Day 15

Location - Jackson Hole, Wyoming Miles/Total Miles - 88/1,029 Climb - 5,500
A big day today, a day of firsts, a day of climbing, a day to remember. It started early with breakfast at 5:30 then off to the mountains. The approach to the Tetons is spectacular, very similar to the alps, with emerald fields of crops giving way to meadows and pines. We encountered heavy headwinds heading up towards the pass making for more ruff going. I stopped to take a picture of an osprey, un-clipped my foot on one side, turned to take the picture and the wind blew me over. An embarrassing moment, a few band aids and I was back on the road. We stopped for lunch in the town of Victor which was the location of the "Rendezvous" where the trappers, Indians and fur traders got together each year. We started climbing after lunch where the grade went from 4% in the first few miles through lush forests to 8% seven miles from the top and then 10% for the last three miles. I had to stop two times to catch my breath but I made the top and the rest is history. Teton Pass, 8,431' the view to Jackson Hole went on forever. I got to the top and had a moment, this has been the day I've been dreading and had fears way back when I signed up for this that I couldn't make these climbs. When you brush aside your misgivings, push youself hard and accomplish something you never thought you could do, it goes deep. We also crossed into Wyoming today and went over 1,000 miles on the trip. When's the last time anybody you know rode a bike a 1,000 miles? I certainly don't know anybody that crazy.
This is a shot of a bunch of us at the Wyoming border just short of the pass. That's me, rear left.

This is a shot of a barn covered in hay bales, then dirt and the grass/shrubs grow right over it. There all over the place up here. Interesting.