SEA TO SHINING SEA: Cruising into Colorado

DAY 45 & 46 - June 26 & 27 - We covered 48 miles today between Riverside, Wyoming and Walden, Colorado.  We started with a light headwind and finished the day with a merciful tailwind. We spent the day in camp yesterday.  I'm nursing a persistent tender stomach. Ready for the plumbing system to return to normal.

We continue to pass a variety of cyclists making their way from east to west across this HUGE nation. Today, a family of four, color-coordinated in Colorado State bike jerseys, came along ahead of a single woman from Portland, Oregon finishing a trip she started two years ago.  She's traveling with her Chihuaha-like dog, Digit, in a wicker basket on the front of her bike, ala Toto from the Wizard of Oz.

We pitched our tent in the Walden city park but my gut gave me marching orders. At 7 p.m. we decamped quickly, chased by a horde of mosquitoes, and grabbed a room a few blocks away in the North Park Inn.

DAY 47 & 48 - JUNE 28 & 29 - Waldening our way across America.

Still here in this little town at the center of Colorado's North Park - so-named because it's a green region surrounded by mountains.  I'm told there's also a Central Park and South Park.  Big, big areas.

Had to hit the clinic yesterday. Bug still biting.  PA told me that I likely got into some bad food.  She hooked me up with some antibiotics - anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-social. Already tired of dry toast, rice, oatmeal and applesauce - and water.  Party animal.  At least the Birds beat the Yankees last night.  Two more - tonight and Sunday night.  And how about Detroit's Max Scherzer? Won his 12th last night.  12-0.  First pitcher to do that since Clemens went 14-0 to start the '86 season for Boston.  Detroit's a classy club with strong pitching and hitting. Cabrera a beast! Second in home runs only to the Orioles' Crush Davis.

This journey's getting ready to take on a different mood.  We're about to combine some driving with pedaling.  Have a lot to do between now and Labor Day when we want to be back home.  Home sweet home! You have no idea how much we miss thunderstorms, humidity and familiar faces. Out here it's dry as a bone.  Locals are praying for rain. At least eight weeks since they saw the last drop.

A final note about this bug.  I can't help but think I'm being haunted by the young woman I wrote about who had killed her father with a slice of strychnine-laced pie. She spent four years in the Wyoming State Penitentiary in Rawlins.  Plenty of time to learn some conjuring to torment future visitors to that prison that has now become a museum.  I told you there was lots of negative energy there.  Obviously I carried some of it away with me. Then again, maybe I'm just reading too much Harry Potter.

Stay tuned.  Thanks for all of your comments and thoughts.