My plan was to leave by 9am, but of course, I didn’t make it out until just after 10am. Oh well. I don’t like rushing and there wasn’t a real need to get out at the time. I’m just glad it wasn’t any later than that.
As soon as I stepped foot out of the house I could tell it was going to be a windy day. But it wasn’t until I got on the road that I knew HOW windy. It was almost as bad as the day I rode in. But perhaps that’s a fitting way to end that portion of my trip. Windy in – windy out. Very disconcerting. Not enjoyable at all. Another motorcyclist I talked to used the term “brutal”. I guess that pretty much sums it up. I tried as much as possible both to stay as focused on the road while dealing with the wind, but also every now and then, to see the surrounding countryside. I didn’t want to pass through it and miss it all. For the most part it was rolling hills, but as I closed in on Thermopolis some taller hills, almost mountains, started coming into view. The last 20 miles I was in the bottom of a canyon with 1,000 foot (?) almost vertical hillsides on either side of the road. Very impressive. I hope the video camera got all that.
There were a number of signs and crossing gates that said, “Road closed when lights are flashing. Return to (insert here the name of town you just left). Violators subject to jail and/or fines.” While none of them were flashing (I’m sure that’s only during winter months), it was still cool. The lowest was 66 degrees F and the highest couldn’t have been any more than 80.
My first night of camping was at the Eagle RV Park in Thermopolis. I pulled in 6:30pm or so. Checked in. Set up camp and went into town for dinner and a few supplies. Very small town, but they had all the necessities. Went back to camp. Hooked up the their free Wi-Fi for a bit and then put everything away, took a shower in their very nice and clean facilities, and went to sleep.
Mileage | Today: 361 | Trip To Date: 2,763