August 19th - Day 34 - Saratoga, WY to Rawlins, WY - 44 miles
This morning we went into downtown Saratoga to the city pool and hot sulphur springs. The springs are free of charge and open year round. They have three progressively cooler pools setup: one concrete pool built around the main source spring, one at the outflow of that pool as it flows into the river blocked off by stones, and a third cooler pool that is nearly the temperature of the river water (very cold). The water enters the hottest pool at about 110-120 degrees. We started out in the medium heat pool where we talked with some other people that were on vacation and just passing through. We then worked our way into the hot pool, any amount of motion is painful, and moving in and out is best done slowly. I eventually got in enough to dip my head underwater, once. Cynthia met a woman yesterday who has been coming to the springs every day for the past 60-some years and swears by its healing powers. I'm not so sure about healing. Feeling much like a boiled ham, I was glad to get my now ruby flesh out of the pool. "But the vasodilation is so relaxing" Blah blah blah.
Cynthia rode the whole day today. It's been really great seeing her able to do long miles without any knee pain. Of course, we have been really saddened at times that she was unable to do all of the miles with me. I was glad to assume the support driver role, allowing her to enjoy this trip from the biker's point of view.
The route today took us onto a true interstate (I-80) for the first time this whole trip. It was only 13 miles, but it's strange riding where you would normally be prohibited. Most of the roads that we ride on have been normal, country roads with speed limits averaging around 55mph. Cynthia and I were anxious about it, but she didn't have any problems until she came upon road construction that dropped the traffic down to 55miles per hour in a single lane with a concrete barrier on one side and cones on the other. It would have been insane for her to try to make it through (and would have nearly stopped traffic), so I picked her up in the car and took her to the exit past the construction.
We camped overnight in Western Hills Campground/RV Park in Rawlins. (We missed out on playing putt-putt golf there)
Quality Water Means Quality Life
1.2 billion people do not have access to clean water. Help others avoid the choice between thirst or disease.
As we passed through the Ozark Mountains, among Missouri scenic rivers, we came to a gorgeous little spot called "Two Rivers." At this convergence of the Jacks Fork and Current rivers, the silt heavy rapids of the Current meet the clear calm of the Jacks Fork river and one can actually see the divide between the two. I couldn't help but think of the divide between our access to clean water and the lack thereof in the villages of rural Ghana.
Troy and I consume on average, about 12 to 20 (20 oz) bottles of water daily. That's 12 to 20 times per day that, unlike the people in rural Ghana, Troy and I avoid illness without even realizing it. Regardless of how many miles we ride, we have no doubt that stopping anywhere along the road for water will be easy and risk-free.
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