June 1, Day 26, Colter Bay Village, Wyoming-58 miles

I walked out of the Old Faithful Lodge and into the brisk 31 degree morning air at the stroke of 7:00 AM. I had no intentions on leaving this early but there was little else to do and the restaurant was not open for breakfast yet. Today was going to be a mixed bag of ups and downs while crossing the continental divide three times. The weather called for rain but at departure time it was dry. Tourists whom I spoke with the evening prior told me thee was lots of snow up where I was headed. Lots of snow.

One of three Continental Divide crossings

I didn't get to the top of the first pass before it started raining. The rain felt very cold and was probably more like sleet. Snow accumulations were already piling up and as I passed the 8,000 foot threshold I was fully surrounded by that wonderful white stuff and it was cold! The rain continued on and off over the next couple hours as I cleared the second and highest peak of the day. The temperature felt like it had dropped into the 20's.

After clearing the peaks I began my up and down descent down toward the south exit from Yellowsone and into the Grand Teton National Park. When the mountain opened up to the Tetons I almost passed out from the stunning views before me. I could not believe my eyes. With all the fabulous views I have been witness to over the last three weeks, these were the greatest ad most stunning. I don't think I went more than a mile at a time without stopping to take pictures or video. Unbelievable...........

Grand Tetons

After lunch at Flagg resort just outside of Yellowstone I caught up to a three person cycling group slowly climbing the last of the days hillls. They all stopped just in front of me and next to a mini van that was waiting for them.

View from the road

They were three young Asian adults who were on the same route as I and left Astoria three days earlier then my departure date. The parents of one of the riders were in the mini van and were travelling along with them the whole way as a support crew. We exchange info and promised to stay in contact as we both progressed across the country.

I eventually made it to Colter Bay Village, which sits on the lake in the shadow of the Grand Tetons. It is a gorgeous place.

Tomorrow I climb the second highest peak of the TransAmerica route, Togwottie pass. At roughly 9400 feet, it will be test my lungs and my legs. The weather forecast looks ok.