Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Day 32
Gillette, WY to Sundance, WY

Miles: 61.56
Elevation: 2,034
Time: 5 hours 31 minutes

Total miles: 1,232.54 (1,663.54 w/ Uhaul)
Total Elevation: 57,175
Total Time: 124 hours 32 minute

The circle of Life

The sun came up this morning without any doing on my part as it had years before me and will years after me. I’m just passing through.

Out the door early knowing we will be traveling along the highway exposed to the winds with little to no shade or protection, we stop at the corner gas station for coffee. The locals are up and at it, driving to work. As we travel down Highway 90, it feels like we’re seeing the heart of America-oil rigs, industrial plants, industry. It reminds me how disconnected we can be from the source. Need tires? Just drive to the tire shop and a few hours later, off you go with a new set. But what are they made of? Who put them together? How did they get to the shop? How does any of this happen?? With tires, our fuel, our food, our everything??
Long stretches of unchanged scenery allows the mind to wander.
Along the north side of I-90, the hills were covered in Emerald green grass, the kind that makes you yearn to touch it, like the plush velvet fabric or soft fur behind a dog’s ear.
Ahead was a long road gently winding left to right, up and down. And winds. Tucking behind Drew, the silent march onward continued. Communicating with each other is difficult as the words fly away in wind, never to be heard by the other. Deep thoughts continue.
I think back to yesterday afternoon where a young boy, maybe 7, was celebrating his birthday. His smile made you wonder if that moment was his happiest moment ever. The whole restaurant sang Happy Birthday to him. And this morning, while drinking coffee, I watched a dutiful daughter care for elderly father with amazing love and kindness as if both knew, time was short. As we traveled down the highway, we saw dead deer on the side of the road. And just beyond, a mama and baby. While there is death, there is also life…a beautiful renewal of hope.
Miles later, a mama bird flew alongside us for a good minute, perfectly pacing us, dead center in the lane adjacent. She was distracting us from her nest and babies. So much to see from the seat of the bike!
Today, we get second coffee with Moorland at the halfway point. The rest of the ride was uneventful with continuous warm winds.
Once in Sundance, we got a quick bite to eat and stopped at the grocery store for more fluids for tomorrow. The town is small with most everything on a Main Street. Tomorrow should be an interesting day. While not long in distance, we do have some climbing so rest is essential.

#RoadrunnerTour2025

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