Today was a prelude to my hardest day, tomorrow.  It was a 70 mile ride, but with a headwind predicted.  Otherwise, the weather was good, pretty cool and partly sunny. The hard part was that the 70 miles had absolutely no services, at least that I knew about.

I got an early start (a little after 7:00), and luckily, the headwind never materialized, at least until I reached my destination, Arco.

This was the most barren landscape yet.  20 miles from Idaho Falls was the last farm.  After that it was all sagebrush.  In the distance, I could see the Arco Mountains.  It was interesting, knowing that I was headed there and could see it all day.

Much of the ride was across the Idaho National Laboratory.  This is where they tested conventional bombs and shells, then later developed nuclear reactors.  It’s still very active, with thousands of employees, though you’d never guess from the deserted highway.  The lab is hundreds of square miles, and because of limited use, is the best preserved sagebrush ecosystem in the world. There are a half dozen key plants, and they provide interesting contrast of colors.

It turned out there was  rest stop about half way, so at least water was available.  That’s where I took this picture of instrument read-out documenting the lack of wind.

Arco has a tradition of high school classes painting their graduation year on the cliffs above town.  It started in 1920.  I wonder what they’ll do starting in 2020?

My motel room is the smallest and cheapest) of the trip. Still, everything needed was squeezed in.

I ran into Ken again.  He was staying at the same motel, and we went to dinner.  We had a long conversation that only 2 people who have cycled cross country could have.  He has a lot more experience, having done this many times, and provided lots of great suggestions about the route in the next couple of weeks.

There were 3 crosses on the highway, where 3 members of the same family were killed.  What an unimaginable tragedy.

A noise park.  Who knew?

To try to avoid another predicted headwind, I plan to leave very early tomorrow.  I hope the wind holds off until noon, like it did today.  Wish me luck.