July 14 Crossing America

Blanding, UT – Hite Recreation Area, UT Distance 80 miles, I rode 52.
Total distance traveled through today 2,803, on my bike 2,343.

Blanding, UT – Hite Recreation Area, UT Distance 80 miles, I rode 52.
Total distance traveled through today 2,803, on my bike 2,343.

Have I mentioned what an idiot I am when it comes to mechanical problems?  Yea, I have but still don’t learn.  Just before leaving camp this morning I felt my rear tire and discovered it was low in air.   Last night when I aired my tires, I noticed this rear tire was low.  Should have changed the tire then but no it’s a slow leak I can leave with it until tomorrow night.  This morning same thing I should have changed the tire before leaving but want to get on the road as have a hard and long way to go.  Good in theory but doesn’t work.  I made it all of 11 miles before my tire went flat.  I dismounted and was trying to
figure out how to kick my butt for not doing what I should have done in camp.  I no more then turned my bike upside down to change the tire and a local, Bob, and the first vehicle to come by stopped and asked if I needed help.   Well, since I’m at the of a tough 10 miles climb would he mind giving me a ride to the top which he agreed too.   Bob and I were having good conversation about my ride and how my friend Mike had been my inspiration to finally do it.  For those who haven’t kept up with my journal Mike had worked all his
life and had the money to do whatever but health failed and he died without enjoying the fruits of his labor.  His final advice was for me to not wait until I had the time or all the money I needed before doing whatever.  Sharing this story with Bob he responded, “You know I will have 30 years in with my company next year and eligible to retire.  I was going to continue working until 65 another 6 years but now you have me thinking I should go ahead and retire.   Thanks, it has been a good thing to talk with you today.  You have inspired me to rethink my life”.  Bob I hope you follow through retire and follow whatever dream you have.   It has been equally my pleasure to ride with you today.

My ride up the hill with Bob turned out to be an 8 mile ride.  Not only did we share good conversation but he was like a tour guide showing pointing out the scenic sights along this
beautiful stretch of road.

Windgate Mesa as pointed out by Bob

After unloading my bike from Bob’s truck I once again turned my bike upside down to remove the tire but before I could a motorhome came along and stopped.  Exiting from the RV was Christian Gerhardt a German fellow vacationing here in America for 3 weeks with his wife Annett, daughter Annilza and son Darius.   Christian asked if I needed a ride.   Not really but still on a high from visiting with Bob, I said sure.  Over the course of the next hour, a 42 mile ride, I learned much about the Gerhardt family and their desire to experience the wide open spaces of America’s southwest.   Christian felt it important for his children to learn about Americans and the geography of our Country.  They love the people of America and the landscape is phenomenal.  Thank you Christian, I couldn’t agree with you more.

Christian Gerhardt Family

Arriving at Hite Recreation area where we are staying overnight I exchanged contact
information with Christian we took a couple pictures and they were off to continue their exploration of America.  I was dumbfounded to discover Bridget arrived in my mini-van within minutes.  She was there to reserve a campsite for us and then head back toward Blanding to man a water break for our crew. I loaded up my S-Works and went with her.  When we got back to where the Gerhardt family picked me up, I had Bridget drop me and
my trusty stead Spirit off.  I would ride the 42 miles to camp.  If you haven’t figured it out, I skipped the section Bob gave  me a ride in as it had a pretty steep and very long uphill. Hey, I’m no fool.  Why ride a section where the only thing I can do is keep my eyes on the pavement in front of me instead of enjoying the beauty of Utah.

Arriving once again at Hite Recreation area, which happens to sit right on the Colorado river with an awesome bluff across the river, a nice breeze blowing to keep it from
feeling like the 95+ degree heat of the day.  I milled around, ate a “Hungry Man” frozen
turkey dinner which was microwavable at the little store serving the campground.  By the way one of the worse meals I’ve ever eaten.  Finally about 6:30 PM the big van and my mini-van arrived at camp.  In my opinion it is a rare that both vehicles should travel together, they could cover twice the area by staying separate in case of an emergency situation but hey what do I know about such things.  After setting up my tent, I decided to sponge bathe at a large fish cleaning table which had two water spray hoses.  I quickly discovered the water was actually warm and looking around didn’t see anyone.  Well why take a sponge bath when I could take a full shower.  I took off my spandex, soaped up completely and ready to hose off when a gal comes out an RV with a stack of dirty dishes
to wash.  I hastily ducked down behind the table and let the gal know I was in a rather compromising condition.  She looked at me fully naked and said, “Ah nice, I’ll go get my camera and video you for U-tube”.  I don’t think so and quickly grabbed my spandex and put it back on.  Turns out the gal is from Holland, she her husband Hans and 6 children are on a 3 ½ week vacation here in America.  For the third time today I enter into a rewarding conversation with folks.  Over the course of the next hour or so, I meet the entire family, learned her first husband died of MS recently,talked about the wide open expanse of America.  Here is the best part, the entire family would love to live in America.  Why?  The people in America are so friendly, helpful, kind and generous.  In Holland
there are 70 million folks squeezed into an area about the size of Utah.  In Holland you folks are not nearly as friendly and open to visiting with strangers.   It made me proud to be an American.

Family from Holland

Today, though I didn’t ride all 80 miles on my bike I was rewarded with one of the best days of my journey across America meeting and making new friends, equal to seeing
the beauty of our Country.  Friends be proud of our Country and especially of yourself!

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