Day 53
   
   6/19/01
   Mile 4833
   South of Cantwell, AK
   
   I made up my mind to have an enjoyable day today, and it was so.
   
   For breakfast I stopped at a roadhouse, and ordered the three-egg
   omlette, "with extra calories".  Without missing a beat, the guy
   behind the counter asked, "Would you like that fried in our special
   aged grease?  It's fortified!"
   
   It's good to run across people that are on the ball.
   
   I came across another moose in a marsh, feeding on the water plants.  A
   couple of German tourists were also watching, but spoke little
   English; they kept pointing at the moose and saying "Vunderbar! Vunderbar!".
   By far, German was the most common nationality I had come across, and
   it's been that way for as many years as I have been traveling in Canada as
   well.  Hats off to them for exploring.
   
   About the only other wildlife I saw was a few porcupines, munching on
   leaves.  They would freeze for moment when they heard me, then
   continue eating, or slowly amble off into the bush.  These fellows feared no
   creature - although for some reason I got the impression their
   eyesight wasn't very good.
   
   Scattered rain clouds crisscrossed my path, and became things to
   dodge.  None of them amounted to much.  I climbed over Broad Pass (which is
   exactly like it sounds, so broad you can't tell precisely where it is) and down
   the other side, still never seeing the main mountain although many smaller
   peaks were visible.  The Alaska Railroad crosses the road several
   times, and provides a scenic way to experience the sights for the
   train buff.
   
   I did my hundred miles and looked for a camping spot.  This was my
   final time to do a century ride, as there was less than a hundred
   miles remaining.  I set up the tent for the last time and crawled in.
   
   Man, these shoes are ready for another dose of Clorox.  But only one
   more day to go.

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