new phone number 425-591-2581

its one of those US pre paid ones. I'm only using it for the rest of the time i'm in the US. I probably won't be calling you unless I've got your number memorized b/c all the ones in my old phone have vanished.

UPDATE
- I am here in Denver, CO. YIPEEE
1)Yesterday rode 50-odd miles from Zion to St. George. 110 degrees, which wasn't even all that hot, compared to some of my previous days. Stayed at a hotel (only $40, couldn't be bothered to sort out camping). Plus clean at last! Showers! Nice cold showers!!! Was going to get a good night sleep before my long drive today, instead stayed up until 2:30 watching some sort of Deadliest Catch marathon. I think I was memorized by all that cold water. So much of it! So cold!
2) No cyclist ever needs to cycle the I-70. SO HAPPY TO BE IN CAR. That stretch of the road was the best argument I've ever seen for cars. Or teleporation. just Ugh.
3) Looking forward to cycling in the mountains. I think its going to feel like going home. Not alien, like the desert felt.

The first day of the desert (badlands whatever you want to call it) when I was driving out of San Diego, I stopped around noon and just stood outside my rental car. I was surrounded on all sides by endless sand dunes. The realizatoin hit me that *I* was probably the largest body of water for a significant distance. Right on the heels of this realization was a thought that every entity - living or not- in that desert was out to steal my water from me. Redistribute the wealth. The air felt like it was leaching water from my skin. I could picture all these desert creatures (tiny and large) suddenly sensing that I was there - this source of water, and slowly creeping up, surrounding me - it made the desert seem really hostile. So no, I didn't really like the desert. I had a few really nice moments, usually early early in the morning, just as the sun was peaking up over the horizon, with my cycling shadow self stretching miles across barren red lands. A sense of peace. But only very rarely. Usually you felt like you were racing the sun from the moment you turned the days' first pedal. And you were going to lose.

I asked Josh if he was going to do another bike tour. He said: Not in the desert.

I used to think I'd really enjoy living on Dune. Let me tell you: NOT ANYMORE!!!!!

Tomorrow: The third leg of TdeS begins!