Where the Water Leads

(Written June 29, 2007)

We made it.

We biked over 1200 miles from Puget Sound to Kaycee Wyoming in less than a month. We hugged and kissed in the Exxon parking lot after taking pictures under the sign for Kaycee: population 249, elevation 4660.  Miles of dirt roads lead to my great aunt Lois and Crow’s ranch so we chose the small town as our final destination.

As my Dad began loading the bikes, I still straddled mine, holding the worn handlebars gently with both hands.

We considered downing shots of whiskey at the Hole in the Wall Bar to celebrate but decided against it. Instead we all loaded into the RV and drank water from our bike bottles. Sweaty and dusty, we drove along the sagebrush to the Gordon ranch.

Lois and Crow greeted us with a house of our own, complete with a stocked refrigerator, laundry, and private bathrooms to shower. Later that evening we joined them for pork loin and potatoes with Key lime pie for dessert. After dinner, on our way back to the guesthouse, Elias said, “It was fun to meet them.”

This morning we strolled around the property, greeting ranch hands, horses, cows, and chickens as our bikes rested on the back of the RV.  “Normally we’ be getting on our bikes about now,” I said as we meandered towards the Powder River.

“Yeah, its about that time. “ Nick answered. 9:00 am. And already hot. Not one of us seemed anxious to ride. We lingered in the shade of a large Cottonwood tree that grew next to the bridge over the river.

“Water on both sides,” Elias said as we peeked over the edge. “Go see other water.” He craned his head and pointed to the other side of the bridge. My Dad turned the stroller around.

“It’s the same water,” my mom said.

“Water goes UNDER bridge.” Elias replied. And I thought about his brain, his so-called damaged brain, and how much information it already holds, all the associations and connections, the language and pictures, the memories and faces, and wondered where it will lead him.

Where will he lead us?

“So this is the same river from Powder River Pass,” I said, stating the obvious as usual.

“Yep, it starts somewhere up in those mountains.” My Dad answered, pointing towards the Big Horns that surrounded us. The same mountains that almost broke us two days earlier as we climbed them on our bikes. 

And here it is, the life source of Lois and Crow’s 3,000 acre ranch, winding through the pastures, providing food for the cattle, showers for weary travelers, and sun-baked iced tea in the heat of the afternoon.

Comments

[jill]

Congrats! Kaycee is a great place. Nothing like the sight of the Big Horn Mountains to greet you in the morning....congrats on acomplishing your goal and celebrating in the company of family in a beautiful spot. Enjoy!

[Bon]

dude...you so rock. i seriously fear biking around the block.

i am impressed. and proud, y'know?

the pics of Elias and his older compatriots...? lovely. such life in those faces.

[liz r]

Way to go christy and nick and family!

I just loved this whole adventure VIA the blog. It has sparked incredible conversations in our household and I thank you for that...everything from biking with my folks, to how to balance the love of family from the east with a man who is born for the west...and of course...a conversation about how inspiring it is to hear about it, enough that we want to do it...:)

[Kyla]

Awesome!! Way to go Christy and crew! You guys did great!

[gabby]

wow, what an accomplishment! I can't tell you how fun it's been following along your journey. So neat. Congratulations!

[Katelynsmama]

Wow you're amazing I used to go to church camp up in the Big Horns and I can't imagaine biking those roads.

[Lisse]

Congratulations! What an amazing experience. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[Deidre]

Congrats to the whole family! Sounds like a great trip and some awesome memories.
Lots of love
D

[Christy]

You'd never know Crow celebrates his 90th birthday this summer...if he can still run a ranch and Lois, in her mid-eighties, can chase cattle in her car across the mesa, well, than I can do anything.

Thank you all for your support, your words, and this community you gift to me. I'm blessed.