Hanging out in Del Norte

Hey all,

Jamie and I will be staying in Del Norte one more day. We've met some super nice folks that are letting us stay at their house tonight. It is incredibly windy out today and I haven't really eaten anything in the past two days so we figure its best to take another day to recouperate before going out again (that and Andrew Gilchrist is much smarter than I am and I'm listening to his advice).

We've been writing a lot about how difficult the trail is but not enough about how beautiful the trail is. What we have seen the past weeks are just too incredible for us to describe in just words. Pictures can't even do the scenery justice but its the best we can show y'all. We've mailed another CD full of pictures back to Jamie's parents house and as soon as they arrive, the pictures will be posted. We've seen everything from desert to snow capped mountains, much of it not accessible by cars and even it you could get a 4WD up there, you would probably take an easier route. End result, we've seen things we didn't even know existed and makes all the difficult parts even more worth it. Doing things by bike gives you a completely different perspective on things. You really get the feel of the land and plenty of time to appreciate what you see. Also, because you spent so many calories to get there, you only appreciate everything even more. So even though we talk about how difficult it is (and we're not joking or exaggerating) neither of us would trade it out what we've experienced for an easier route. In fact, easier routes appear all the time and so far the only easier option we've taken is the bypass around Indiana pass. Judging by the stories of the four that went over, I think we made the right decision. Like Jamie said, we're on a bike tour, not a mountianering expedition.

So eventually, more pictures will be posted to give all of y'all at home a small taste of what your missing. Tomorrow, we pedal out on our way to Salida, CO. It should take us about 4 days. People say that this next stretch is the most scenic. I didn't realize you could top what we've seen so far.

Lee

Update on the rest of the folks

Josh and Ryan left yesterday with Micheal (one of the four mountaineers). Josh and Micheal both got sick from the water in Platoro and we hope to see them again sometime.

David, Lee, and George (the other mountianeers that went over Indiana pass) carried on without Micheal and left Del Norte two days ago.

Jon went off the trail to meet up with a friend of his and will spend the next couple weeks mountain biking and will eventually get back on the trail in Crested Butte. I'm a little jealous. Jon left before we all started getting sick so I don't know if he feel prey to the platoro water as well. I hope he didn't and he's doing alright because getting your fluids through an IV isn't a lot of fun.