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Saturday, July 5, 2008, Lions Club RV Park, Milford, Utah
We got up early and were on the road by 5am. There was a slight headwind, but not too bad. We were no longer on Hwy. 50, America's Lonliest Highway, but Hwy. 487 is lonely too - no cars passed us for 16 miles. We took pictures at the Nevada-Utah border and the road changed to Hwy. 21. We had the time and safety to play our bike travel games: our spelling game “Word” and our singing game “Encore”. At the 45 mile mark, we came discovered the only building for miles, with two trees, in the midst of the desert. It was an old deserted farm house that someone had left years before. The door was locked, so we looked through the windows and saw old furniture and dishes from the 40s and 50s inside. There were two wood stoves and old style beds. Outside was an old ranch corral with farm remnants lying around. Strangely enough, the hose, which must have been from a well, was running, thus the two living trees in the midst of the dry barren countryside. The water was good too, so we drank and filled up our water bottles. This oasis was right in the middle of the 84 mile stretch without water or any services, the longest we will encounter in the cross-country trip. So, for those stuck in the middle of the desert on this stretch, check it out, it could be a life saver. Shortly after leaving the farm house, Mama arrived with the van and lots of ice-cold drinks and watermelon. I think I ate half the watermelon myself – with salt. I find that I drink almost constantly. I’m not sure how many gallons a day. After the pit stop, which drug on for almost an hour, a sudden cloud cover lured us on the road again. The thick clouds covered us almost the entire way up the last summit, and, even better, it began to rain on us. So cool! I was actually a little chilly going up the summit. Near the top, we stopped to check out a dead coyote and abandoned mine. We also saw the remains of an elk. After the short break, we pedaled over the last summit and coasted downhill but against the wind toward Milford, our destination for the day. For a small town of less than 2,000, it was nice and pretty clean. We set up the tent next to the park and ate meat, hot dogs, cottage cheese, and lots of drinks and snacks. We made it to Utah today! Tomorrow we plan to ride to Cedar City, about 40 miles away. I hope we make it in time for church. We also pedaled our most miles for a day. My odometer is on the blink, so I’ll have to reset it. Fortunately Becky’s works. 84 miles.