Just a quickie as I wait for the pizza I am bringing back to our campsite. We left Panguitch early this morning after waking at the crack of dawn and watching the "mass ascension" of 35 hot air balloons into the reddening sky of dawn. Without our trusty sag, we were once again hauling our own stuff up and down about 4,000ft. of hilly terrain. We had a 68 mile day but it wore us out. About 20 miles from Escalante (our destination)we looked up to see 4 miles of winding road, 13% grade stretching out before us. At first we thought "this can't be, this must be a fire road or a deer trail or something". But, we conquered it in the end, albeit at about 2 mph. I haven't worked that hard on a bike since Mix Canyon. Actually, until this trip the last time I'd used my "Granny Gear" WAS going up Mix, now I practically live there. We arrived at the state park campground about 1 mile west of Escalante at about 5:30pm and everyone promptly jumped into the reservoir. It felt like heaven. Then I emptied the trailer and rode into town for dinner fixen's and stuff for breakie, only to find EVERYTHING closed. I was about to cry. Sunday is a great day to ride bikes in Utah because the highways are empty, but not a good day to buy groceries after 5pm. On my way home however I passed a little pizza place and lo and behold, free internet. Thank you so much Ken, for posting those pictures. Everyone misses you. We did review/preview last night and when we got to the negative things of the day the only negative thing we could think of was "that Ken left".
Anyhow, my Pizza is ready and I'm sure everyone is wondering where I am.
L,
D
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11 comments:
Hi Matt, Djina , Yonah and Solomon, We all miss you and Daniel misses Solomon a lot! Anyway, I couldn't bring myself to write after the day of horror cause we were all so upset to think of you stranded, waterless, with a flat in the desert, but now that I hear you have had chocolate and a pedicure and have seen Bryce I feel much better. Will you go by Canyon de Chelly? Because if you do it's also a must see, if you haven't. All our love, ruth.
Daniel says,
Hi Solomon, I hope to see you again right when you get back. I wish you were coming to the same school as me. Well, we can always have playdates. Bye.
P.S. I've taken my dad, Lewis and some folks from the Bay Area to the Di Rosa Preserve since I joined last visit and I can not thank you enough for introducing me to such an amazing spot. Such a trail blazer you are in so many different arenas! From high culture to high peaks to antlers. . . And incidentally I did a motorcycle trip halfway up the east coast during my misspent youth and let me tell you, its harder on the butt than bicycling. But driving through the fog across a bridge at night on a motorcycle is magical. xox, Ruth
Hello all - We read about your adventure in the Hutchinson Kansas paper. Please let us know when you know when you'll arrive in Hudson. We're down the road a bit from there and would love to meet you and feed you. We can be reached at catherine@hartofkansas.com
~Catherine and Daniel
At my post again, doing my job.
A silent morning from you. No connections I guess..but we all
wait with baited breath to learn more about the next leg of this
incomparable journey. As I read
others comments, I see there are
other cyclists out there. A whole new world for me..who knew there were people willing to spend 10 hours on a bike. If I walk an hour a day..i think I am a fine
athelete...ah..I have been undone. I am spreading your petition around so others may sign on to this. You should be supported in this important effort..to keep the planet green.If we could only rely on our politicians to do the right thing, wouldn't that be a brave new world?
But right now you guys are the brave ones. Here is a kiss I am blowing your way.
Ant-Y V
Hi Dear Matt, Djina, Yonah and Solly,
Finally we've caught up with your "edge-of-the-seat," delightful posts! Mazoltov on this incredible journey. I think about you every day and try to picture the desert, the boys, the ice cream and pedicures.
Julia came home from Spain a few days ago (your next adventure?!) feeling like a citizen of the world, and Josh is due home in a few hours with a credential after a challenging year at UCLA. Matt, we've increased our appreciation of what you do as a teacher;>)
Thanks for sharing your hearts with all of us.
Much love from the 'hood,
Lyra, Alan, Josh & Julia
Hey All,
We love following the postings and eagerly await the next one. Wow, Yonah is now bigger than you Djina.
We keep vigil on the Western horizon for the appearance of the Biers-Ariel family out on this coast. Till then,
Love,
The Silver-Lewis family.
Its Thursday already and Sunday was your last post. What's up?
Where are you now?
ANTY-V in RI
Hi all,
We hope you're doing well and eagerly await your next post, whenever you reach civilization again. I think of you all pedaling away (especially during long runs) and hope the flat tires are few and the water plentiful.
Love, Teri
Hi to the amazing Biers-Ariel Family - I am at work reviewing applications to the Governor's Environmental and Economic Leadership Award - the State of California's highest award. There is a new category this year in Climate Change - so next year I am going to nominate Yonah and family!
Much love and fortitude,
Casey and co.
Oh Man! I LOVE getting all these precious comments from you all. I wish I had time to write to everyone personally. I have about 5 days of blogging to do and it is almost midnight already. Let me just say that Solomon misses his friends soooo much. He talks about them constantly and sends everyone a laugh, a hug, and a big smile.
Ruth, I MUST hear more about your motorcycle trip.
I love and miss you all like the dickens.
Djina
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