Day 112: Sunday, July 30, 2011

17 miles to Bend, Oregon

Bob and I met Jim and Ellen, two friends bicycling near Bend.  We were taking a main road from Redmond to Bend and they invited us to take a more scenic route.  We rode over the Deschutes River and through some beautiful country.  When we reached their destination, Jim was reluctant to have us continue on the main highway, but Bob didn’t want to take the hillier route.  About 4 miles after we left Jim and Ellen, Jim caught up with us on the highway.  He kindly offered to load our bicycles up and give us a tour of the city.  He said we wouldn’t see much on the route we were traveling.  We drove through downtown Bend with tons of cute shops,  past Drake Park and then on to the Old Mill District.  The Old Mill District is built on land that once housed two of the world’s largest sawmills.  It has a vast array of shops, restaurants, galleries, museums and parks. He dropped us off at the RV campground, which he didn't even know existed.  After we showered, Bob, Vincent and I went back to the Old Mill District and had a nice seafood lunch at Anthony’s while we watched the leisure activities on the Deschutes River.

Deschutes River

Day 111: Saturday, July 29, 2011

30 miles into the ExpoCenter RV Park, Redmond, Oregon

Bob and I bicycled to Redmond.  Then I bicycled around Redmond looking for a place to get a haircut while Bob hung out at the local coffee shop.  Our RV campground is just outside the Deschutes County Fairground which is one of the finest fairgrounds I have ever seen.  We are coming back here after our trip to Crater Lake National Park and the county fair will be ongoing at the time.  This is another serendipitous event for me because I was sad about missing the Montgomery County Fair this year.  I am looking forward to seeing all the animals, fruits, vegetables and home arts.

Ochoco View.  We weren't expecting this climb just as we left Prinefville.

Day 110: Friday, July 29, 2011

37 miles into Crook County RV Park, Prineville, Oregon

Bob dropped me off at mile marker 54 and it only took me 45 minutes to get to the top.  I was surprised since I had to rest every mile I was going up.  Riding down the other side was fantastic fun.  The scenery is beginning to look the way I always imagined Oregon-green and lush. Lake Ochoco is about 23 miles on the western side of the mountain.  I watched a flock of pelicans complete a majestic sweep of the end of the lake and then settle gently back into the meadow.  It was a splendid sight.  I puzzled over the very strange cattle I saw in one pasture and later learned they are water buffalo.  I passed a field of unfamiliar plants and a woman I spoke to thought they might be seed carrots.  I looked seed carrot plants up on the internet and these don’t look the same.  Anyone have an idea as to what they might be?

I also saw my first view of what I think is the Three Sisters volcanic peaks.  These are the last mountains we have to cross and we will be taking McKenzie Pass to get through the Three Sisters Wilderness.  You’ll have to wait a bit to hear how that goes because we are taking a trip to Crater Lake National Park before we head up to Sisters.

Pelican formation

Mysterious plant?

Three Sisters

Day 109: Thursday, July 28, 2011

51 miles to mile marker 54 on Route 26, about 4 miles from the top of Ochoco Pass

I bicycled over Keyes Creek Pass today and kept riding until I ran out of water about 4 miles from the top of Ochoco Pass.  Bob and I had planned to meet in Mitchell, about 39 miles from Dayville, but the road into the city was closed.  So I decided to just keep riding until I saw Bob on the route.  I finally stopped and waited when I ran out of water.  He came by about 30 minutes later and all was fine.  There was a nice breeze as I waited for him which helped to combat the 96 degree temperatures.

Climbing Ochoco Pass

Day 108: Wednesday, July 27, 2011

We decided to spend an extra day in Dayville.  The campground is tranquil and the weather is beautiful.  It also gave us a chance to visit John Day Fossil Beds National Monument.  I had never heard of this National Park before, but I am very glad we decided to visit.  It is an incredible preservation of life through millions of years.  Since the 1860’s exploration and study have yielded amazing results.  Each year, hundreds of specimens are added to the collection and the fossil beds have yielded significant findings and so much information is collected that scientists are able to assemble and reconstruct ancient ecosystems.  The beds are dispersed across 20,000 square miles of eastern Oregon.  Obviously, more than a day would be needed to fully appreciate the area.

Day 107: Tuesday, July 26, 2011

32 miles into Fish House Inn and RV Campground, Dayville, Oregon

Today was a milestone day.  Not only did I reach 3000 miles, but Bob let Vincent drive the travel trailer to the RV campground and he bicycled with me.  It was a great ride.  The weather was beautiful-crisp and cool with just a slight breeze and the route was a slight downhill for most of the time.  Now that he is comfortable with Vincent driving and setting up, I hope he will bicycle with me more frequently.  He did say, however, that he wasn’t ready to go over any passes!

Day 105: Sunday, July 24, 2011

55 miles to Austin Junction, Oregon

Up and over two passes today: Sumpter Pass (5082 feet) and Tipton Pass (5124 feet).  Tipton was tough because I had already bicycled about 43 miles and it was 96 degrees according to the key ring thermometer that I have on my bicycle.  The heat makes me very tired, so I pulled over to some shade on the road and slept for about 15 minutes.  I could have slept longer, but the flies wouldn’t leave me alone.  There are only 4 more passes to get over the Cascade Mountains and then about 80 miles to the coast from Eugene.

Powder River Recreation Area, East Oregon