So today we left the small, very tour-esque town of West
Yellowstone and made our way to Driggs, Idaho. This is the only time where we
have to cross back into a separate state along our path but we made it with
relative ease because not a single pace line got a flat tire which is really
unheard of on the trip. We arrived around lunch time at the Teton Springs
Resort and we had a fantastic “sloppy joe” lunch with potato salad, Caesar
salad, brownies, as well as tea and lemonade.
Once we finished lunch we were able to swim in the pool and
lounge in the hot tub at the resort which was a nice break from what we’ve been
doing. After lounging around we all got out, showered, and dressed because
there was a guy that was arriving at about 3:30pm. This guy is the first to run
across the entire state of Idaho and he did it in nine days. He was doing so to
raise awareness and funds for kids with cancer for a foundation known as the
Tinley Foundation. It’s relatively young (I believe only two years) and it’s
very local. We all gathered outside for him and were able to cheer him on as he
ran into the parking lot. Upon arriving the sponsor of our meal donated an
extra $2,000 to the organization and it literally brought me to tears to see
these people working for such a great cause to receive such a kind donation.
Once his welcome party was over we set out for the Cushman
Ranch. Pete Cushman rode the South route in 1999 and he, along with several
other Pi Alpha’s sponsored us at his parents ranch in Driggs. We drove out
there and were able to stay in the cabins at the house where they were
sponsoring our dinner the first night as well as our entire days meals the
following day. While at the ranch we were able to go swimming, we played
croquet, I was able to shoot a shot gun for the first time, I hit a golf ball
for the first time, I went off-roading in a Hummer that had the ability to go
under water, and many, many other things. The hospitality shown by the
Cushman’s had been unmatched and it was so nice to have a break from riding to
enjoy the area.
At the end of the first night we had the chance to play
poker, and if you know me, I’ve never played it before. So I sat down with some
of the guys and they taught me the ins and outs. We played one practice round
so I could get the hang of it and I caught on pretty quick. One of the guys,
Willy, was messing around saying how he was going to win, talking all big and
bad and then the first real round we played I thought I had a pretty good hand
and Willy did too. So we ended up both going all in the first round and I won!
I couldn’t believe I knocked someone out in the first hand. I was on cloud nine
for a hot minute. We started out with
four tables and I ended up lasting until the last two so I thought I did pretty
well if I say so myself. I could definitely see playing poker with some of my
brothers on the regular once I get the hang of it a little more. I might just
have to watch poker on tv.
During the second day is when most of the activities went on
and we had a friendship with Teton Adaptive Sports which is an organization
that helps people with disabilities participate in sports like skiing and
mountain climbing. A few of those participants came over and we hung out with
them and had lunch with them as well. Once they left we went back to the other
activities before dinner which was at another house on the ranch. We had
burgers and hot dogs and afterwards we had a bonfire at the pond on their
property.
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