Best Town Award Goes to... Milford

A little later into Utah, past the 110 degree days in the desert we were blessed by our schedule with a 50 mile day.  Fifty miles, what would have once been daunting to me and the group as a whole, had become a cake walk, a rolling rest day if you will, but that was only the first great thing about this day.  According to the ever so often referenced elevation profile on our maps that help us plan for climbs and descents, we would have only one  climb in this 50 mile day. As we left the KOA in a group consisting of at least 2/3's of the group, we crushed across the plains with a 20+ mph average and before we knew it, literally, we were at our first stop of the day, the summit of our "Climb;" we had been going so fast and been so focused that we had completed the climb without even knowing we were doing it.  From here, according to the elevation profile, it was all down hill; except this time when I say all down hill, it was actually all down hill! So for the remaining 25 miles the cruised to our destination, Milford, Utah.

When we arrived in Milford we consulted our director Don, the knower of all things, for advice as to where to eat lunch, he replied with swift assertion Penny's Diner.  So without hesitation taking heed to our rumbling stomachs we headed to Penny's Diner. From the outside Penny's was your ordinary diner like many we had visited along the route thus far, but our experience there would prove to be very out of the ordinary.  I ordered the "Monster Burger" which was the largest most caloric thing they had on the menu, which was very ordinary for me and very delicious.  After we ate we sat there talking to Don and discussing the very nice hotel that was right next door to Penny's.  We were discussing how much we would love to stay in this hotel for the night and get a break from the heat, but we could only afford to do so if it only cost us $40 a night.  There was no way that this particular hotel would cost $40 a night but that was our price, we could do no higher, but our hopes were needless to say quite low, and we were fully prepared to pitch our tents at the town park.  We had continued to talk about our air-conditioned hotel room fantasy when a lady came over to our table and interupted us. "I am the hotel manager for the hotel next door" she said, "And I just wanted to let you know that I am offering you all rooms tonight for $40 a night."  Our table erupted in laughter as the woman looked at us bewildered and kindof insulted when Mark Letenzi explained to her, "I'm sorry miss, we were JUST talking about how we could only afford to stay there if it was $40 a night," to this she grinned and said "Well we would love to host you because we love what you are doing." She wasn't done yet though, "Also we own Penny's Diner and we are offering your whole team free breakfast tomorrow morning."  We were bewildered and gleeful beyond belief as we were set up in our hotel rooms.
Before the night was over we were offered even more hospitality, we rode our bikes to the town park to recieve a full pizza dinner provided by the local Lyon's Club. After which we followed with a giant sundae from Penny's to complete our massive caloric intake for the day.

Our stay in Milford Utah was unmatched by any other, remarkable and something I will never forget. Again and again ever since Virginia and Kentucky I am reminded that even in the strangest and most desolate places there are people in America that will open the hearts and doors to you and welcome you with open arms knowing next to nothing about you.  There are people that are passionate about giving to others and welcoming strangers.  This is the kind of way I hope to live my life.