Rain, Rain, Go Away

Between Victor and Swan Valley, Idaho

About 30 miles pedaling and 5 hitched

Total miles: 215

This is my 3rd night of rain and it can quit any time now! And, yet again, it started to pour seconds after I climbed in. How lucky is that? But tonight I am literally by the side of a major road because there had been no side roads through this whole national forest. So I gave up looking and took the first spot a bit (30 ft) off the side of the road. Sure glad I did when the skies opened up again today. But I'm gonna hear traffic all night. Good thing I sleep soundly:). My major worry is the fact that my food is in the vestibule. Guess I'll be glad near a road after getting mauled by a bear. If it stops raining later, I might try to hang it up. Might.

Spent last might in Jackson after a grueling headwind ride in. But 2 root beer floats later I was smiling:). (I earned them.)

Jackson is not a bag lady's kind of town. Too glitzy. I tried to buy a small 4" crescent wrench at the hardware store. $15! But it's a toy wrench I told them! So then I went to the bike shop and borrowed one from them. I wanted to try and stop the pulling to the right. I didn't have a clue what I was doing and actually I was doing nothing. I was adjusting the locking nut! But Pete there tried for a long time to get it aligned. No go. But I decided to stay over and try again thus morning. After my pizza and talking to quite a few people about where to camp (along bike path, at fair grounds, next to bike shop parking lot), while looking at a map and saw a cemetery. Those be quiet folks. I'll try that. On my way there, I found the town park. With a ski lift and boulders for rock climbing. Very cool. And perfect for the night. No one bothered me. Most interesting how places to sleep just appear just when I need one. I just have to believe it will happen...and it does.

So today before drying my gear while the bike shop fiddled again, pumped up my tires, and added a cup holder (Yup!), I had breakfast at an organic restaurant. Mmmm! Then I took a "shower" in the bike shop restroom. Even washed and conditioned my hair. New woman. When I came out with a wet head I said "You didn't know there was a shower in there, did ya?"

Then I had to do Teton Pass. 10% grade, both sides. So I had decided I would hitch up and ride down...wheeeee! (that's for you, Dennis!). And it didn't take me 5 minutes to get a ride. Pretty lucky at hitching. Tom, a guy that lives in Driggs, had seen me leaving Jackson a ways back and figured I deserved a ride. Much appreciated:))).

The downhill was exciting. I just can't seem to let her fly past 40 mph. Too scared. She so sensitive and the road had tight turns, I was afraid of two-wheeling her. Later I had another bad downhill in the rain and no shoulder. And I pumped the brakes all the way down.

Met asshole #1 today - he honked, honked, honked at me on that nasty downhill. Arrgghhh! But to offset it, a guy coming towards mr today took to the shoulder to give room to a tractor trailer truck passing me. Big hug for him! The only other scary thing that's happened 3 times is people passing coming head on to me. Really? I dive for the grass! I don't think they see me or they don't care if they take me out. I hope I live through this adventure. There's nothing in the wilderness as dangerous as roads and bikes. This has to be the scariest thing I've ever done.

Taking my life in my hands, as hey say. Tomorrow I may make Idaho Falls where I've been connected up with some locals. That should be fun if it works out

Pedal on, pedal on,

Saddle BagLady

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