https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1D3ELyKpQ7/ I woke up in the city park campground in Walden, well rested and ready to cross another state line. There was a little sadness knowing I’d be leaving Colorado behind, but mostly I felt excited to keep the journey moving forward. Up until now, every mile has been taking me closer to home. Today marked the start of riding away from home, and that gave the trip a slightly different feel. A little more adventurous, maybe even a bit melancholy. As I headed north out of town the sun started rising, and with it came the heat… and the mosquitoes. An absolute army of them. Determined to suck me dry before I made it to Wyoming. I was thankful for long sleeves, long pants, and a generous coating of DEET. I even had to break out my secret mosquito weapon… the net face hat. Not the most stylish look, but I was desperate and very thankful to have it. Crossing into Wyoming, the Colorado mountains and the melancholy faded in my rearview mirror and the wide open landscape of southern Wyoming spread out in front of me. Rolling hills, small buttes, and open country stretched to the horizon. It was beautiful, and I was eager to explore it. I set my sights on Laramie and followed Highway 230 all the way in. The ride felt good and the miles ticked by. When I arrived, I found a wonderful and bustling downtown. I stopped at an ice cream parlor for a root beer float. One wasn’t enough… I had two. Afterward, I swung by a local bike shop where the staff were incredibly friendly and helpful. I booked an Airbnb for the night, got cleaned up, and settled in for a solid night of sleep. Feeling recharged and ready to push deeper into Wyoming’s heartland tomorrow.