Where did I leave off?

I really don't know when or where I last posted something. We were out of cell phone reception for a while near the Nevada/Utah border so I let things slide.

Mike and I are now at the SLC Amtrak station waitibg for the 11:30 PM train departure. Bob opted for the flight home.

We managed to complete the trip with no injuries or frostbite. It was pretty cold at time though. I think my nose and lips are looking forward to a few days recovery out of the cold and wind. I may still spend a day in the sauna when I get back home although it doesn't seem as urgent as it did about a week ago. I'd have to say that while the cold wasn't really nasty, I did find myself at times thinking a lot more about how to feel warm than how to appreciate the scenery.

I'm glad I got an opportunity to ride Highway 50. When I drove it a few years ago with Stan I looked at it through a biker's eyes and imagined it would be a challenge of note to ride, with the long distances between services. And that it would be an enjoyable route to ride with good road surfaces, few vehicles, and great scenery. I think it was both of those in reality, although with cold rather than heat perhaps the challenge wasn't as great as I had imagined. Maybe I'll have to do the ride again in summer. After figuring out how to carry 10-15 pounds less of bike and stuff.
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26.6 degrees

It's time to go biking again and Mike's thermometer (I first spelled that termometer, which feels rather apt) says it is 26.6 degrees out. 26.6 degrees. I don't know what else to say.
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And we have a winner

When we were in Fallon, Mike was going over to the Nugget to play some slots. Both Bob and I gave him a couple quarters to play on our behalf. But the machines only took bills so Mike has been carrying the quarters for a couple of days, keeping Bob's and mine seperate. Tonight at dinner, there are slot machines that take quarters, so Mike gave the back. My first quarter was lost, but the second one hit triple sevens for a $12.50 payoff. I've told the guys that laundry is on me for the rest of the trip. We are living large now.
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Free range cows

There are fences along the road, but apparently here the cows get to decide which side of the fence they want to stand on. I don't know if it's a seniority thing, first come first serve, or some sort of cow union rules. About half stand on the road side of the fence and half stand on the field side.

Whichever side they are on, they don't seem to trust the intentions of me on my bike. No matter how friendly my greeting, they give me the stink eye, then either start to back away or run away. When they find they can't outrun me (yet, but I feel like I'm gettting slower), they turn, face me, give me the double stink eye, and dare me to invade their personal space at my own risk.

What I'm wondering is, if I became a vegetarian would they give me a more friendly greeting? Would they cheer or give some sort of cow clap? Do they only behave this way because they know how much I like a good cheeseburger?
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The sign in tonight's motel bathroom says

These towels are clean, but stained. Please use them if you have been digging, out drilling, or other activities that would stain towels.

I'm trying to decide if sweating like a pig for six and a half hours while the wind is blowing in your face qualifies under 'other activities'

The sign they really need is 'Your shower temperature may occasionally drop 70 degrees in 0.7 seconds. Please remain alert'

But the heater works, they have rags available for cleaning my bike chain, and the rate is $36 including tax, so I'm not really complaining. Plus, it's the only motel in town with vacancies and the next town is 80 miles away. So I'm really not complaining.
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Sitting in the bar in Middlegate

Two signs on the door on the way in.

One says 'Thanks for not smoking' and half the people in the bar are smoking.

The other says 'All dogs must be kept on a leash' and there are 3 dogs running around. The bartender is holding another in her arm so that probably meets the spirit if not the letter of the law.

Actually, there is a third sign. Men: No shirt, No service. Women: No shirt, Free drink. But there are no violations to report on that sign.

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The wind has decided to be our friend

When we first got into Nevada on Saturday I was ready to name it the state of 360 degree winds. The first half day on the way to Carson City it blew from every direction. Sometimes it seemed like even at the same time. I was riding into Genoa and there were flags at the antique store blowing left to right. I did a circle in the road to see where Bob and Mike were and by the time I completed the circle the flags on the ground were blowing right to left. The flag on the roof was still blowing left to right. If I was quicker I would have gotten a picture to prove it.

Maybe it's just a local effect next to the mountains because it has turned into pretty much a tailwind whenever it is blowing. Which is nice because not only is that helpful for biking, it's helpful for keeping warm. Which I value.
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