Coast2Coast Day 25: Manderson to Meadowlark Lake Lodge, WY; biggest climb day and encountering and re-encountering travelers

The RV park that we stayed in this night, is owned by a couple, and he had a heart attack, so it is currently ‘unmonitored.’  We knocked on every door and inquired of the owner of the adjacent cafe/bar trying to find someone to get permission to stay.  Eventually, we met someone staying in a cabin on the property who works with the matron.  We contacted the owner and settled up for the night.

While ‘dining,’ we were deluged by cottonwood seeds in a heavy breeze.  We did need to pick the seeds out as we took our food to our mouths!

This morning’s departure involved crossing the railroad tracks while the crew were testing the signals, and crossed while the guard were down (smiles).  The train did come through at 2:09A, just a minute off my prediction.

We are feeling much gratitude on our fortunate timing during this journey.  For example, today as Melissa and I entered Ten Sleep (see pic for where the town’s name derived), Cathy had just parked near the town’s library and a quaint park with a bench for us to enjoy lunch together!  Bob and Chris, who are riding the same direction, and had passed our campsite earlier this morning, ringing their bike bells, were also lunching in Ten Sleep.  Chris came by our picnic, and Cathy and Melissa offered him a couple of oatmeal cream pies for the two of them.  We will hopefully come across them again, as they are riding RAGBRAI, as well.

Riding today out of Manderson, the scenery was close to that of when leaving Cody.  We again saw pronghorns along the way.  With miles behind us, the road started to undulate, and we were riding along the Norwood River.  The combination of arable land and irrigation along the River is impressive to see.  We have wondered, as it seems they are cutting and bailing their hay while still very green.

After Ten Sleep, the climb to the Powder River Pass begins.  There are signs along the way that note the age of the rocks layers, that make me feel young!  The traffic along the road was good, although the semis did whine on the climb.  We have not yet completed the climb, but reaching the Meadowlark Lake Lodge has been one of our biggest climb days.  We are hoping to have a moose sighting, and a clear night for star peeping!

Greeting us at the Meadowlark Lake Lodge was Riley, who is excited to be a senior this coming academic year in Casper.  Hollie provided Melissa and me with a couple of deserved (after the climb) margs.  Pam and Ken (locals to the Bighorns) provided some suggestions for seeing moose.  Brian shared some experiences with staging for television production.  And a couple, also riding in on bikes (the motorized kind), shared how the Lodge had changed over twenty-five years.  [We did not yet have a moose sighting, after dining on our porch and scanning the Lake shore, but there is tomorrow morning!]

Tomorrow is Melissa’s last day of riding with us on this journey.  We are all looking to celebrate along with her friends Meghan and Deanna, who are coming to pick her up and return her to her husband/Darren and puppies/Moose and Reggie!