BikerAl Across America 2018

Woke up to 4″ of new snow.  We were looking pretty bare, but not now.

On my last trip across country in 2014, people wanted to ask questions or make comments, I welcome both. However, I don’t have time to answer emails every day and I don’t want my email address to be made public. So I ask you to use the comment section directly below each post for questions or comments.

Usually, a question from one person is something others want to know, too. Reading your comments is like getting mail. I look forward to hearing from you, and thanks for understanding.

Oh, my gosh, I can’t believe it. It is raining snow pellets and dark as early evening here in the middle of the afternoon.  I predict this is going to be the wettest bike trip ever.

In talking to my brother in Ohio, they have had, and are still having, unseasonably cold and extremely wet weather. And just 70 miles from home, they had a tornado last night with quarter-size hail. Can you imagine me on a bike getting caught in that kind of weather?  I’d probably mess my pants, sorry, but I probably would.

I lucked out four years ago and was hoping for a repeat of the most awesome summer ever.  I’m preparing myself mentally for a totally different kind of ride.  Could be interesting.

Another awesome mountain shot from today. I live in such a beautiful place but just have the need to see other parts of the country. Time is flying fast and I’ll soon be on the road.

Also, a shot from earlier.

Snow is starting to melt fast, so now I’m starting to feel a little pressure. So many last minute things to do.

My beautiful mountains.  I will miss the sunrises more than anything.  They’re different every day and even while you stand there and watch.

Today, I drove past Dubois, WY, where I want to start, and I found a great place to camp 30 miles out of Dubois, so my first day does not have to be 77 miles.

I feel so much better knowing I won’t be stressed to the max the first day.  A big relief. I’m getting so psyched to start my trip–just need to get some NICE weather.

Well, 20 inches later.  I blew twice, shoveled once and need to blow again.  Unreal!

I said this would happen. We have had more than 12 inches yesterday and today, and it is still snowing.

I blew my drive this morning, and we’ve already had another three inches.  I wanted snow, but not this late in the season. I am already apologizing to my bike because it is gonna be quite a while before we get to ride now this spring. We have more snow now on the ground than we’ve had all winter. Unreal!

You know, 10 days ago the bike path between Driggs and Victor was almost 100% bare. I was ready to get on the bike, and then the temps dropped to the teens, and, soon after, we got more snow. Super cold and snowy ever since, and now we have a big storm moving in.

This is very reminiscent of the last time I tried to get my butt in shape before my long ride. The weather just teases us, then socks it to us.  Oh, well, nothing I can do about it.

Well, I just celebrated my 70th birthday and am now officially a septuagenarian. Doesn’t seem possible.

Weather lately has been atrocious. We set record highs in SE Idaho last week, and we have had more rain than snow. The valley is brown and I have grass showing around my house. Makes me wonder what April will be like.

Either we will have a really early spring, which could be great for an early departure, or, worse case scenario, we will have winter in April.  Who’s to say.

I tho’t I published a blog yesterday with two pictures but it seems to have disappeared. Will try this again.

As I watched it snow yesterday, I was thinking about what I was going to miss this summer while on my bike. Of course, my garden.

As I ride, I am constantly on the lookout for a garden to inspire me. I’ve been known to stop and talk to gardeners or just walk through their garden if they aren’t there. Does wonders for the psyche.