Hot Springs to Rapid City SD Today the hot winds died down. We had a nice ride along the Missouri River to Chamberlain pop. 2334. It was however muggy. We drank tons of H2O. Today marks the 1/2 way point both in days and in Miles. As you can tell by the pictures it is dry, hot, hilly and you want to start early and end early. Bobino says!! Before it gets so hot you roast. Day 25 Pierre SD to Chamberlain SD

We had a hard ride on the 4th of July, to 9658 elevation but we saw some of the most beautiful parts of the good old U.S.A.! And on the 5th we saw a sage brush high desert and down hill, down hill, down hill at 16 mph average which is fast and we were in by 1:00 p.m. We saw the purple mountains majesty we sing about. Days 16 and 17 To St. Dubois WY & then to Riverton WY 107 miles today. But in the 70's and overcast. Good tailwind as well. Again I can not say Wyoming is my cup of tea but it grows on you. Cattle, horses, coal, oil, and natural gas fields. They are still playing cowboys and indians here and my cell phone does not work. The bartender had a cell phone so I asked what he had. It was verizon. I have cingular. It is a big deal to have to dial all these numbers. I need my speed dial Day 20 Casper WY to Lusk WY . Day 23 was an easy 57 miles until we hit a bridge construction blocking our route , requiring a back track of 5 miles. Then at the end of the ride we experienced road re paving 8 miles out of Wall. At first we had hard surface then it got sticky. Some went further on the new asphalt. Messed up their bikes. Any way we all made it safely. We cleaned the bikes and tires. Used paint thinner from ACE. The room smells. Tomorrow we go to Pierre, 117 miles. Starting at 5:45 am. Day 23 Rapid City to Wall SD A chilly welcome start today. But it warmed up fast. Flat land and lots of agriculture. Mitchell is where Dennis went to college. And it is known for its corn palace. Day 26 Chamberlain SD to Mitchell SD

We departed at 5:30 a.m. because we had 120 miles to cycle this day. We had a gradual climb for the first 70 miles. Then it was done hill mostly all the way to Casper but it got warm. 97 degrees. I must say this country is dry prairie, to say the most. And winters are very cold so they tell me. The guy at Hilland told me he hunted those rattlesnakes and freeze dried them as life like specimens. Weird but interesting to us biologists. They do have oil & gas fields and seem to be rich areas. Hells 1/2 acre is where the Indians harvested Buffalo by stampeding them off the cliffs. Day 18 (110 Miles) Riverton to Casper WY Today we rode a very careful 1st 35 miles because we had a summer rain and these people really need the rain. A three year drought has them conserving water. But the weather was good as we had cool conditions & no wind. We crossed another State line into South Dakota. We liked all the rodes! Tomorrow is a big day for us as we get to Mt. Rushmore and Custer State Park and herds of Buffalo, can't wait!! Day 21 Lusk to Hot Springs SD This was by far the worst day. It started hot and got hotter. 106 degrees by the end. Hot wind, hot day, hills, and 117 miles. We SAGGED in at 85 miles. Several who tried to finish ended up in the hospital. Heat stroke. But they are still with us. Those who made it the whole 117 paid for it today. They were weak and sickly. DAY 24 Wall SD to Pierre SD Rather easy ride of 75 miles but it was hot again. Enjoy the pictures Day 27 Mitchell to Sioux Falls SD Went with Dennis to church. his niece Dawn and her baby picked us up. And we met Diane and Rich (another niece) and Maxene, Dennis's sister and went to a church in Hurley. About like Gridley. Also met Dianes son Jason. Maxene has a very nice family. Day 28 Rest day in Sioux Falls SD

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