Day 26 - Saturday 28th May 2011

Sweetwater Station Junction to Rawlins     88 miles    DFP 1480

Looked in the mirror at the rest area and realised I must have lost at least a stone!!!  On the plus side my chronic lower back pain is gone. Did the 19 miles to Jeffrey City where I had breakfast in the Split Rock Cafe/Bar run by Vikky.  Chris, who had also reached Sweetwater Station Junction and camped at a Mormon centre, was just leaving.  Had the usual scrambled eggs, hashbrowns, sausage, toast etc but still feeling a little peckish and remembering my mirror image, I asked about the 'mid stack' of pancakes.  They're described as HUGE. Vikky gave me a knowing smile and told me nobody had managed to finish a 'mid stack'.  Well they have now!!!!!    This bar/cafe can truely be described as the centre of this little community.  A former uranium mining town of 5000, there's now just over 150, including the surrounding ranches.  It's where locals come for news; to eat; the US Mail service drops here; they run a web newspage and operate a local weather forecast system.  Sadly, other than myself and Chris, only two other motorists stopped and they only bought 1 dollar coffees to take away. 

Back on the road and crossed the Continental Divide again, although this time it's hardly noticeable.

Had a 3pm lunch at the Anna Lope cafe.  The Continental Divide actually separates way to the west of here and I initially had difficulty working out how this happens.  But now having seen it, it's like being in a large pudding plate with hills all round.  Crossed the Divide again shortly after but didn't stop for a photo as it was now pouring and I was soaked.  Got to Rawlins and had to use a motel.  The first so far.  The 'Jade Lodge' motel was not ideal but any port in a storm.  Still it gave me a bath. 

Updated: Cheyenne, Wyoming (library)