Day 27 August 10th Landers to Landers why not?

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Well, we had a change of heart and a change of plan about midday yesterday...with 2 bikes in the shop getting repairs done, wonderful accomodations to stay in, aching legs, and a hot day of riding to Jeffrey City coming up...we called our host and asked if our lodging would be available for one more night. The planets were all aligned. The answer was yes! We didn't skip a beat. Within a half of an hour after we decided to stay an extra day, we had a half baked plan for things to do in Landers tomorrow. Forget riding 59 miles in temperatures reaching 96 by noon!  Let's go for a hike up a mountain instead. You know, kind of a day of rest.

After a leisurely breakfast, we headed out to Sink Hole Canyon State Park. Really neat! The visitors center was very educational. After checking out the cave where the water from the Popo Agie River disappears underground, we walked down the road 1/4 of a mile to where the water re-emerges in a large pool called "The Rise." There we saw dozens of Rainbow and Brown Trout. They looked very big to me and on further research I read that some of them are between 12 and 15 pounds. Wow!

 After goofing off feeding the fish and ooing and ahhing over the feeding frenzy, we headed out to hike up the cliff on the north side of the canyon. Very relaxing. We popped out about a mile up above the visitor's center and then the trail wove down gradually through a beautiful wooded area. From there the trail followed the Popo Agie River to a camping area. We found a pool where the water was calm enough for us and our Pearl to cool off. Yes, the water was cold! But by this time the temperature was in the 90's.     ( glad we didn't try a 59 mile bike ride in this heat today). It was hard to leave that lovely spot, the landscape was beautiful and the water soothing,  but the day was getting on...
                                         (Here is a special photo of Stephanie giving everybody a "ride" on the wooden bridge. Stephanie is nice like that.)

Lesli picked us up at the visitors center and deposited us in different locations. Some of us chose to return to our lodging on 9 north street to eat lunch. Some chose to go downtown. Somehow we all ended up going to town later on for one thing or another. Man was it hot! Lauran showed us all the best stores. She even left a few items on the shelves for us in case we wanted to buy something. Lauran is considerate that way. Betsy and Sue Sister found the ice cream place. I think they have a special ice cream compass those two. I went to the post office. And we were all happy campers. Happy to have spent the day kind of relaxing. Happy with the change of pace. Happy to not be roasting on highway 287 between Landers and Jeffrey City. Happy to be in such a cool town. Happy to have such nice accomodations to stay in.

And to finish off our day, we simplified and ordered pizza. Then we went to the Powwow at the visitors council center in town.  It was neat to hear the beating of the drums in a distance as we approached the venue. It was an outdoor event and by 8pm it had cooled off nicely making it even more enjoyable. We were entertained by the drummers and the dancers. And the sky was just beautiful.

When we walked back to 9 North Street, we were rested and ready to prepare for our ride to Jeffrey City in the morning. We had heard so many interesting accounts of the place...it should be another cool adventure!! We're now ready! Hasta manana....





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