(Revised this morning to add a few more pictures.)
My Dad, Nick and I lean our bikes against the railing of a bridge at the beginning of someones driveway. I pull Cliff bars out of my front snack pack and hand one to my Dad. We all take a layer or two off to compensate for the sun rising above the mountains. And to prepare for the eight mile climb ahead of us to Chief Joseph Pass.
As we stretch and drink water a blue pick-up truck slows to a stop. My Dad moves his bike out of the way so the man can turn down his driveway.
"Nice day for a bike ride," the burly man says with a grin.
I'm relieved he's friendly.
"Yeah we stopped to take some layers off. Its getting warm." Nick replies.
"Where y'all headed?"
"Up the pass to Wisdom."
"The mosquitoes will get ya."
"Yeah?"
"I worked steers up there a couple of summers ago and they were something fierce. But we learned if you didn't shower for four days they left you alone."
"Well, we're working on it."
******
My Dad told me to imagine I'm rolling a carpet up as I bike uphill.
"Rolling a carpet. I'm just rolling a carpet. Rolling a carpet." I say over and over again as I pedal up the steep incline that never lets up for miles.
The passengers in the cars that whiz past all crane their necks to stare.
One lady rolls down the window of her RV twice the size of ours and waves her fist in the air. "She gets it," I think, as I push that carpet up the mountain one stride at a time.
*****
I drive the RV down from the pass, 27 miles to Wisdom. Elias falls asleep in his car seat by the fifth mile. I forget to switch the RV out of second gear and putter along for 15 miles until I remember to switch it to drive.
In Wisdom, a town or a hundred people, I pull into the American Legions campground. Before I even turn off the motor I can see the mosquitoes swarming. They trap me in the RV.
I sit reading in the driver's seat until I remember the beds behind me. With Elias still asleep, I lie down with my book and wait.
Jackson Hot springs Lodge lays 18 miles ahead. Two outhouses, fire pits, picnic tables, and blood-sucking mosquitoes adorn the American legions campground.
I know where I'd rather camp.
When my parents and Nick roll in it takes them a few minutes of swatting to agree.
"Close the door," my mom says when I'm still half way in it.
"Jesus," I hear my dad mutter as he puts his bike on the rack.
Nick and I decide to bike the last leg to Jackson, pedaling fast to outrun the buzzing monsters, stopping only briefly, until we meet Elias, Mom and Dad in the water.
"Hot tub!!!" Elias says again and again in a voice that tells us all we made the right decision.
(And the cherry on top is I found internet here in Jackson. We plan to be in West Yellowstone by the weekend and more campgrounds and small towns in between. Thanks everyone for following along.)
I am so loving your posts and pics from this trip!!! We're about to leave for a week in the North Cascades, and your pictures are whetting my appetite... safe biking! Susan (at Prov)
Posted by: Susan | June 19, 2007 at 08:31 PM
Hi all-- we are enjoying your brave adventure from Truro and hope you complete your trip in one piece.
Posted by: gail & john | June 20, 2007 at 06:22 AM
Love your commentary! So envious of your trip so far! Hope you enjoy West Yellowstone, I truly loved it! And yes, the skeeters up here in Montana/Idaho will carry you away if you're not prepared for them! Have tons of fun!
Posted by: Katie | June 20, 2007 at 06:56 AM
What memories you all are making! How wonderful!
Posted by: Kyla | June 20, 2007 at 08:05 AM
1) I am living vicariously through you. The trip sounds AWESOME.
2) I'm going to try the carpet rolling analogy the next time I have a long hill ahead of me.
3) I just noticed for the first time that Elias has your chin. That boy, he is adorable.
Posted by: dregina | June 20, 2007 at 08:20 AM
You're entering one of my favorite parts of the country! I am so happy that you're all doing well and enjoying the ride. Big hugs!
Posted by: elizabeth | June 20, 2007 at 03:16 PM
I really am loving the pictures of your trip you are sharing -- and wow -- what a brave boy Elias is proving to be! And when you think of how fearless he is, just remember, you and your DH and parents are the awesome examples he is learning from! You are amazing! I enjoy following along (vicariously) with you -- keep up the great work!
Posted by: JenniferB | June 20, 2007 at 07:04 PM
Sounds amazing! I love living vicariously through you:)
Posted by: becci | June 21, 2007 at 06:17 AM
Thanks for taking us along on the trip. The pictures are great. I love your blog site.
Posted by: Noreen | June 21, 2007 at 03:16 PM
Amazing. That pic of Elias in his walker in the field is just beautiful. Thank you for taking us on this trip.
Posted by: Vicki Forman | June 22, 2007 at 05:51 AM
you re a terrific family.. God bless you.
Posted by: the mad momma | June 26, 2007 at 09:19 AM