We're in Wyoming - Day 25: Grant Village to Colter Bay Village (42 miles)

Yellowstone Lake from Grant Village

Did I mention that we are now in Wyoming? We crossed from Montana to Wyoming yesterday at the West Entrance to Yellowstone NP which marks the border between the two states.

Last night it got bitterly, bitterly cold camping in the park. Not only are we ill-equipped for rain, but we are ill-equipped for the cold as well. My theory was that I would rely on the layering technique if I had to, and just put on every item of clothing that I had brought with me if it got really cold. Steve's theory, on the other hand, was that it just wouldn't get cold!

When we woke in the morning it was -1C and it had been even colder through the wee hours of the morning. And so we had our latest start of the trip so far, not leaving Grant Village until 11am after we waited for the sun to warm us up and dry out our tent and after we had ridden into the village for our morning cup of Joe.

Despite the late start, today was another grand ride day. I am glad that there have been so many more great ride days than bad ride days on this journey. As far as I recall, so far there have only been two days when I wished I didn't have to ride any further.

Another crossing of the Continental Divide

Lewis Lake

Lewis Falls

Lewis River

We rode through the rest of Yellowstone NP, passing the peacefully clear Lewis Lake, Lewis River, Lewis Canyon and Lewis Falls. As we descended down to the South Entrance of the Park, the Grand Tetons started to come into view through the pass. This is another of my favourite descents. The mountains are so majestic and so very beautiful. The further we rode, the closer and bigger the mountains got. The rolling ride along Jackson Lake with the Tetons across the shoreline was simply spectacular. It was hard to concentrate on the road.

First glimpse of the Tetons on our descent

The Tetons rising out of Jackson Lake

View of the Tetons from the highway

We've stopped for the night in Colter Bay Village in the Grand Teton National Park which is right on the lake. Right now I am sitting on the stony beach in the sun by the lake, listening to the water lapping on the shore and waiting for the sun to go down behind the mountains.

Jackson Lake at Colter Bay Village

Contemplating the view (and a wash)

Late afternoon sunlight filtering over the Tetons

Sunset behind the Tetons

CRANKING ODYSSEY STATS

Total Odyssey miles: 1,443

Overall Fastest Speed: Steve (40.4 miles per hour) Mandy (35.4 miles per hour)

Bludge Days: 1

Bonks: nil

Dog chases: 3

Dummy Spits: Steve (2 - Day 10 because it rained; Day 16 - because the rocks in the river were slippery)

Mandy (0.5 - Day 14 those freakin' wreckless Idaho drivers!)

Flats: Katie (4)

Wrong turns: 6

Beer of the day: Snake River Brewing Monarch Pilsener

Lesson of the day: as soon as the sun goes down behind the mountains it gets cold again

No. of days with no shower: 11

No. of days in a hotel: 6

Starting weight: Steve (90kg) Mandy (51.5kg)

 

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