Rattles and Rain

Day 36. Wednesday September 21. 39.7 miles for a total of 1458. We climbed 3,789 feet. We had packed and left before breakfast because we had no water. A mile or two up the road we found a creek where we stopped to pump water, and we rode up until we were in the sunshine and stopped to cook breakfast. The riding was varied and the same. The dirt road was well packed and we went down a great paved hill - the steepest down yet, or perhaps it just seemed that way because we had no wind pushing back on us! We left Wyoming and entered Colorado, the first town and post office in a trailer was just over the border in the town of Slater. As we climbed the dirt road we passed two snakes basking in the sun and then saw a couple more as we climbed. Two good sized rattlers and two smaller unidentified slitherers. Ended our day Just after Brush Mountain lodge shortly after seeing the two rattlesnakes in the road! Are we camping near here?! Yikes! We also met Kirsten, the lodge keeper, on her way to Phoenix in her camper truck after her season at the lodge ended. She gave us two Mountain Dews, directions to get water at the lodge and directions to camp on her land. People are so kind! We filled up with water at the brush mountain lodge and talked with the elk hunters, hunting with bows. Then we biked another mile or so and found a tenting spot on Kirsten‘s land. It was going to rain so we had an early dinner at 4:30 PM and we’re in the tent and it was raining by 5 PM. It’s been a long evening but Tara sewed up her vest (Frankenstein like)that was caught in her bicycle brake and a bit shredded. I took notes for the blog and sorted photos. Also ate about 8 powdered donuts after dinner. Tonight we are sticky and stinky in the tent together now due to the cold temperatures. We just had a nice cup of tea and are waiting for the Marsha rule to kick in, which means we can go to bed, but not until after 8 PM.