From Emblem to Sheridan to Gillette to Moorcroft

Starting in Emblem, population: 10. This might have been one of the most beautiful stretches of road, but Amanda and Brittany only made it 30 miles. Then Amanda pulled over and said, "I need to mentally assess my physical capabilities." (Who says that?!) They rested and had lunch, and once they were ready to go, they noticed that Amanda's back tire was flat. The hand pump didn't work because it wasn't compatible with the new tube valve (a presta-valve--for those bike savvy readers). Amanda went to go find a phone because WY has no service, and the third door she knocked on there was a sweet lady who let them use the phone and a man who was willing to drive them to Dirty Annie's (a combination restaurant/store in Shell, WY, population: 50). At Dirty Annie's they toasted their Fat Tire's to their first flat tire. We must mention that they were only $1.75 each--so cheap!

Meanwhile, Anna finally found cell phone service at the top of the mountain pass and received their distress call just before her phone died. They were soon enough reunited and on their way to Sheridan to visit Chelsie, a Northwestern friend. It was a HUGE relief to be in such luxury for the evening. Wash cloths, ice and chicken curry--not to mention beds! and a shelter from the rain. Thanks Chelsie!

The next day we went to the Back Country Bike Shop and loaded up with supplies. Every now and then one of us would say, "This is what our bike shop would be like..." Bike tubes were eco-friendly patched and new converters were purchased. Amanda and Brittany started biking around 11am and the landscape was beautiful with cows and sheep conversing. The first 55 miles were awesome; the last 15...sucked. It was so windy. They ended up in Spotted Horse, population: 2. Anna hung out in Sheridan at the Java Moon and then watched one of the most amazing lightning storms from the car off hwy 14-16.

We headed to Gillette, WY to Green Tree's Crazy Woman Campground. There we made tortilla pizza's in the microwave (to Amanda's dismay), and met a young man named Jonathan who was getting his Master's in Neuro-Science. He was so excited about our biking adventure, he considered biking to Moorcroft with us the next day. So exhausted, we sat in the camp's lounge until after dark, then remembered that we hadn't set up the tent...whoops. Last night was one of the LOUDEST we've ever experienced. Trains, planes and automobiles, birds chirping, the rain, people talking...etc. etc. etc.

Without Jonathan, Amanda and Brittany headed to Moorcroft, a mere 28 miles from town. It was nice to have a short day. Not much exciting happened for anyone. Now we're on our way to Devil's Tower to see the first (so says the sign) national monument in the US.