Day 49, Ordway, CO 64 mi (2256 total)

Another beautiful day for riding, although a little warmer (92 high but low humidity). And again we've been fortunate to have nothing more than a slight cross-wind to deal with.

57 miles of NO services today, and although we carry an extra water jug with us, we were fortunate to run into the Dunns from Covington, OH, a family of supported cyclists headed east. They were kind enough to offer us snacks and water. We immediately connected as Steve was wearing an Ohio State jersey, where our son Matthew went to school. We also learned that they love to vacation in Lake Placid, NY, just a few miles from our hometown. In fact, both Steve and his wife Kim (head of the support team), have participated in the Lake Placid Ironman event several times, which means they have actually cycled right past our house (on the ironman route) many times! We plan on being out in front of our house next year to cheer them on as they ride past!

We also met Richard from New Zealand, traveling solo and fully loaded, finishing up a trip he had started last summer. His final destination is Miami, FL.

Six miles before Ordway and out of water, we pulled into tiny Sugar City (pop. 279), praying for something to be open (it's Sunday), and there it was, "the Sugar City Diner"! We quenched our parched throats on ice-cold drinks and had a ice cream sundae. One other interesting note, we figured it has now been 10 days and 550 miles since we have last seen a McDonald's restaurant! Try doing that without driving on any dirt roads! We just love pulling into a small town and finding a thriving local diner filled with friendly people, anxious to tell you about their town. Usually there is a table with the regulars, talking about the wheat harvest, yesterday's hydraulic fluid leak on the tractor, and who's going on vacation. Often one of these regulars will grab the coffee pot and make the rounds, topping off every cup in the place.

Today's scenic highlights included:
- miles and miles of wide open rangeland, with 200 gozillion grasshoppers jumping through it and our spokes. A few beef cattle hanging out around the waterholes.
-25 miles of Union Pacific cattle cars sitting on the railroad tracks (that we have been paralleling for several hundred miles). We calculated that is at least 2500 rail cars. Sponge Bob and Plankton were painted on one. I assume they will begin to roll as the cattle are finished off in the fall. A few of the cars had side panels kicked out, obviously the work of some yahoo heifers not looking forward to becoming sirloin steaks.
-THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS! Off on the western horizon! It was a very clear day.