June 2, Day 27, Dubois Wyoming- 67 miles

leaving the Grand Tetons was not easy. I spent a good deal of time the evening before sitting by the marina and just staring at the majestic and strikingly bold mountain range. I will certainly return here with spouse at some point to fully experience this part of the country.

My route today was primarily a 20 mile rolling build up to a 3,000 foot climb up Togwotee Pass, which is the second highest peak along the Trans America route at roughly 9,600 feet in elevation. The other is waiting for me in Colorado. Togwotee Pass was about 1,000 feet higher then I have ever ridden a bike up to.( never end a sentence with a preposition like I just did)

Two minutes after pulling out of the resort area I saw another full pack rider standing along the side of the road taking pictures. I rode up and introduced myself and asked where he was headed. His name was Wally and he was 56. And he was headed to Alaska!! before I could ask where he started he flatly blurted out, " I started in Sarasota Florida back in March." Holy mackerel. Try to imagine me at a loss for words. Wally had been at it for about three months(winter months!) and figured he was approximately halfway.  told him where I was headed but it just didn't seem to carry the punch. I took a flick of Wally, my new idol, wished him the best and we parted. lesson in perspective complete.

The amazing Wally!

The climb to Togwotee pass took almost three hours but I eventually got there. I made yellow snow and started 25 miles of gradual downhill nearly all the way to my destination, Dubois(pronounced Due Boys) Wyoming, a windy little rough and tumble town with an edge. From the awe inspiring Tetons to Gun smoke in one day. I arrived on the precipice of starvation due primarily to having missed lunch. There was simply no place to eat for 66 miles! I managed to grab a Snickers bar and a frozen burrito at a RV park store 20 miles from Dubois but it was no where near enough calories to replace the gazillion or so I burned. Now I know why they refer to people like me as Clydesdale's. I need hay all the time!

Leaving Buffalo Creek Valley and starting the climb
to Togwotee Pass.

I checked into the Trails End Lodge and met the owner and his wife. The male half was a former cage fighter long ago and actually watched my son Jeremy fight Rob McCullough in Southern California years earlier. That connection got me the owner's special rate and a room right next to the WiFi antenna!

Togwotee pass was the last major climb that I will have to deal with for awhile. The terrain over the 200 miles or so is more subdued and the major element will be winds.

I am beginning to plan my eventual arrival into Pueblo Colorado mid month where my my wife and I will re-unite for two or three days. In order to time my arrival to match her scheduled arrival date I will need to stall for a couple of days over the next two weeks. I will use one such stall day after tomorrow when I reach the town of Landers. There is a bike shop there and Silver needs a physical and some loving attention. I need a haircut and a massage from somebody named Helga.