Day 39-41 Dubois, Wyoming

 

Day 39-41

Dubois, Wyoming (Population 1000)

      As mentioned earlier we spent a glorious week in the Grand Tetons.  Denise arrived and we were later joined by my sister Jennifer and her husband Ted.  Though the weather was cold and raining much of the time, it did not prevent us from seeing the glorious landscape revealed in that magical place.  Jennifer was able to take loads of photos and sent them to me at the end of her stay.  After Ted and Jennifer returned to California, I went to visit Yellowstone National Park with Denise.

      I had worked at Yellowstone 45 years ago, and it was nostalgic to me to see some of this place which continues to astonish me.  The hot springs around Old Faithful give one a glimpse into the enormous power which often lies hidden beneath the earth’s surface.  The multi-color pools which are constantly boiling have a mystical quality.

     On Tuesday morning, Denise drove me 20 miles from our Hotel and dropped me off at top of the continental divide near Moran, Wyoming.  It was 37 degrees (Fahrenheit) with ice pellets pelting upon us.  I was grateful that I had over 30 miles of downhill on a road with wide shoulder.  I squinted my eyes and sped down the hill comforting myself with the knowledge that every mile I travelled would bring me into a warmer environment.

      When I arrived in Dubois (which is locally pronounced dew boise) the sun had come up and the air had warmed to 60 degrees.  When I reached St. Thomas Church I was able to peel off my soaking wet clothes and have a warm shower.

     Upon arrival I was greeted by several members of the community here.  Pamela Glasser, a delightful candidate for ordination sponsored by the parish and took me, the priest (Bob McNamara) and his wife (Joan McNamara) out to a wonderful dinner at the Cowboy Café where I had one of most wonderful pieces of pie I have ever tasted.

     Pamela invited me to her graduation from seminary on Friday in Casper and offered to drive me, my bike, and my gear there.  I accepted her gracious offer which brings over another mountain range and gives me 3 days in beautiful Dubois.

     For several years, St. Thomas church has maintained a shelter for hikers and bikers who are travelling through the region.  While I arrived I met a man from New Orleans who was hiking the trail along the continental divide.  On the second night there were cross country cyclists from Indiana, North Carolina, the U.K. and the Netherlands.  I have discovered that there is a large network of people on long distance bike trips who tell each other of warm and safe places to stay along the journey.  The young man from Birmingham, England had cycled from Alaska to Argentina the year before with his father and decided to travel by himself from Oregon to Washington, D.C.  Two young men from Utrecht were students earning a degree in outdoor recreation and were writing a book about their cross country trip as their thesis.  My fellow shelter residents were all travelling from East to West.  They were travelling at various speeds and had encountered each other many times along their route.  I alone was travelling west to East.  We exchanged information about the roads we would take.

     On Tuesday night there was a delightfully raucous square dance at the church which drew people from the outlying areas.  On Thursday night there is a weekly jam session for local musicians.  I was disappointed that I was not able to bring my guitar along to participate.  Though this is a small town, they have an amazing ability to create their own recreation.  I will be sad to leave here tomorrow, but I will be glad to start biking again.