July 31, 2015 – Sunny, 100 degrees
Miles Today: 35
Miles to Date: 4,863
States to Date: 20
Today was an upside down day. I hung around Logan all day – exploring Logan Canyon, visiting Utah State University (where same gender domestic abuse posters populate the men;s room), taking an afternoon writing break, and visiting ANCA (Association of Nature Center Administrators) to talk about tomorrow. When I headed north out of downtown in US 91 about four, the thermometer hovered at 100 degrees. Logan is typical of so many American cities; a few landmark buildings preserved downtown with miles of strip commercial leading in and out of town. Since I hadn’t eaten since my Econolodge breakfast I decided to stop for an early dinner while the sun was still hot.
Move over Chinese Buffet, I discovered Golden Corral, the touring cyclists perfect feast. Fresh fruit, salad, rotisserie chicken, enchiladas, sautéed zucchini, mushrooms, squash, and cauliflower, chocolate covered strawberries, brownies, cookies and banana pudding. It is amazing.
True, most of the clientele doesn’t look like me. There are a lot of size 42 waists who snatch the tables closest to the buffet line rather than sit near the windows. But for $10.99 (I qualify for the senior citizen discount) there’s lots of healthy food for folks who can avoid the macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes and gravy, fried chicken, pasta al fredo and bottomless Coca-Cola. I was fully fueled for my 28-mile ride through the Cache Valley into Idaho.
Riding in the evening is very pleasant, though I would only do it on easy stretches with steady traffic because there’s less time to address emergencies when the sun is waning. Fortunately I got to see more of my favorite Utah architecture – the ice shave stands that are all over the place – and passed into Idaho and on to Preston without any difficulty.
Preston was bustling because it’s Rodeo weekend, but I managed to book a sweet little room at the Rocky Mountain Red Brick Inn; a converted church that was my first night in a bed and breakfast.
The Awkward Pose 