Around 11:30 at night I was awakened by a loud clap of thunder- about 30 min later it started raining. Rain is pretty loud in a tent so I read for 45 min and then went back to sleep.
It was a cool 34 degrees when we got up and boy was the hot chocolate good! We start off each day with hot chocolate (mine with two Italian roast Starbuck Vias, and Johnny adds a decaf Italian roast via to his). After the hot coffee drink we break camp and then have our breakfast gruel before hitting the road.
We passed two Brits again, Derrick and Ian, that we have seen almost daily for the last 10 days or so. They are very nice and we enjoy meeting and discussing our relevant experiences. We have passed a few Great Divide cyclists riding north and it is fun to share with them our recommendations for accommodations, etc., and to hear theirs as well.
Our climb was on a paved road and topped out at 7,900′. The descent was a 10-12 miles long and no braking except when we were slowed by cars. The best descent so far! We dodged rain showers all the way down and then had a 20 mile roly poly ride- to the Bannock State Park. The state park includes a real 1860’s ghost town that was originally a gold mining town- Johnny D and I enjoyed wandering around it and then bought cream soda and Fritos for 5’sies!
Daily totals: 45 miles and 2,300′ of climbing
Ian & Derrick:
Some pretty scenery along the way:
Some of the old buildings at Bannock- first is a view down the street:
The part of town where the bachelors lived:
Dave Bikes America 
….slowed by cars, hmm no wonder those brakes heat up.
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