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08-21-02, 10:51 PM
Last night was a rare night without rain but we certainly didn't complain. After a nice oatmeal breakfast, we finished up the rest of the short gravel stretch that we started last night, about 13 miles. The ups and downs were tough, especially at the beginning of the day. Rhonda, who I met in the laundromat in Watson Lake stopped to say hi. We talked for a few short minutes and then she wished me well and moved on South. After a few more miles on paved road, we were in Dease Lake for a hot meal around noon. We went to the grocery store after our meal and I got a few things, some stewed tomatoes and parmesan cheese for tonight's meal, some more granola bars and bread. As we stood in line to check out, Thomas pointed towards the window. It was pouring rain. We decided to kill some time at the Dease Lake library checking email and waiting out the rain. A couple hours later, we were on the road again. We chatted about our email sessions and the info we'd received from friends and family. From Dease Lake it was a long steady incline up to Gnat Pass Summit (4,072 ft) with a couple pretty steep inclines of about 6% grade. Eventually we made it to the top, well, when I made it, Thomas was sitting down waiting for me, as usual. At that point, Thomas suggested camping soon because of the heavy looking rain clouds in the distant mountains. I thought it was too early still and was sure we could pass through the rain. At the top of the pass it was rainy but I enjoyed the scenery of Lower Gnat Lake and the surrounding peaks. Sucks were swimming through the water and we could see beaver mounds on the streams connecting to the lake. From here it was a nice and easy ride downhill. To the east there was evidence of where they made preparations to build a railroad but stopped. For much of the last part of the ride, we hardly had to pedal. Long dark trees dotted the green grass valley as the sun crept through from behind the clouds. The sound of running water from small creeks could be heard as we cruised downhill. Further down, the forest started to thicken and grew closer to the road. We talked about quitting for the night and saving some of this easy riding for a good warm up in the morning. We found a spot on the side of the road and set up. I cooked the pasta with tomatoes and threw in a bunch of parmesan. By the end of the meal I was completely stuffed but man was it good. I crawled into my tent and prepared my bedding for the night. I wrote in my journal about the day and then went to sleep. (51 miles)
Peace
Dave
Peace
Dave