We are in Montana The Treasure State

Aloha Everyone,
I'm here I'm here, it's been a tough week trying to find internet access or just having enough energy to actually write something. The scenery is gorgeous some of the prettiest places I have ever witnessed. The Tetons, Yellowstone and Bitteroot area of Montana. Everyday last week we had atleast one climb to do with most days having 2 climbs, these mountains really take a toll on the legs along with the wind. The reward is worth every moment of suffering. There is alot of land out here in the middle of nowhere and people leave their sprinklers on all the time so water is plentiful. I'm sure they leave the water running while brushing their teeth. I had an encounter with a big mean and ugly pit bull. 2 pit bulls came charging out at us and one of them bit into my shoe but he did not draw blood or break through my shoe. I am so thankful. We spent the night is Wisdom and I woke up feeling much wiser and alot colder. We have crossed over 3500 miles. It is starting to feel a little bitter sweet wanting to reach or goal and yet knowing this will be the end of one of those life time adventures. I think it was yesterday my legs were feeling really tired as we were climbing at 4.5 mph and this beautiful soft gentle breeze came up from behind us and gave just the perfect amount of push to make the climb a little easier and I broke out in tears, tears of joy and thanks. We only have 3 more maps to accomplish. tonight we are in Missoula and tomorrow we will go to Adventure cycling headquarters and get out picture taken, they are the ones who made the route possible and they will add us to their wall of fame. Trans America 2009 Ted and Lisa.
It's almost 10pm so I gotta go to bed, but until next time keep the rubber side down and enjoy the ride.
Lisa

Wyoming

We are off to see the Wizard, Oh wait we are not in Kansas anymore. I'm pretty sure I would cry if we were still in Kansas. Wyoming is the Real Wild West. this place is rugged and unforgiving. There is alot of scenery beautiful, green, red, and brown mountains everywhere. The winds here make Kansas look like a kindergardener. I can just imagine if you got stranded out here it would not be long for the vultures to start circling you and the cowboy would walk up to you and look at you without a lot of mercy, like how could you be so dumb to actually ride your bicycle across wyoming don't you know this place is Wild. We can see the Tetons out in front of us, tomorrow we will be doing our second highest climb 10, 000 plus feet. Today we are climbing just under 4000 feet and it's gonna be hot. So if you want to know this isn't vacation. I have been suffering at times but loving the whole journey. I have always been one to push limits in my own suttle way. With that being said I would much rather go to the spa today I am just trying to put off the 77 miles we are doing today. Are any of you available to pick us up in the next 20 minutes, ok ok maybe just keep us in your thoughts and send a little energy our way and safety too.
Until then enjoy the ride and keep the rubber side down,'
Lisa

Another day in Wyoming

these Mountains had green dirt

Red Rocks just like Arizona

Brenn showed us around the property and let us take pictures of the baby goats and cows.

More Mountains

He was going off, he wanted his bottle.

Momma Jersey cow used for milk

The LONG and Winding Road

Continental Divide crossing #4 of 11

Wyoming

Aloha Everyone,
We made it to wyoming state number 7 and the end of section 6 map we only have 5 more sections to complete. We are approaching 3000 miles and my tires are holding up great I highly recommend the Schwalbe Marathon tires they are da bomb. I thought Molokai was windy but Wyoming is windier. We are in Rawlins Wyoming and so far we have seen a whole lot of wildlife, I spotted a bear sitting on a rock the other morning Ted got a good picture of him you can see it on his blog page which is accessible through the links on my home page. Tons of Pronghorns, they are so cute they have white fluffy butts, they are big deers. Bald Eagle, cows, horses and I guess we are in Rattlesnake country but haven't seen one of those. Today we are resting as tomorrow we are staying in a real Ghost Town, Jeffrey City it went bust after Cherlynobl incident, they were mining uranium went from 8000 people to under 100. We hear there is amotel in the town and one restaurant and maybe a Baptist church where we can sleep. So you probably will not hear from us for a day or two as we are really going out to the middle of Nowhere, we have prepared today stocking up on food to carry us over if need be and it sounds like we will have access to water. We are leaving super early in the morning hopefully by 5:30am as this is the only time the wind is not at gale force the only part is at that hour it is only about 47 degrees so many decisions:-) Wyoming has alot of bust towns we went through Sinclair yesterday all that is left is the refinery still operating. We also had to ride on I-80 for 13 miles with people driving 80-90 miles an hour it was a little scary but atleast we had a big shoulder to ride on with a lot of rubber tires and glass and general road debris. When we left the highway the flags on our bikes were blowing and we had a headwind for the rest of the ride, I got real hungry all of a sudden and had to stop and eat a cliff bar and drink some water. The folks here in Wyoming don't seem to like to move over for us bikers when traveling on their roads. We will make the Tetons by this weekend I can't wait we have another big climb but I hear the scenery is fantastic.
So until then keep the rubber side down and enjoy the ride

Wyoming State #7

Pretty Wyoming Horses


Can you see where we came from

These cattle got lose on the highway but the dogs drove them back in.

Pronghorns


Hello Wyoming

The Motorcycles atleast 20 them this particular time

Barbara from Germany, she went wizzing by on the down hill from the pass

the Germans Barbara and Matt

Colorado Scenery

The Continental Divide

Awesome Rock formation, I think this is where the great wall of china got their ideas.

Pass number 2 Willow springs also Continental Divide crossing #2


Somebody put a scarecrow with a pipe in the police car this was one of those Steven King neighborhoods

Ted as seen in my rearview mirror

Hot Sulphur Springs to Walden Colorado

Aloha Everyone,
Let's see we did about 63 miles today and a good little bit of climbing to go with that. We crossed the Continental Divide again today #2 at 9635 ft. When we woke this morning it was so cold I did not want to get started we had to wait until 7am to find a breakfast place open, and it was warm and toasty inside. By 8:30am it had warmed up alot and we were on our way. Cruising along enjoying the Colorado scenery, if any of you ever need suggestions for a scenic route through this state I would be more than happy to share this route with you. For us biking sometimes we have a shoulder to ride on and sometimes we don't this morning we did. Then when we went on 125 North we thought for a second it was a gravel road and were like oh no.. but this was the road to the landfill and ours was paved. As soon as we headed North we started climbing at a gradual pace for quite a while. We passed the Colorado River and just really enjoyed the scenery. We stopped for an energy bar and kept climbing. We reached the top of our second pass after about 31 miles into our day and it wasn't too bad. There were some motorcyclists there so we talked for a while and cruised on into Rand hoping for a place to eat but there was not but there was a cute store and he had drinks and snacks, I got popcorn that looked like corn on the cob and a coke, this gave me a sugar rushed which was good because we had a nice headwind for the last 22 miles of the ride. We pulled into Walden and are relaxing now before doing a little laundry and finding a place to eat.
So until next time keep the rubber side down and enjoy the ride,
Lisa

colorado pictures

Rocky Mountain High Colorado

Aloha Everyone,

It has been a wonderful week the riding has been pretty instense but beautfiul, one day I climbed over 5000ft, I wasn't sure if I could do that or not but I did. WEEE.......... The altitude has taken some getting use to you feel like you asthma or something a pressure when you try to breath. I have consumed a lot of water and not eaten too much to help adjust up here in the high country. We did our highest climb on the Trans am trail Hoosier Pass 11,542 feet. We did most of the climbing the day before we hit the top of the pass and on this day I was exhausted between climbing up and down and a bit of a headwind it was intense. The day of the climb we only had 1600 or so feet left to go I just took it slow and easy and knew it would not take me more than one hour to reach the top. I cannot explain how beautiful it is, we were at our first continental divide crossing of the trip. Then it was a fun downhill ride to Breckenridge were we had lunch and continued onto Dillion in the afternoon. Today we are in Hot Sulphur Springs home to 22 hot pools. It is really beautiful country I can't help it I keep saying this but it is true. At every corner coming down the pass I wanted to stop and take a pciture. Also we are at the start of the Colorado River which runs into the Grand Canyon it is pretty small so far.
Ok enough blah blah blah from me let me load the pictures. We will be in Wyoming by Sunday Yeee Haw I hear it's high but flat. I will let you know.
Until then Keep the rubber side down and enjoy the ride.
Lisa

Colorado pictures

Welcome to Colorado


Eads Colorado Sunset over Town

Colorado Railroad

Contemplating the finer things in life. Peeing in the Cattle Guard

Dinner of champions; Beer and Popcorn for appetizer, Ceasar salad main course, and Dortitoes and Diet Coke for Dessert. This is what you get from a gas station mini mart.

Storm Rolling in 10 minutes after our arrival in Fowler Colorado.

This line of train cars went on for over 11 miles. Lots of Urban Art painted on them