Trish & Phill's Tandem TransAmerican

Tour 2003 

Jul 1 Rawlins - Jeffery City 68mi

We were on the road pretty early again before six with an uphill road in front of us. We had gone about 5 miles when we came across a hiker. He was on the road but was about to turn inland and walk the divide, we chatted for a while but I could not help notice he was carrying very little on his back. Back east we had met hikers in Damascus who looked like they were carrying everything but the sink - this guy was traveling light into an area that had nothing hope he made it OK

Again we saw deer and antelope being early the other day we saw a coyote and now here's a dog a mile or so in front of us or is it another coyote? As we get nearer we can see it's a young German Shepard dog, it must be 8 miles from anywhere. We shout at it but it has a waggy tail and follows us for a couple of miles before giving up. Unfortunately it has got even further away from town.  Maybe he will find the hiker and latch on to him but the hiker's lack of gear may mean the dog could be dinner in a few days.

We rode down a hill of near 3 miles into Separation Flats aptly named as the flats do sit between high mountains. We stopped and had a bite to eat and looking around us we could see only mountains - more like a bowl than flats really.  The silence was staggering not a sound to be heard other than your own breathing.

We got to Lamont and had a late breakfast at Grandma's Cafe. They told us there was road works ahead, by the time we got out of the cafe there was a strong headwind blowing.

The riding was getting difficult by the time we got to the road works, fortunately the traffic control officer ( the guy with the red flag offered us a ride in the Pilot Truck. We obviously jumped at the chance and ended up getting a ride for about 5 miles. The last 22 miles into Jeffery City was into the wind but I was smiling for half of it after getting a good ride like that.

Jeffery City consists of a Motel, Pub/Diner and a Post Office. The owner of the Motel we are staying in told me the place had once been home to 5000 people. The town had many places just left Gas stations, Bowling Ally and Swimming Pool to name a few. A Uranium mine had  been close by until the late 70's when that closed everyone started to leave town. So if anyone is looking to buy a Motel I know of a place going fairly cheaply.

Page owned & maintained by Trish Collins email to  trishphill@aapt.net.au.  Last Updated 28/07/2003