This afternoons ride from lander to Sweetwater junction was the toughest of the tour so far. I faced a serious headwind which didn't  emerge until I was to far out of lander to go back...besides going back isn't an option. Then came the ten mile approx climb at one in four in places against that wind. Then the shoulder got worse than normal and it seemed the gods had turned against me. I battled every foot up that dam hill and every inch hurt...I  kept at it though and even though each bend hid another endless climb against this wind and I had run out of water...it what is extremely barren country..I made it to the top half wishing I'd stayed at McDonalds in lander...then a guy in a pick up truck looking at the historical marker there gave me two bottles of water...top man! I continued to Sweetwater rest stop to camp wondering what set of life events had led him and me to be on that summit at that moment because if all those life choices we both made had been different I eod likely still be up on that hill suffering extreme dehydration ! Good things happen at the most unexpected moments on a tour like this. The pictue in this post shows the climb from the top looking back at where I had ridden. The climb itself isn't that bad compared to others I've ridden it was the killer headwind that made it so hard and lack of water even though I had four full bottles with me when I set out. This wind is  holding me back I hope it stops soon..or better turns and blows me along like a sailboat lol!

My New friend the wigwam cat and my bed on the wigwam tonight.

When I got to Sweetwater junctiion test area I met a very nice couple who were interested in my trip...they kindly took this picture of me .

Split rock wyoming

Wyoming wingd

Sleeping in a wig wam in Wyoming

Well todays surprise is sleeping in a wigwam or tipee for free! There is a very basic bike camp with three tipees so instread of battling through the rain and wind I will sleep here. There are two dogs and a over friendly cat to keep me company and the fridge is stocked with free ice creams. Alrough I am still on the middle of what I call desert the sky is heavy with thunder ..the signs were to stay here so I'm goi.g with the flow. My map tells me I am entering the great divide basin..I wonder what surprises this part of my trip will bring. This area is so vast..serif..barren..it must have been pure hell for the early settlors here..with names like lost soldier lake and Cherokee creek..I can only imagine what life was like back then. Earlier today I saw a heard of cows being rounded up by cowboys on horses...video on facebook hopefully.

Well here I am back in the cafè in lamont Wyoming ordering a cheeseburger with everything and a pasta salad...real food..gotta back the most of it while I can out here! There are six guys here I've been talking with who are drilling for oil here ..and truck drivers passing through...its a real 'greasy spoon' place with salt of the earth people...makes a change from the rip off garage stores and processed food.
My tipee has a double bed with a hot kitten in it..ha ha..the wigwam cat won't let me go..very affectionate cat. This place plays led zeppelin music..its set out like its still 1945 but I'm seeing real America..talking to oil drillers ..you say mate we say buddy..type conversation. They want to know about English women..I'm more the European type lol!..one of them didn't know where England was..omg..anyway ..I've also met Fred who is cycling home to Ohio from Astoria..he has ridden the southern tier across the states already and is riding the trsnsam route back. He also isn't a Wyoming wind fan!