We bought some food at the market in Montpelier and headed out of town. The brand new Mormon temple wasn’t here when Brent met us on our 2022 bike trip. In fact it isn’t even open until later this year.
As we rode by the farms, I must have woke up the dogs in the neighborhood but by the time they reached the road, Bob was the target. He yelled “No!” At the top of his lungs as a dog owner would. He narrowly escaped.
We climbed 2000ft and 35 miles through the forest and even saw cattle grazing in the forest which is a first for me. Apparently the ranchers pay the forest service for this according to Debbie (store clerk).
As we had hoped, Bailey’s Market in the tiny farm town of Niter was open and we were warmly welcomed by Daphne (an owner) and she even let us camp under the Aspen tree behind the store. I guzzled two 32 ounce Vitamin waters and a few other snacks as we rested after our ride.
I thought Niter was named after an early settler but it’s actually another less used name for saltpeter which is in the area.
Because it was such a hot afternoon and night, Brent and I left our rainflies off the tent to stay cooler but we were awoken by another thunderstorm at 1AM. I’m not used to so many changes in the weather.
Next we ride to Lava Hot Springs.
Gotta love a free campsite under an Aspen tree