07.28 Page, AZ

200 miles in 2 days. I've finally completed two centuries in a row. What an awesome feeling...I told myself that I could ride in the van for the rest of the trip as long as I made it through these two days, haha. And I did it! However, tomorrow we are riding 85 miles of all hills, which is going to be interesting after two 100 mile days. Anyway, let me back track a little. The actual Shiprock in the distance

I left you just before leaving for Shiprock, NM. We didn’t end up leaving Farmington until around 2pm and so the 30 mile ride was nice and hot and a little tougher than anticipated. We got in around 5:30 and by the time everyone was shuttled to showers/dinner/etc. it was late and the pastor still wanted to take us on a tour of Shiprock. We went, of course, and it really was interesting but we didn’t get back until around 9:30pm, way past our bedtime for nights before centuries. He took us around the real poverty housing of the area (which always makes me uncomfortable; I don’t like ‘touring’ impoverished areas) and to the actual Shiprock and told us the stories behind it. Oh, we also got a maildrop and thanks to mom and Evan for awesome packages!Yesterday from Shiprock, NM to Kayenta, AZ (new state!) did not start out as the best of days. I was awakened by a cockroach next to my sleeping bag, the chore of mopping the floors, and getting killed by Alan in our assassin game. Awesome. The route was 100 miles and we had the option of taking a 12 mile detour to the Four Corners. I opted out, as did most people, because I'd heard that the Four Corners is very anti-climatic and not worth 12 miles. I worked my butt off riding though because we had planned a tour of Monument Valley which is one of the Natural Wonders of the World. However, by the time everyone got in and things got organized...rain was looming and people were backing out of the tour because they were tired etc. Plus showers were a mess because the church didn't have any and the only public one in town was $3 per person at the local laundromat. I was pissed because I really wanted to go to Monument Valley, but in the end 11 of us ended up taking the Bike & Build van to see the Valley that night. It was amazing...these random rock formations out of nowhere. And they are enormous. It's something that you can't really describe or even take pictures of. I'm really glad we got to go. Plus I got some good Harry Potter reading in the van ride :)

Today we rode another 100 miles to Page, Arizona which is on the southern shores of Lake Powell (I think Aunt Betty and Uncle Jim are on their houseboat out there somewhere right now). The ride was alright; I rode alone again...actually I've been riding alone now for a while and am really enjoying it. I get really anxious when I have to match the speeds of other people and riding alone lets me pace myself. It's very strange how I don't really think about anything. I'll give myself a topic to think about and never actually get anywhere. haha. Anyway, we're staying at the middle school on the wrestling mats (yay for soft floor, boo to ringworm) and the secretary and her husband bought us all ice cream at a local place (people are so nice!). I'm at the public library where they have free wireless and it'll probably be the last time I have internet for a while because starting tomorrow we're camping for about 5 days. Should be interesting...

Off to search craigslist for apartments in San Francisco...less than 3 weeks! Keep me updated on all your lives. Lots of love.