July 12th. Day 43. Today was spent traveling to Buffalo, Wyoming. My ride group consisted of Zach, Sean, and Kim. It was rough for me until lunch because I only had one water bottle cage. I had two before the trip started and then my one broke so I decided to continue to just use my camel back. However, my camel back started leaking and I can't figure out why so that was out of the picture. This then led to only having one water bottle and that was clearly not enough for me. I was very dehydrated and not feeling well. I finally made it to the lunch stop and literally chugged two water bottles. The day continued on and we stopped and pet some wild mustangs along a fence. They came right up to us and we pet them and fed them grass. One horse even tried biting at Zach's handle bar tape. It was pretty funny. We rolled into Buffalo and decided to stop at the visitor's center. We were so happy that we stopped there because they had a ton of stickers for us to put on our bikes. My bike is full of stickers from all over. I love it! To end the evening the team got Chinese donated at a local restaurant.n I got my favorite dish and that is orange chicken. It had a little spicy kick to it however. Not the best on sunburned lips! haha We stayed the night in a wrestling room at the high school.
July 13th. Day 44. Today was spent riding to Worland, WY. It was the first day of climbing the Rocky Mountains. Since the mountains were so steep we went with a riding partner. My partner was Patrick. I had a great time riding with him. He literally talked to me the whole way up the mountain. He got my mind off what I was doing. We even stopped at a few scenic views and they were incredible. Once Patrick and I reached the top it was immediately cold. We had climbed and reached 9,666 feet. This mountain was called Big Horn for a reason! I was proud of myself for doing it!
Today was dedicated to family members of Sandra Stagemeyer. They were Connie Andrews, Minnie Long, and Mary Andrews. They were all related to the cancer society. I also dedicated my day to my Dad because he is such an inspiration to me and pushes me to be the best I can be. I couldn't ask for a better role model and friend. I know he was super jealous that I was climbing the mountains so I brought him with me to the top in spirit. Love you Dad.
July 14th. Day 45. Today was spent biking to Riverton, WY. We continued to climb the Big Horn Mountains. It was incredibly windy that day. We started off the morning in mountains and then we exited out of them through tunnels, which was very cool and then we entered into what I swear was a desert. It was so hot and dry. Later on that afternoon we found a creek and it was too pretty to not stop and stick our feet in the water. It was so hot so it felt awesome. We then entered into a very small town that ran through a little kid's water park to cool off. Yes a bunch of 20 year olds were running through sprinklers to cool off. Across the street was a local snow cone place. I got a giant peachmannia snow cone. It was so good.
Another fun fact that I learned that ride was that nobody besides people from Nebraska eats cinnamon rolls with chili. I had no idea. I thought that was a very interesting fact.
Today I dedicated my ride to Dena Wersman. I never met her, but I heard nothing but great things. Cancer unfortunalty took Dena's life too soon. I did know one of her son's. Day 45 went out to their family and to Tanner.
July 15th DuBois, WY … DAY 46
Today I dedicated my ride to my old elementary principal Mr. Bob Braithwait who had to under go surgery. He is doing better now and is slowly recovering. He is such a huge supporter of both my music and my cross country bike trip.
July 16th. Day 47. Today I spent in the van going to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. I was with my teammate Rhani. The views were absolutely spectacular. We saw the Tetons for the first time. They were soo tall of mountains. We started off our morning with a local coffee shop in DuBois and then once we arrived in Jackson, we found a Starbucks. Coffee=Life on the 4K!! I also went to a local shop and bought some stickers for my bike. There was 31 different options to choose from. It was difficult. It was a little hard to maneuver because there was so many people. It is such a touristy town. Later that evening I found out that my Grandma Beth Stephens was in the hospital in Cleveland, Ohio for phenomena. I was very upset when I heard this. I can't imagine life without her. I hate that I'm so far away from both my family and my grandparents. They are my inspiration. We ended up eating at a local restaurant called Liberty Burger. It was soo delicious. The talk there was how awesome it is to ski there. I am thinking I might have to make a trip back there and go skiing.
Day 47 was dedicated to Mrs. Monie's parents who both fought cancer and unfortunately lost their battles. She was gracious enough to give me money towards my fundraising for the 4K.
July 17th. Day 48 was spent biking from Jackson Hole, Wyoming to Ashton, Idaho. Yah to the first time being in Idaho!! We biked a pretty intense climb today. It was 12 miles of a 10% grade. It was known as the Teton Pass. The view at the top was so amazing to see. It was by far the greatest accomplishment I have ever done. After I got to the top of the mountain I decided to go on a post hike. It was there where I wrote this little motivational message. This was what was on my mind after that long climb.
- I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH HIM WHO GIVES ME STRENGTH.
July 18th. Day 49 was spent biking from Ashton, Wyoming to West Yellowstone. One of my teammates celebrated a birthday that day. I was lucky enough to get to ride with her that day. We had a blast celebrating with her. On the end of our ride we even got hailed on. It all happened so fast that I couldn't believe it. Later that evening we ended up going to Yellowstone National Park to go and look at Old Faithful. I am still mind blown on how beautiful that park is. We saw a buffalo, many pronghorns, and even a moose. I think everyone enjoyed the park. We of course got some souvenirs and enjoyed the shops there. If only we had more time to explore there.
July 19th. Day 50!! 20 days remain on our 70-mile cross-country bike ride. Hard to believe that I have literally biked from Maryland to Montana. It’s also hard for me to phantom how much stronger my legs have gotten. We started in West Yellowstone this morning and ended up in Ennis, Montana. It was a 75-ish mile ride. Most of it was down hill, which was awesome! I am thinking that Montana might be my favorite state thus far. It is absolutely breath taking. We started off the morning with a temp of 37 degrees. The one downside of Montana. We bundled up and went to a local coffee shop for a warm cup of coffee. I also went to the local convenience store and bout a pair of gloves to help warm up my hands. For about the first 40 miles we rode next to a lake. This lake went out so far and behind it were giant mountains. I couldn’t help but look at the perfectly clear water. I enjoyed riding with my ride group today. I felt like we were cruising pretty fast the whole day. Can’t believe that I’m in the beautiful state of Montana. Mind blown!
Day 50 was dedicated to my Grandma Beth and also my Great Grandpa Stephens.
July 21st. Day 52. REST DAY!!! Started the morning off great with a little adventure going white water rafting. I had a blast!! Our tour guide was such a cool guy too. He is from Hawaii and is going to school for culinary. He likes to be a rafting guide in the summer and then goes to school and surfs in the fall. He had a really cool story and we enjoyed talking to him. This afternoon turned out to be a rainy one and I enjoyed walking around Bozeman with some of my teammates shopping and drinking cappuccinos. I really needed this rest day more than ever. I think everyone on the team did. I can't wait to see my family soon.
Less than 20 days until Portland.
Wahooo!
-Peace out from Bozeman, Montana.
~Halle Stephens
July 13th. Day 44. Today was spent riding to Worland, WY. It was the first day of climbing the Rocky Mountains. Since the mountains were so steep we went with a riding partner. My partner was Patrick. I had a great time riding with him. He literally talked to me the whole way up the mountain. He got my mind off what I was doing. We even stopped at a few scenic views and they were incredible. Once Patrick and I reached the top it was immediately cold. We had climbed and reached 9,666 feet. This mountain was called Big Horn for a reason! I was proud of myself for doing it!
Today was dedicated to family members of Sandra Stagemeyer. They were Connie Andrews, Minnie Long, and Mary Andrews. They were all related to the cancer society. I also dedicated my day to my Dad because he is such an inspiration to me and pushes me to be the best I can be. I couldn't ask for a better role model and friend. I know he was super jealous that I was climbing the mountains so I brought him with me to the top in spirit. Love you Dad.
July 14th. Day 45. Today was spent biking to Riverton, WY. We continued to climb the Big Horn Mountains. It was incredibly windy that day. We started off the morning in mountains and then we exited out of them through tunnels, which was very cool and then we entered into what I swear was a desert. It was so hot and dry. Later on that afternoon we found a creek and it was too pretty to not stop and stick our feet in the water. It was so hot so it felt awesome. We then entered into a very small town that ran through a little kid's water park to cool off. Yes a bunch of 20 year olds were running through sprinklers to cool off. Across the street was a local snow cone place. I got a giant peachmannia snow cone. It was so good.
Another fun fact that I learned that ride was that nobody besides people from Nebraska eats cinnamon rolls with chili. I had no idea. I thought that was a very interesting fact.
Today I dedicated my ride to Dena Wersman. I never met her, but I heard nothing but great things. Cancer unfortunalty took Dena's life too soon. I did know one of her son's. Day 45 went out to their family and to Tanner.
July 15th DuBois, WY … DAY 46
Today I dedicated my ride to my old elementary principal Mr. Bob Braithwait who had to under go surgery. He is doing better now and is slowly recovering. He is such a huge supporter of both my music and my cross country bike trip.
July 16th. Day 47. Today I spent in the van going to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. I was with my teammate Rhani. The views were absolutely spectacular. We saw the Tetons for the first time. They were soo tall of mountains. We started off our morning with a local coffee shop in DuBois and then once we arrived in Jackson, we found a Starbucks. Coffee=Life on the 4K!! I also went to a local shop and bought some stickers for my bike. There was 31 different options to choose from. It was difficult. It was a little hard to maneuver because there was so many people. It is such a touristy town. Later that evening I found out that my Grandma Beth Stephens was in the hospital in Cleveland, Ohio for phenomena. I was very upset when I heard this. I can't imagine life without her. I hate that I'm so far away from both my family and my grandparents. They are my inspiration. We ended up eating at a local restaurant called Liberty Burger. It was soo delicious. The talk there was how awesome it is to ski there. I am thinking I might have to make a trip back there and go skiing.
Day 47 was dedicated to Mrs. Monie's parents who both fought cancer and unfortunately lost their battles. She was gracious enough to give me money towards my fundraising for the 4K.
July 17th. Day 48 was spent biking from Jackson Hole, Wyoming to Ashton, Idaho. Yah to the first time being in Idaho!! We biked a pretty intense climb today. It was 12 miles of a 10% grade. It was known as the Teton Pass. The view at the top was so amazing to see. It was by far the greatest accomplishment I have ever done. After I got to the top of the mountain I decided to go on a post hike. It was there where I wrote this little motivational message. This was what was on my mind after that long climb.
- I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH HIM WHO GIVES ME STRENGTH.
July 18th. Day 49 was spent biking from Ashton, Wyoming to West Yellowstone. One of my teammates celebrated a birthday that day. I was lucky enough to get to ride with her that day. We had a blast celebrating with her. On the end of our ride we even got hailed on. It all happened so fast that I couldn't believe it. Later that evening we ended up going to Yellowstone National Park to go and look at Old Faithful. I am still mind blown on how beautiful that park is. We saw a buffalo, many pronghorns, and even a moose. I think everyone enjoyed the park. We of course got some souvenirs and enjoyed the shops there. If only we had more time to explore there.
July 19th. Day 50!! 20 days remain on our 70-mile cross-country bike ride. Hard to believe that I have literally biked from Maryland to Montana. It’s also hard for me to phantom how much stronger my legs have gotten. We started in West Yellowstone this morning and ended up in Ennis, Montana. It was a 75-ish mile ride. Most of it was down hill, which was awesome! I am thinking that Montana might be my favorite state thus far. It is absolutely breath taking. We started off the morning with a temp of 37 degrees. The one downside of Montana. We bundled up and went to a local coffee shop for a warm cup of coffee. I also went to the local convenience store and bout a pair of gloves to help warm up my hands. For about the first 40 miles we rode next to a lake. This lake went out so far and behind it were giant mountains. I couldn’t help but look at the perfectly clear water. I enjoyed riding with my ride group today. I felt like we were cruising pretty fast the whole day. Can’t believe that I’m in the beautiful state of Montana. Mind blown!
Day 50 was dedicated to my Grandma Beth and also my Great Grandpa Stephens.
July 21st. Day 52. REST DAY!!! Started the morning off great with a little adventure going white water rafting. I had a blast!! Our tour guide was such a cool guy too. He is from Hawaii and is going to school for culinary. He likes to be a rafting guide in the summer and then goes to school and surfs in the fall. He had a really cool story and we enjoyed talking to him. This afternoon turned out to be a rainy one and I enjoyed walking around Bozeman with some of my teammates shopping and drinking cappuccinos. I really needed this rest day more than ever. I think everyone on the team did. I can't wait to see my family soon.
Less than 20 days until Portland.
Wahooo!
-Peace out from Bozeman, Montana.
~Halle Stephens