Lander brewing company

So, I must admit that today was my most frustrating day of biking since way back at day #2.  The reason was wind.  I got started at a normal time, and made the first 20 miles super fast, due to a southerly wind (and my northerly direction).  I reached Split Rock before noon.  Those of a similar age (or a much much older age, I suppose) will recognize it as the first Oregon Trail milestone that I have found.  (I am going to reach The Dalles then raft the Columbia SO HARD.  Who would ever take the toll road?)

So I got to Jeffrey City, and you already know all about that.  But after lunch, OH MY GOD I've never biked through wind like that.  I had turned west, and so had the wind.  If it wasn't 40 mph, then the gusts certainly were.  It's usually windy here, and a storm was passing through as well, which made it that much worse.  I mean, I was going 6 mph on the flats, and 8 down a hill where I'd usually hit 20.  8!  Worse than physically tiring, it was frustrating!  I'm trying to make the longest, most desolate stretch of my whole trip, and I'm going a third of my normal speed.  Very hard going.

So, I eventually limped in to the Sweetwater rest station, 39 miles from Lander.  I made a sandwich and filled up on water, and pondered what to do.  I could stay at the rest area, but it was only 6:00 and that's pretty lame.  I could make some campgrounds that were 30 miles away, or I could push for Lander.  The wind was calming down, and it was a lot of downhill to Lander, so I chose option 2.5 - make the campsites, then see if I wanted to do the last 9 to Lander.

If you paid attention to the post title, you can guess that the Lander brewing company is not located at the campsites 9 miles out of town.  I summoned all my gumption and made Lander at 9:15.  I can camp (and shower!) at the town park, and I'm currently enjoying the Lander brewing company (pictured: beer #2, Rockchuck Rye).  First beer was the pale ale, which I liked more.  Undecided on the third beer.  If there is a fourth beer I won't make it to the city park.