And then the backboard shattered...

As I'm sure you've realized by now we usually stay at a lot of churches, YMCA's, schools, etc...Well in Lander we got a real special treat, we got to split up and stay in peoples homes! Yes I said it, real houses! This meant showers, dinner tables, and most importantly, beds!!!! Before I get into that though, let me tell you how amazing the town of Lander, Wyoming is.

We got into town around 11:30, here's a picture from the ride. We finally started seeing some mountains.



Once we got into town of course we were starving so Greg, Marie and I went to a local Pizza bar. We sat down and ordered two pizzas and root beer floats. To our surprise when we went to pay the bill, one of the regulars who had been sitting near us already paid it! This was just the first of many signs that the people of Lander are so generous and caring. I mean they let 30 smelly dirty bikers into their homes!

After dinner at the park, our hosts took us to an amazing natural Lander wonder, Sinks Canyon. Sinks Canyon is so named because the Middle Fork of the Popo Agie river flows out of the Wind River Mountains and through the Canyon. Halfway down the canyon the river abruptly turns into a large limestone cavern, and the crashing water "sinks" into fissures and cracks at the back of the cave. The river is underground for 1/4 mile until it emerges down canyon and then continues its course into the valley below. Where the water goes while it is underground is unknown.






Not only was this Canyon amazing but just the drive during dusk was enough to make me want to pack up and move to Lander. The mountains were gorgeous and just minutes away was a natural water slide and tons of hiking paths. Blocking the rode during our ride were two huge big horned sheep, the first I've ever seen outside the zoo!



I was exhausted after the day in Landon and was super excited to get back to my host site where I was staying with Bronwyn, Terra, Eric, Lauren and Katie. On the way home one driver stopped at Safeway and told Terra's car to buy anything they wanted and he would pay for it. He said he understood what living on the rode was like and knew we must be desiring certain foods! He pretty much hit the nail on the head there. They came back with lots of goodies.

Before they came home however Katie and I walked into our host site where we didn't exactly have hosts. The family was away for the weekend but the 18 year old son was home. Well he had some friends over and they accidentally smashed the backboard to the basketball hoop that just happens to be in their living room. Oops. It made for an eventful night to say the least but in the end I slept in a bed!!!!!