Livin the dream!

This morning was freezing. I was not prepared and the morning ride started off brutal. Along the way, I passed a Japanese man who started from DC and is WALKING to SF. I felt totally humbled! Eventually I made it to Ely where I satisfied a pancake craving (having passed Pancake Summit yesterday) and comtinued to order eggs, hash browns, grilled cheese, salad, and bread pudding. The waitress was nice and she had tall hair.

During the hottest hours, I hung outside the local grocer and chatted with the baggers on their smoke breaks. I learned that the carnival was in town and befriened a local who filled me in on the current middle east political scene (he thought I was Arab). He bought me an apple pie at a fast food chain that I detest and I gave him some goo for his front tire.

Back on the road, I met a girl who stared biking from Colorado Springs bound for SF. We chatted briefly and I continued on toward Majors Junction. It can't even be considered a town. Just a bar with an RV park. I'm camping (and drinking) here tonight and just rook my first shave and shower since the 30th. It felt great!

"I found it!"

Today was a full day of cycling. At dawn, I set for Eureka which is 45 miles east of Hickison. Upon arrival at the friendliest town on the lonliest highway, I ate an amazing black bean veggie burger with sautéd mushrooms and peppers. Receiving special treatment from the chef, she threw in a salad on the house. After lunch, I wandered over to the library and waited for the 4pm opening. A local told me that they might not even open promptly at 4, and with 40 miles still ahead of me, I decided to take off. The cloud cover kept the desert cooler today and I made it to Illipah Reservoir with plenty of time for a quick dip, set up camp, and eat a nice dinner (oats, apple, peanut butter, and a granola bar) before shutting my eyes just after sunset.