Jackson, WY to Dubois, WY

"God bless America, land that I love."----Kate Smith

This was an emotional day for me. I was completely overwhelmed by the beauty of the Tetons. I got all choked up when I first saw the snowy jagged peaks today. Stunning. Yes. Majestic. Yes. I definitely need better words. My photos don't do justice to their awesomeness. You must see them in person.

Just outside of town a white van with words hand-painted on the side windows caught my eye. I stopped to talk to the college-age man and woman inside. They are running across America to bring attention and support for youths who are affected by cancer. I met Michelle. She is keeping a blog and mentions our interaction. I was asking about their cause and what they were doing. Mike blurts out, "Les has cancer!", and the gal says "Awesome...oh, not really." She asked my name and explained that she dedicates her run each day to someone with cancer. She writes their names on her calves.Today she is running for Susan and Bumpa. Tomorrow she will dedicate her run to me. So, then I got all choked up about that. We gave each other a big hug, and I left to catch up with the other riders.

[Addendum: Check out her blog. She really did run for me with my name on her leg. How cool is that?!]

Today was a long day riding. Especially following yesterday's long day. We stopped a lot in the morning to take photos of the Tetons. I really hated leaving them behind. We climbed 8(?) miles to the Continental Divide at about 9600', followed by a great descent, then the last 10-miles into a headwind. Hard to end an 88-mile ride that way.

Today's pics:

That includes you Cecil :)

How they stop folks in Wyoming.

Even the thousand words this picture is worth

don't do Miss Teton justice.

Go in person at your earliest convenience.

One last look.

While this pic was being taken

a snowball came flying at us.

Tomorrow 79 miles to get to Riverton, Wyoming.