We're almost in Portland! It's weird how it seems like we just started the ride, but NYC seems like years ago. I also haven't blogged in forever (my bad). So last time I wrote was in Wyoming. Well, since then, my derailleur decided to break itself on the ride from Cody, WY into Yellowstone. Which was super lame because it meant 4 days in the van. I picked up a job as chauffeur of the riders sick with the I4K-plague, and then got sick myself. I was so happy to have my bike fixed, though, that I disregarded illness and rode anyway. And then we had a rest day in Missoula, which was fabulous.Since Missoula, we have had some pretty intense rides, but I've actually been having a lot of fun. It feels so rewarding to make it through both the mental and physical stresses each day presents and to look back at the end of the day and say to myself "I did that." In good company, any ride can be fun. Yesterday we biked 100 miles uphill into one of the strongest headwinds we've faced, but it was a really enjoyable day. We went blackberry picking on the side of the road around mile 80, and I fell up to my thigh into a pit of thorns. I now look like I've been attacked by an angry cat, but it was totally worth it because those berries were awesome. And thanks to Max for helping me out of the thorns... and taking a picture of me stuck in them.Additional note: hot springs are AWESOME. I highly recommend going to them at any available opportunity.