Day 4, Sunday, June5
Fallon to Austin
The wind is your friend.
A great day on the road. A strong 15-20 mile-per-hour wind was at our
back almost all day. It pushed us up hills and across miles of desolate
nothingness. There were several long steady climbs and descents. Nicole
went 85 miles, Dan and I journeyed on and made a long climb and were treated
with a 10-mile descent that ended our 100-mile day.
The wind kept us cool all day and then got down right cold. It was 60 degrees when we were flying down the final hill. The wind was now at our side, blowing hard and cold. I was frigid by the time I got off the bike for the day.
Having grown up in a northern Indiana town of 300 people, I understand making your own entertainment. We rode over 100 miles and there weren't 300 people within 10 miles of us. But the few people around have found some interesting entertainment. One of the few trees we passed is filled with hundreds of shoes. People have been tying shoes together and throwing them over branches for years. There are hundreds of shoes hanging in the tree.
We stopped at the only commercial establishment on the entire highway. The “town” is Middlegate and the establishment says it is a gas station, bar, store and hotel. It was built in the 1800's and the sign outside says population 17. There was 18, but there is an “X” through it. It looks like a bar from the 1800's, complete with hitching post and plank porch. The inside features money. Dollar bills. The ceiling is covered with bills that have names written on them. I had to ask. “Put your name on one and you will never be penniless.” Nicole, Dan and I now know we will always be worth something.
We stopped in Austin for the night. A very small town with not much going on. We had our choice of two motels, right there on the main drag. OK, it was the only drag. Dining options were limited to Toiyabe Cafˇ, the only eatery we saw.
Wildlife of the day:
A lizard crossing the road, saw us riding three across and proceeded
to kick into high gear and sprint between Nicole's wheels. It survived.
Nicole now only looks straight ahead.
Roadkill of the day: A freshly smashed snake.
Dan climbs.
Hundreds of shoes hang in tree.
Dan gets our first flat tire after leaving the only
establishment for miles.