Day 5
June 5, 2005
Well for a day that I had started to dread, it turned out being pretty great.
I got up and moving around 8:45, I was hoping to be on the road by 8, so I wasn’t too thrilled with my relatively late morning. But once I got up and started packing things up, with the help of a little background music, I wasn’t too upset by the clock anymore. I got everything together, checked out, and headed back to the Supermarket for a little brunch. For those who care, I got 2 corn dogs for a buck, a small thing of potato salad, a bag of Honey BBQ Corn Twists by Frito-lay, and chocolate milk. I ate all but the corn twists, on the curb of the establishment, and headed out of town.
Today was the coldest day so far. Not only was it cold, it was windy to boot! - and what does that really mean, “to boot”... - Anyway, it was a pretty rough start, I wasn’t looking forward to the rest of the day. But…!
Once I turned east and really headed away from Redmond, the wind I was thinking would ruin the day was now at my back. And, I didn’t mention this, but it was pretty cloudy when I first headed out, now the clouds had started to break up, the sun was coming out after all. I don’t know if I’ve mentioned this yet, but sunshine is key to a great day out here. It just opens everything up, and today there was a lot to open.
Today’s ride was the prettiest ride so far, and I’m sure I may say that again – I thought it couldn’t get better after McKenzie, and that does still hold the record for the best view. But I was just blown away by the buttes and open plains, and the healthy horses and cattle that today had, it was really amazing. I passed a few signs advertising their lots for sale, I was tempted to jot down the number just in case, you never know... I would love to wake up to a view like that everyday. It made me wonder what kind of great lifestyle comes with a piece of property like that. I imagine it’s a throw back to the good ole’ Americana that used to be, and I guess still is. Just working the land and/or your cattle and truly reaping the benefits of your hard work, going “into town” whenever you needed something your mom or dad couldn’t make, seems like it’d be fine livin’.
Another cool part about today’s ride was coming across several teams in the Race Across Oregon qualifier for the Race Across America. The first ladies team I came across were really nice and chatted a bit while they waited for their team member to come and “pass the baton” as it were. I passed about 5 other teams headed in the same direction, pretty neat. Some of them were well into their Golden Years, if you catch my drift. How great to be that old and still out tackling feats like that.
And I forgot to mention, I met my first touring cyclists yesterday as I was leaving Sisters, two guys who started in Missoula, Montana and were headed to San Francisco. They started about two weeks ago and were halfway into their trip. It was nice to talk to them. We exchanged thoughts about what the other was about to encounter, I told them about my trip over McKenzie the day before… I hope to meet up with some more cyclists, it’d be nice to ride with some people for a day or two.
But today was good. I conquered my second pass of the trip, Ochoco Pass – 4,720 feet. It was much easier than the Mighty McKenzie, just a nice steady climb. However, as relatively easy as the pass was, I was glad to find the campsite just at the top of the hill.
I found a nice little spot to set up camp for the night, gathered material for another fabulous campfire, and went to work getting it fired up. Just as I got her going, a truck and trailer of horses I had passed while riding around the campground rode by on their way out of the campsite. I waved hello again as I was tending to the fire and they slowed to a stop as the lady rolled down her window and yelled out to me. I went over to the truck and she asked again if I wanted a Coke, to which I excitedly said, “Absolutely!” The man got out of the truck and handed me a 12-pack box with 5 cans of Coke in it. I couldn’t believe it. We had just exchanged pleasant smiles and hellos as I was riding around looking for a nice spot to set up; it was very nice of them. I thanked them very much several times and told them briefly what I was doing and where I was headed. So to the kind people with the horse trailer, thanks again!
I went back to the fire and enjoyed the nice bag of Honey BBQ Twists I got at the supermarket in Redmond. I thought about making some Ramen but the clouds were coming rather quickly I feared and I didn’t want to get the stove out and all set up only to rush to make the noodles and get it all packed away again before the rain. But the twists and the Coke satisfied my appetite. And then for dessert…
Before I began climbing up the Ochoco Pass I stopped by the Prineville McDonalds and got a dollar double cheeseburger and two hot apple pies while I made a quick call to the family. I ate the cheeseburger while I chatted and saved the two pies for later, and was I glad I did. The last picture is of how I’m sure Mr. McDonald, or whoever, originally intended for his delicious pies to be eaten.
Today: 56.82 Total: 262.61
Well for a day that I had started to dread, it turned out being pretty great.
I got up and moving around 8:45, I was hoping to be on the road by 8, so I wasn’t too thrilled with my relatively late morning. But once I got up and started packing things up, with the help of a little background music, I wasn’t too upset by the clock anymore. I got everything together, checked out, and headed back to the Supermarket for a little brunch. For those who care, I got 2 corn dogs for a buck, a small thing of potato salad, a bag of Honey BBQ Corn Twists by Frito-lay, and chocolate milk. I ate all but the corn twists, on the curb of the establishment, and headed out of town.
Today was the coldest day so far. Not only was it cold, it was windy to boot! - and what does that really mean, “to boot”... - Anyway, it was a pretty rough start, I wasn’t looking forward to the rest of the day. But…!
Once I turned east and really headed away from Redmond, the wind I was thinking would ruin the day was now at my back. And, I didn’t mention this, but it was pretty cloudy when I first headed out, now the clouds had started to break up, the sun was coming out after all. I don’t know if I’ve mentioned this yet, but sunshine is key to a great day out here. It just opens everything up, and today there was a lot to open.
Today’s ride was the prettiest ride so far, and I’m sure I may say that again – I thought it couldn’t get better after McKenzie, and that does still hold the record for the best view. But I was just blown away by the buttes and open plains, and the healthy horses and cattle that today had, it was really amazing. I passed a few signs advertising their lots for sale, I was tempted to jot down the number just in case, you never know... I would love to wake up to a view like that everyday. It made me wonder what kind of great lifestyle comes with a piece of property like that. I imagine it’s a throw back to the good ole’ Americana that used to be, and I guess still is. Just working the land and/or your cattle and truly reaping the benefits of your hard work, going “into town” whenever you needed something your mom or dad couldn’t make, seems like it’d be fine livin’.
Another cool part about today’s ride was coming across several teams in the Race Across Oregon qualifier for the Race Across America. The first ladies team I came across were really nice and chatted a bit while they waited for their team member to come and “pass the baton” as it were. I passed about 5 other teams headed in the same direction, pretty neat. Some of them were well into their Golden Years, if you catch my drift. How great to be that old and still out tackling feats like that.
And I forgot to mention, I met my first touring cyclists yesterday as I was leaving Sisters, two guys who started in Missoula, Montana and were headed to San Francisco. They started about two weeks ago and were halfway into their trip. It was nice to talk to them. We exchanged thoughts about what the other was about to encounter, I told them about my trip over McKenzie the day before… I hope to meet up with some more cyclists, it’d be nice to ride with some people for a day or two.
But today was good. I conquered my second pass of the trip, Ochoco Pass – 4,720 feet. It was much easier than the Mighty McKenzie, just a nice steady climb. However, as relatively easy as the pass was, I was glad to find the campsite just at the top of the hill.
I found a nice little spot to set up camp for the night, gathered material for another fabulous campfire, and went to work getting it fired up. Just as I got her going, a truck and trailer of horses I had passed while riding around the campground rode by on their way out of the campsite. I waved hello again as I was tending to the fire and they slowed to a stop as the lady rolled down her window and yelled out to me. I went over to the truck and she asked again if I wanted a Coke, to which I excitedly said, “Absolutely!” The man got out of the truck and handed me a 12-pack box with 5 cans of Coke in it. I couldn’t believe it. We had just exchanged pleasant smiles and hellos as I was riding around looking for a nice spot to set up; it was very nice of them. I thanked them very much several times and told them briefly what I was doing and where I was headed. So to the kind people with the horse trailer, thanks again!
I went back to the fire and enjoyed the nice bag of Honey BBQ Twists I got at the supermarket in Redmond. I thought about making some Ramen but the clouds were coming rather quickly I feared and I didn’t want to get the stove out and all set up only to rush to make the noodles and get it all packed away again before the rain. But the twists and the Coke satisfied my appetite. And then for dessert…
Before I began climbing up the Ochoco Pass I stopped by the Prineville McDonalds and got a dollar double cheeseburger and two hot apple pies while I made a quick call to the family. I ate the cheeseburger while I chatted and saved the two pies for later, and was I glad I did. The last picture is of how I’m sure Mr. McDonald, or whoever, originally intended for his delicious pies to be eaten.
Today: 56.82 Total: 262.61
posted by SuperByron3000 at 6/07/2005
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home