The Kindness of Strangers

Thursday, June 16
About 40 miles
South of Lowman ID

7 am. Mornings are the worst. Cold. Have to put on layers so I can rip them off as I warm up later. Have to pack up crunchy, frosty tent this morning. Sleeping near a stream will do that, I've found out. And I know that soon my toes will be in pain from the cold when I start pedaling no matter what I do to help them stay warm.

Slept 10 hours last night. Felt so good:). Frosty soaked oatmeal this morning - it's not hitting the spot. (how do you do it Willing & Abal?) 30 miles to a place to buy food. That's a full day's ride for me. Maybe less with the long downhill - wheeee!

And all I reall want to do is crawl back in this warm sleeping bag and read.

Finishing this day's blog Fri evening and my memory of the day's activities are never as good so much later. The big goal for the day was Soudough Lodge. It was the first place since Stanley with supplies and food. And remember, Stanley was "closed". So I was pretty focused on getting to Lowman. And I was disappointed. Actually I was delighted...by the kindness of a stranger. Thanks Jennifer for picking up my breakfast and dinner! I go to leave and the waitress tells me the other folks I had been talking with had paid my bill...and I had ordered a wrap to go for dinner besides the eggs and coffee.


Long climb out of Lowman - 10 miles UP! But Blaze is a trooper. She just kept up a steady pace. Hard finding a sleeping spot on a road that's been carved into the side of a mountain. Straight up on the left and straight down on the right. Only flat spots are the turnouts. Thought about camping there but was afraid someone would not see me and pull in and run me over. Ouch! But trusted the universe and kept pedaling. And sure enough - voila! A dirt road off to the right and flat spot for my campsite. Of course. What I need when I need it. Always. And only 7:30. Got my iPod on and tunes have been helping the feet go round. I'm still pumping when I get off the bike after miles of uphill. So I start dancing with my shadow. Love the feeling of the energy moving through my body. What a Shalom moment! Ahh! Life is good!

Pedal on, Pedal on

Saddle BagLady

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