Jetting away from the church and out of Jeffery City at 5am teaches us one of the best lessons that we learn during the trip- early starts provide a sunrise view and guarantee no headwinds for the first few hours. Our goal for the day is Lander, WY which is 60 miles away and a drop from about 6800' elevation to 5800'. We stop to rest midway at Sweetwater Station, population 10ish?, and providing bathrooms, water, and a covered rest area. We also get some great pictures of a farmhouse selling fresh eggs and books, unfortunately neither will do anything for us on the trip. Back on the road for the final 30 miles to Lander. Unless we find a hidden place along the road to camp, we only have Lander as an option for sleep plus it has the bike shop we have both needed for the past 100 miles. Lander or bust, we power through and enjoy the landscape as it changes from flat and tan to mountainous and green.
We climb one final hill and roll into Lander at around 2pm. The town is fully equipped with everything we need. We check into the Holiday Motel which provides a camping space, laundry, electric, showers, and a "spa". A local woman in the office nudges Emily and asks if we are "of age". She informs us of a bar downtown that she highly recommends we check out if we want to hang with some cowboys. Maybe our "city clothes" will finally get some use.
We set up camp, book it to the showers, and head to Main Street for some dinner and drinks. So far, Lander is providing exactly what we needed. Tomorrow morning, bike shop and back on the road.