Wheat fields and getting to the real mountains

After sleeping like a log the day broke with sunshine and a steady 15 mph wind out of the north.  We were riding south all  day so it was a real help.

First part of the day was through wheat country.  The winter wheat not quite ready for harvest.

The fields must be measured in sq. miles instead of acres.

All day the mountains became more visible. 

Closer

And closer

After lunch be began a 7% climb for about two hours. The two pictures below show the road.  Long slow climb, but the pay off was a 5 mile descent. I braked at about 43 mph. Others in the group had speeds in the 50s and the tandem clocked 61.  Too fast for this old guy.

A view from the top

Tomorrow we we begin our entry into the Yellowstone area. Our mountain passes so far have been no higher than 6,500 ft.  Now we will see some up to 9,000 and higher.  So far no thin air problems.