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Tuesday, July 15, John’s Birthday, 15 miles E. of Hite, Utah
Last night wasn’t cold at all. I slept without a shirt and rarely only used the sleeping bag as a cover. We got a fairly early start-8 am. I boiled some eggs and Mama packed everything up after we left so we could leave earlier. Plus it was Johnny’s birthday and she wanted to treat him to pancakes at the restaurant next door. We made pretty good time at the 26 mile mark Mama was waiting for us with the goodies. After eating and drinking, I took about an hour nap before leaving. John really enjoyed the echo he was making. The last 6 miles before Hite next to Powell Lake were hard because of the heat. It was about 2 pm and 100 degrees and we had to climb one last big hill. It seemed so miserable. Finally we made it and went to the camp store for cool drinks and fishing supplies. It was still blazing hot when we left so Willie, Vicky, John, Sarah, and I went swimming the lake-so refreshing, not too cool or warm-perfect. I felt much better when we got out. Gloria said she wanted us to go further tonight so we don’t have so far to go tomorrow (74 miles without services). It’s a good idea. Two girls were at the campsite last night who were heading the same way as we were. They just arrived, 5 pm, and were very tired. Gloria offered to carry their stuff tomorrow and tonight. We’ll probably pedal another 15 miles or so tonight which will leave only about 60 tomorrow. To be continued…
Well, we ate Top Ramen and watermelon with Karin and Debbie; then we pedaled off with them toward Blanding. The pedaling was nice and cool and energetic. Debbie had an interesting past-Panama, rap singer, photographer, a sister to triplets, and unknown future career. Before too long we had gone 15 miles and it was time to set up our tents for the night. By the time we settled down, it was dark so we went to bed. Unfortunately the tent stakes wouldn’t go in the rocky soil so we tried to prop panniers in the corner for support. That didn’t work (as I was to discover an hour later because of the wind) so I had to tie ropes from the tent to the van. It worked, sort of, but I didn’t get a restful sleep because of the flapping tent. 65 miles.