Day 45: Rawlins, WY to Jeffrey City, WY (69 miles)

Biking today ended up well and the front wheel held up today. We passed through a decent amount of nothing, but we had the wind at our back except for the last few miles. Our destination was Jeffrey City, WY. We had been dreading Jeffrey City since it was the only sign of civilization from Rawlins to there, and really the only place for 60 miles in the other direction.We had heard from the blogs and from a few other folks that the restaurant there wouldn't serve food or give water to cyclists for some reason. That only 50 people lived there. We've passed through alot of towns that folks in cars would blink through and miss.

We had heard back in Saratoga that things were a bit better and that the restaurant was under new ownership. We even heard that some folks next door were taking in cyclists. Things were looking a bit up, but as with all things, we try to remain level and not get our hopes up. Places sometimes arbitrarily close (especially in rural areas) and in a town of 50 people, if the contact person is gone, you just need to figure things out.

As such, it was a welcome surprise and a total blast staying in Jeffrey City. Vikki and everyone at the Split Rock cafe was nice and we spent most of the afternoon in the AC, watching old TV shows on TV land and rocking the jukebox. Byron and Kyle at the pottery shop next door took us in and we're good for a chat about the town and art and all types of things. We were invited to a campfire at the old historic house along the way. We drank moonshine and played guitars and carried on until midnight. For 3 random dudes in a town, we felt welcome and had a great old time.

It makes me wonder, if, you were a random guy on a bike and you showed up in, say Penn Run, PA or Albany, Wisconsin... on a random Sunday... if you could find the place alive in a way that someone who drives past it every day could. Who knows, but I do know that if I ever am passing through Wyoming again, Jeffrey City's on the list of places I'd love to go.

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