We left Gunnison, CO for Salida by 5:45 this morning. Ryan and I had stripped our bikes down to the bare necessities leaving our bike racks, bags, and many random items we will probably never use on this trip. Today’s total mileage was 66.96 with about an 11-mile climb over Monarch pass located at the continental divide at 11,312 feet elevation. We wanted our bikes to be as light as possible, getting any help we could. It was a very cool morning, and I was under dressed, as I always seem to find myself. So when my ninth flat of the trip reared its ugly head, I was ever so thankful that Rob jumped into action to change my tube. My hands were so numb I had a hard time even getting the new tube out. Gentle rolling hills along green pastures were a relaxing and easy way to ease into the day. After our first rest stop, Ryan left Rob and I in the dust. Ryan found his legs a few days ago and has been at the head of the pack since. Rob took it easier then normal and pedaled the uphill climb at my pace. I am fast on the flats but pretty slow on the climbs. It was a long but not very steep climb. The scenery was beautiful with more and more evergreens. At times I started to panic, I was getting tired and my muscles started to ache. At one point I looked up and saw how far we still had to climb, and start to play mind tricks with myself that the end was just around the next curve. Rob told me to try and stay in the moment, enjoy what we were experiencing at that precise time and take it one pedal stroke at a time. It helped. We stopped to take pictures about a mile before the pass, and looking down at what we had climbed and the tops of all those hundreds or thousands of trees, I forgot my annoyance of a few minutes past, and became excited with our feat and remembered one reason for me going on this trip. The rush of working hard to achieve something and seeing it bear fruit and beauty. It is an awesome high. We made it to the top, ate, rested, and shared in the excitement of reaching the summit with the rest of the riders. The best part about a huge climb is the downhill. It was the best one yet. I reached my top speed, and cruised for miles. It was slightly scary but so, so, so much fun. I’d climb that hill again for another downhill that amazing. Today was great for more then just the obvious reasons. I am tired and having a hard time putting into words everything that I am experiencing on this trip, tons of little blimps of awesomeness. Tonight, we are having a potluck dinner and education program with the members of St. Joseph’s parish. When we arrived this afternoon there was plenty of food and water for showers for us. Their generosity has been abundant. Thanks to everyone who has helped in this journey. Forever hope, Sarah