Thursday. May 12 - Quick Post

I woke at 4:30 AM and was happy we had not been rousted out of the hotel parking lot.  However, it was the temperature that woke me.  According to Weather.com, it was 33 degrees (feels like 27)! I was very tired and COLD so I tried to adjust the blanket and sleep.  I woke again at 6:00 AM when it felt even colder. I decided to go into Ruby’s Convention Center lobby to warm-up.  It was nice to have a close and warm bathroom when sleeping in a car!  As I had no internet access, I read some work material to pass time.

I returned to the car at 7:00 AM, warmed it up and moved it so Jordan could sleep better in the direct sunlight.  I decided to go back into Ruby’ and stay warm in the lobby.  It was 8:15 AM when I checked on Jordan.  He was still sleeping so I went for a walk.  Bryce Canyon is a very nice SMALL town!

It was 9:00 AM when he texted me.  He was awake and wanted to head out.  I went to the car and started prepare for the day while he grabbed his morning coffee.  The day was unknown or planned except we knew we were going from Bryce Canyon to Boulder, Utah (about 75miles).  We had no idea of what to expect for the elevation.

The first 15 miles were easy.  Then the rolling hills.  First 8 percent climbs of 1.5- 2 miles.  They kept getting worse with climbs of up to 14 percent and lasting as much as 5 miles.  They were just hard and the sun was beating down and close to 90 degrees.  The road was conducive for the bicycle ride, just killer hills.  I estimate today he had 10,000 feet of climb.  Be nice to check the Garmin when we get home.

This is the sign for those going down what Jordan just came up!

Jordan made Boulder, Utah by 4:30 PM.  We are at a restaurant names Burr Trail Grill.  It was a grass fed animal restaurant.  Joran had a lamb burger and I had a beef burger.  Surprised how busy it was for being in the middle of nowhere. 

Jordan was feeling good and wanted to continue.  I however wanted to go to a hotel and get a good night sleep after two days in the drivers seat of the car.  At about 6:30 PM he was going down a hill  (at 30 MPH) and missed hitting a deer by a few feet.  The pick-up who was near Jordan was not so lucky.  I was very stressed at the risky position he was in riding at dusk and so many deer!  I was tired, wanted good swim in a cold pool and a shower.  He wanted to keep going.  We had an argument that can rival any argument two humans could create.  It was like I was a Jewish leader and he was Hitler or vice versa.  Long story short, he went another 30 miles (of more).  I believe it was over 110 for the day.  He rode Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Canyonlands National Park.

After the argument, he got on the bike and rode until 8:00 PM.  We drove to Green River where I made a reservation for the night.  There were few options to eat dinner such as Burger King, Arby’s, and other chains or the local truck stop.  We chose the local truck stop.  We had breakfast!  I had two eggs, hash browns and toast and Jordan a Western Omelet.  We were both exhausted.  We barley made it back to the hotel, showered and were sleeping by 11:30 PM.