Day 46 Lander to Riverton 45km (Riverton Rendezvous)

Today Louise left me for Harry... Harry Potter that is. Even on a bicycle adventure you sometimes have to get the priorities right. Maybe that was the reason why she seemed in a hurry to leave the funky little town of Lander behind this morning? While I was happily chit-chatting to Tom - a fellow camper and bicycle enthusiast - getting all the insider information about our route ahead, Louise was quick in packing up and getting 'the girls' (our bicycles) ready to go. And of course she was at work in her always admirable efficiency. But when I saw the smile on her face when dropping her off at the Acme Theatre downtown Riverton I couldn't help but be happy for her that she was about to have a Rendezvous with Harry.


Riverton seems to be a little bit an odd city. When you talk to the locals they all ask you first whether you have been to Lander!? Well yes, but how about Riverton? But somehow we seem to understand where they are coming from. It's not that the city is lacking of facilities, infrastructure and business opportunities. There is even a bit a historical importance attached to this place - and after all it is located on the Wind River Indian Reservation. But somehow it doesn't have quite the charm of its southwestern neighbor Lander, where cowboy culture, students and environmental activism seem to meet. I share a personal connection with Riverton or better with a company that is based here. BRUNTON is one of the world's leading manufacturer of outdoor equipment, specialized in navigation instruments, optics, lighting and portable power. Our small family business in Switzerland used to supply Brunton with customised fuel and beverage bottles. Paps even visited Brunton once some years back and kindly reminded me just a few days ago that he also didn't get warm with the city - except when he had to exchange a tyre under the soaring sun in the middle of nowhere. We will see, we may check in at the head office tomorrow to find out whether some of the known contacts still work there. But their equipment is definitely setting bench marks in the industry. Harry's time with Louise is over. This has been the longest separation on this trip and it feels great to be in each other's company again. We better recharge our batteries with a cyclist meal and and give America's favorite pudding brand JELL-O another go - this time in vanilla flavor. Now that I just heard that our friend Jenn in Missoula is dedicating the first bite into her home made apple pie to me... Thank you Jenn!