The German said, "YOO CANNOT DO IT" (6/30/14 Day 8)

FIRST, let us give a huge, heartfelt thank you to Dennis, Sue and Sally -- we met them literally as I published the last post from the Homestead Ale Brewing Co. Dennis & Sue's daughter rode her bike from Montana to the Sequoias and related the most memorable part of her ride was when complete strangers offered their home for a hot shower and a bed to sleep in. Sue's sister, Sally, had driven past us earlier in the day (in the rain) and when she saw our bikes in front of the taphouse, she felt the urge to introduce herself. Long story short, we met some of the most genuine, friendly and gracious people in those three. They opened their loving home to us for hot showers, laundry, bed for the night, and warm evening company on the deck to watch the grazing deer. Sally mixed up some epsom salts and essential oils for me to enjoy a scrub and soak in their huge tub, then loaned me her roller to work out my IT band. Dennis cooked up a delicious breakfast and we enjoyed the craftsmanship and artwork the talented duo of Sue & Dennis had lovingly incorporated into their home and gardens.

NOW FOR THE GERMAN. We spent two hours of climbing on our approach to Whitefish Pass when a jeep heading downhill stopped -- a nice German man wanted to let us know that there was no way we could get through "zee road ees blockade" and he showed us the pictures he had taken of fallen trees. He was very adamant that we couldn't do it. He just didn't realize who he was talking to -- not that I'm big into horoscopes, but Lorne and I are both Taurus and literally stubborn as bulls! The gauntlet was on the ground. It's ON now! We thanked him and proceeded our climb. Sure enough, there were several sections of the road blocked by downed trees. We took turns helping each other navigate the obstacles and laughing at the ease of our success. We just didn't know that the true challenge lie ahead.

AVALANCHE: now I'm not using the term lightly. The previous trees and rocks we had to negotiate were a spit in the bucket of the true avalanche that was smack dab at the crest of the Pass. According to our odometers we were a mere 3-tenths of a mile from the actual crest where we planned our victory pose for the photos. We just hadn't planned on it taking so long to get there. Trees with 2-ft diameter trunks were snapped off like matchsticks. Boulders and scree littered the 50 ft high mounds of snow. BUT we figured if the 130+ racers that came through two weeks ago could do it, then by golly so can we! It took two solid hours of huffing and puffing, pushing, sliding, two steps forward-one step back, to travel the half-mile across the avalanche debris but WE WERE VICTORIOUS! The pictures and video really tell the story. (I have to add that once again, we were in grizzly territory -- motivation to keep moving!)

Ford Work Center camp for the night

So yeah, the German would have been right; BUT thanks to our gracious host/hostesses, we were able to reset and reboot with fresh frame of mind and outlook for the ride ahead.