I was recently told by another GDMBR rider numerous times that I had to eat at the Thai restaurant in Rawlins because it was super delicious. He was correct as it did not disappoint and it hit the spot for a late lunch.

On the way back to the motel, the wind that I was trying to miss by getting done early came in with a vengeance and made it hard to get back to the motel. I had to wait behind another building for a couple minutes to let it calm down enough to be able to walk in it without getting sand and dirt in my eyes.

To avoid such fierce Wyoming winds, I started super early this morning while the winds were not so bad. However, it did not take long for the winds to start to blow and they stayed around most of the day.

The ride today mostly took place on paved roads with more ups than downs it seemed. The scenery changed often today and I remained in awe of the beauty surrounding me throughout the day.

I spent the day between 6,500 to 8,200 feet and was able to see some unmelted ice along the route. Between the higher altitude and an overcast day with occasional sprinkles, the riding conditions were very nice and comfortable.

After 44 miles, I finally was able to ride on some gravel. This is the point that the aspen trees were beginning to appear and Aspen Alley was a nice treat and the highlight of the day.

Once on Highway 70, I climbed up and over Battle Pass and coming down from the pass without wind would have been at high speeds. Today, I had a headwind coming down from the pass and some pedaling was still required. I look at this experience as Wyoming just reminding me who is the boss of winds.

The turn towards Ladder Ranch, my destination, is onto a road that results in a traveller crisscrossing the Wyoming and Colorado state line. Most of the time it is simple with Colorado to the south of the road and Wyoming to the north of the road.

I made it to Ladder Ranch and it is a fully functioning ranch with many ranch hands and others working on the property. The first person I find is a man putting horse shoes on a horse and he has no clue about where I need to set up. Come to find out, the man that normally does the shoeing of the horses got kicked a couple days ago and his knee is out of commission.

The second man I find is from South Africa and he is here for six months learning how American ranchers handle their steers. He is currently running the steer operation and was able to get me to the grandson of the ranch owner. Once I found Tiarnan, the 12 year old I spoke on the phone with a couple days ago, I was in business.

Tiarnan showed me my options, which included the big room or the small room at the cook house or a field to camp in down the road a little. I chose the small room so when dinner at 7 pm starts, I will already be there.

Tiarnan will be a six generation rancher as his family has been running this ranch since 1881. They have the Ladder Ranch and the Banjo Sheep Company. To be here and to see all the ranch hands and listen to the goings-on is remarkable. It was well worth coming this way today.