The Wild, Wonderful West
Greetings from the Trans-American Bicycle Route

It is joyous to be in the west.  The air is dry and the nights are cool.  Since leaving Hells's Half Acre over a week ago, I've started each day wearing cold weather cycling gear.  I'm using my leg warmers, arm warmers, and vest every morning and on a few occasions I've worn my gloves and shoe covers.

Besides being cooler and drier, the scenery has also become more dramatic.  There is one thing, however, that has added more to my journey than anything else -- meeting other travelers.  This page is a pictorial of the places I've seen and the people I've met since leaving Hell's Half Acre.

As of July 30th I have bicycled 1,596 miles.  I left on July 7th for what was planned to be a 2,800 mile trip.  It may, however, turn out to be closer to 3,000 when I'm done.

People

Karen provided me with some much needed civilization at the Splitrock Cafe in Riverton, WY.  This place not only serves good cappuccino but they have a selection of vegetarian sandwiches including a tofu hot dog which I loved!

Eric and Christine are mountain bikers pulling BOBs along the Continental Divide Trail.  This is a gravel road and single track route that is a real back country experience.  When asked about the BOB (a trailer to carry gear with a bike instead of panniers), Steve recalled the time his BOB jack-knifed and flipped in front of him.  Christine was quick to point out that he was the only one of several riders foolish enough to bike instead of walk that steep downhill.

I met Andrea (above) and Leigh (right) at Jenny Lake in the Grand Tetons.  Together we enjoyed two meals and stories of life on the road.  Afterward Leigh headed east, Andrea south, and I to the west. 

At Grant Village in Yellowstone I met Daniel and Ariel who are from Switzerland on a delayed honeymoon.  They are doing the Trans-American route west to east.

I met Bill at Canyon Village in Yellowstone.  He and I spent a day biking from there to West Yellowstone, Montana.  He's an interesting guy but I failed to get his contact information so Bill -- send me email, jking@mailbag.com.
Among the "not pictured" is Shelly and Steve.  They have been on the road now for about four months, having started in Australia.  They intend to live on the road for at least another 14 months.  Cycling South America doing our winter months is next on the agenda.
Places

Grand Teton National Park was under a cloud of smoke when I was there because of a wild fire raging near Jackson, WY.  Still, I enjoyed camping at Jenny Lake and seeing the sights there.

The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone as seen from the top of the lower falls (above).  The eruption of Continuous Geyser (right) has predictable properties.
There are many wonders at Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks that are simply impossible to photograph.  These photos capture only the slightest impression of the magnificence of this place.
Animals

The buffalo were crossing the road between Lake Village and Canyon Village in Yellowstone.

Two large buck elk were see grazing near Canyon Village.
-joe, jking@mailbag.com