Last in Nevada, at the Eureka Opera House, we with One Big Bike presented a series of workshops entitled "Shifting Gears." Participants heard presentations and discussed the topics of Passive Solar Heating and Cooling, Powering Your Vehicle with Vegetable Oil, and Composting with Worms. It was a memorable experience for us, because our audience at once so gracious to forgive our grimy appearance and engaged in the material we presented. We gifted a number of our red wiggler worms to a wonderful lady named Joy, who intends to start a worm bin right in her home in Eureka. Just think, those worms traveled 2k miles just to find their home with Joy. And they are the same family of worms as the ones we gave to the Living Green Store in Yellow Springs, OH and the ones at Langston Middle School, the Cat in the Cream Coffeehouse, and a number of households in Oberlin, OH. They came from the George Jones Memorial Farm--thank you, Evelyn Bryant, for getting us going with worms last fall--So many people are connected now, and composting, because of you!
We are so thankful to all of the people who have helped us along the way. Just yesterday, a man just back to town from fighting wildfires in western Nevada looked at our route with us, and reassured us that we wouldn't be affected by the fires burning right now north of Sacramento. He also pointed out the "soaks" (hot springs) along the way, which we shouldn't miss, and even invited us to his home, where he has his own hot springs, but it was too far off the route! And Mime, our hostess here in Eureka, was so kind to take so much time out of her schedule to look after our accomodations, recreation (swimming, and showers!), and especially, our appetites! She prepared a great homecooked meal for us with the help of her friends Joy and Ruby. It really is travelers' luck to feel at home on the loneliest road in America.
Highway 50 has been our guide through the vast, wild country of Nevada. Each day new beauty is revealed to us in the endless expanse of basin and range. It's just marvelous, and to think we were so worried about crossing "the desert"! The Great Basin is so much more than that, and so much more than you see on the Interstate.
Next is the "treacherous" Austin Pass, and then it's "all downhill" to Fallon, so we're told. But we've learned that it's never actually as steep or windy as the locals tell us, and that a route which is "all downhill" to a driver is usually a little more nuanced on a bicycle.
We're slated for San Fran on August 4th--come to our welcome party in Golden Gate Park!
"California here come, right back where we started from..."
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5 comments:
After following you on the map for the past 2000 miles, you bikers seem to be blazing through these last few hundred miles. What a fantastic accomplishment. We are really getting excited about seeing you come across the Golden Gate bridge. Keep us posted so we're there when you are.
-Linden's Mom and Dad
Oh no! We'll be off camping when you hit the Bridge -- ah well. Good riding and safe journey for the rest of your incredible ride! -- Roberta Henry
wow!!! you gave a lecture in an opera house! TOTALLY cool.
what kinds of wildlife have you seen in the desert?
can't wait for more people/presentation stories. :)
Happy 20th Birthday to Katie! We're so impressed by what you and your friends are doing, and have been enjoying following your adventure every step of the way. Good luck with the rest of your trip.
Love, Katie's Aunt Sue
p.s. The b'day gift we discussed is with your parents!
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