Day 36 - 60 Miles to Riverside, WY

Monday, June 30 - Rawlins, WY to Riverside, WY, 60 miles, after sleeping in to 7:15 and leaving at about 9:45. 1,930 total miles. Today was my first time cycling on the Interstate. I had to go about 13 miles on I-80 out of Sinclair, WY - no other roads; it was noisy, it was good to get off. Continued barren and desolate 'til Saratoga (40 mi.) where we began to see trees and some green grass. We saw at least 92 antelope, mostly on the 20-mile highway into Saratoga. Also saw a bald eagle, an osprey, and white American pelicans near Saratoga. We found a nice campsite, shade trees, too, beside the Encampment River, Riverside, WY - elevation 7,260, pop. 59. Kathy prepared sliced potatoes & onions and a veggie mix cooked in aluminum foil next to a couple of steaks. Yum!! Thundershower missed us. Eating shouldn't be this good!! I'm sure enjoying it while I can. A bit of trivia. I lost 5 lbs. in the first 4 weeks despite eating huge portions. That's what happens when more calories are burned pedaling than are taken in eating. Bring on the chow!

Thanks for all the comments and encouragement. Time and internet access don't permit me to acknowledge comments on the road. I do read them and I love hearing from all of you. Thanks!!! --Tom

Day 35 - Unintended Century - 123 Miles

June 29 - Lander to Rawlins, 123 miles, my second century and longest century by 11 miles. I left Lander at 8:00 and rode 55 miles until Kathy caught up with me. She had gone for a walk and grocery shopping for our intended camp at Jeffrey City campground at mile 63. Well, Jeffrey City was all boarded up except for a small bar and what may have been a small motel. The only thing missing from the scene was tumbleweed blowing down the street. We decided to move on from this uninviting place 22 miles to Muddy Gap. Nothing there but Kathy got permission to camp in a guy's front yard. Picture a trailer (his home) and gravel and sage brush front yard without a tree within 50 miles. On to the next option - Grandma's Cafe 11 miles down the road - closed. I met Kathy there and told Kathy "I can do Rawlins" another 40 miles. She suggested a KOA campsite. I said a "Comfort Inn" with cold air conditioning sounded better after 123 miles. Done!

I had an unexpected 1,000-foot climb late morning and crossed the Continental Divide twice in the afternoon. I took nutritional aid from Kathy twice late afternoon, otherwise, pedaled my 70-pound rig & ate & drank from my supplies. Water was available sparingly along the way; at Muddy Gap gas station, I had a chocolate ice cream bar and an iced green tea. Ate peanut butter bagel for lunch and during the day had 3 apples, 10 Fig Newtons, 3 or 4 bananas, 2 Gatorades, and lots of water. During the day I crossed the Great Divide Basin, a vast, seemingly barren and desolate area. Not a cloud in the sky, temp in mid 80s. Used lots of SPF 70 and chapstick for lips. Fairly certain I saw wild horses today far from any ranch on Bureau of Land Management (BLM land). Saw a couple dozen antelope. It was a fine day and I felt good at the end of it.

Day 34 - 72 Miles to Lander

June 28, Day 34, ending the day at Lander, WY (pop. 6867), after 72 miles today, 1,747 total miles. Those miles were hard gained with a steady head wind - in dramatic contrast to yesterday's, dreamy tail winds! It amazes me to see how much the topography can change day to day. We had mostly high desert plains as we passed through the Wind River [Shoshone] Indian Reservation. Some might describe the landscape as barren and desolate. I loved the raw beauty and muted colors. When stopped, the silence was profound. Saw two antelope and one deer, and a variety of interesting birds. I'm told there are wild horses in the area, and I may have seen some, but how do you know if the horses are wild or belong to the ranch ten miles back? Tidbits: Remember me losing my cell phone on the third day. I was talking to a bicycle touring couple on Monday at Flagg Ranch while waiting for Kathy. We were discussing one of the biggest challenges, that is staying organized and not misplacing/losing things. Well, I mentioned losing my cell phone and they said they had lost their phone on their third day out. Then they mentioned finding several cell phones along the road. Today I found my first cell phone on the side of the road, and ironically it was the same model as the one I had lost. At breakfast this morning I received the now standard "large pancake" warning, and I gave my standard reply, "Bring 'em on!" That's it for now. It's great to be "back on the Road Again..." Mass tonight at Holy Rosary. --Tom

Day 33 - 54 Miles to Dubois

Friday, June 27 - Total to date 1,675 miles. Finished at Dubois, WY camping by the Wind River. Climbed through 9.658-foot Togwotee Pass. Plenty of snow remains. Good tail wind to Dubois. Saw 4 deer early on. Dinner at the Cowboy Cafe. Disclosure statement: some of you may be wondering if I am still riding a 105-pound rig or if I'm slack packing. I'm "letting" Kathy carry about 35 pounds of unnecessary gear leaving me pushing 70 pounds over the mountains. Truth is, next week when we part at Pubelo, I'm sending cold weather gear and other stuff back with her. So, I guess I'm pseudo slack-packing.

Grand Teton Hiking Day - No Biking Miles

No biking today (Thursday) but total so far is 1,621 miles. Back on the road tomorrow. We went to Grand Teton National Park which is close to Jackson, Wyoming & hiked a 6.6 mile trail along Jenny Lake. The Tetons are so spectacular with snow covering the peaks. Wildlife seen included marmot (sunbathing), deer, merganzer duck, ravens, and a squirrel. Jenny Lake is crystal clear.

Haven't talked about food lately but it's been good eating - trout & salmon dinner on Monday at Flagg Ranch Restaurant, lasagna & manicotti dinners at Pete's Pizza & Pasta on Tuesday in West Yellowstone, the best pancakes ever (buttermilk & blueberry buckwheat) at Running Bear Pancake house Wed. morning (Kathy ate bacon & eggs), shrimp & spinach quesadilas for both of us at Merry Piglets in Jackson last nite, black bean soup, elk chili, salad, and cornbread at Signal Mt. Lodge in the Tetons for lunch, and beef brisket sandwich, potato salad, barbecue chicken, and coleslaw at Bubba's in Jackson for this evening's dinner.

Met Richard Edwards from Farragut in Yellowstone on Tuesday. It seems that most people fly to Denver, Salt Lake City, or some other "nearby" city and rent cars rather than drive the long distance to get to Yellowstone & the Grand Tetons.

The Grand Teton from Jenny Lake Hike

Not All the Beauty Has Been on the Grand Scale - Flower at Grand Teton

Tom at 1 of 3 Yellowstone Continental Divide Crossings

Mary's Silo House Near Alder, MT

Lots of Support for Our Troops

Grandma Janette & Grandchildren Painting Post at Bakery

Historic St. Mary Church in Laurin, MT

The Long Road Ahead Somewhere in Montana

Phase II and Update

June 26, Thursday, Day 32, Zero day - Waking at the Trapper Inn in Jackson, WY. We have been out of internet access while in the Yellowstone area. Phase II of this cycling adventure began on Monday with a kiss at 3:30, at Flagg Ranch, just outside of the south entrance of Yellowstone Park. As planned, Kathy arrived to join me in visiting Yellowstone and Teton parks, and then traveling in parallel with me to Pueblo, CO, about two weeks away. The business of pedaling 65-mile days resumes tomorrow, with a climb over 9600-foot Togwotee Pass. Following is a brief summary of the past few days. Kathy, too, will be adding updates to add information and perspective. Day 27, 25.7 miles, arriving in West Yellowstone with Peter Bryant. I ran into Karen Downer, formerly ESH Mgr. at ORNL and now at INEEL, at the park visitor center. It's really a small world! I also met east bound cyclist Gary Hicklin, who had been trying to catch me for two weeks. See you down the road, Gary. Day 28, 53 miles, deciding to stay over at Grant Village CG in the park, since Kathy would not arrive to south entrance until Monday afternoon. Met Peter and his wife (also visiting) there and enjoyed a wonderful chili dinner. Thanks, Linda!!! Day 29, 24 miles to Flagg Ranch and rendezvous with Kathy! Day 30, zero day, touring through Yellowstone, seeing eagles, buffalo, elk and of course the Old Faithful display! We spent the night at the Ho Hum motel in West Yellowstone. Day 31, 29 miles after another day of touring the other side of Yellowstone and seeing hundreds of buffalo, a gray wolf, and the spectacular, "Grand Canyon of Yellowstone." The 29 mile ride was to avoid violating Larry Long's first rule of backpacking, never to back track. When I resume on Friday, I'll pick up at the point of departure after the 29 miles. There were so many other highlights, but I'll let them go for now and gradually catch up with the best, later. We plan a second night at the very nice Trapper Inn, and then back to life on the road. --Tom

Day 27 - 25 Miles to West Yellowstone

Today is a light day & the library here closes in 8 minutes. Tentative plans are to pass through Yellowstone tomorrow & meet wife, Kathy, on South side. She left home Friday & should make it on Monday afternoon. Mass tonight at Our Lady of the Pines. Been traveling the past couple of days with Peter Bryant (my age group)of Golden, CO enroute from Seattle to Denver. He is meeting his wife in Yellowstone this weekend. Weather has been fantastic. I saw 16 antelope yesterday & a half dozen mule deer. Also seeing an abundant variety of birds including loons today. It is so nice to be in sunshine and out of the rain for a while. Evenings are pretti chilly but days are into the 70s. That's it for now.

Day 25 - 56 Miles to Virginia City

Thursday, June 19 - 56 miles, 1,426 total. No cell phone service in Virginia City (pop. 130) but there is the historic library with modern computers! In my easy 56 miles today, I saw a deer and fawn this morning, as well as the regular ducks, geese, hawks, swallows, magpies, and other birds. I have set up camp 3/4 of a mile east of town at the VC RV, and the ride there tells me that the next three miles in the morning will be grueling climb of about a thousand feet.

Serendipity is a pleasant, unexpected event, that some may call trail magic, a God wink, or whatever. One such event occurred when I pulled over to a little, out of the way bakery near Alder, pop. ~116. Grandma Janette was out front painting a post, assisted by her three little grandchildren. It happened to be around lunch time and I couldn't pass up buying six of her delicious oatmeal cookies. She gave me two slices of fresh potato bread and some homemade jelly to go with my dwindling peanut butter supply. I also had a granny smith apple purchased yesterday to cap the meal. We sat under a shade tree in the yard and talked as I ate. It was a pleasant, unexpected time that I'll remember.

It turns out that she is a parishioner to the beautiful historic Saint Mary of the Assumption Church in Laurin, about a mile down the road away from Alder. I told her about the church we are building in Farragut and the similarities in style.

A few miles further down the road I had to stop and ask "Mary" if I could take a picture of her unique four story home. Her husband built the home out of a grain silo! It is beautifully decorated with planters and flowers. Remarkable. I promise a picture at a later time.

I'm heading back into this historic town to take pictures. Dinner was a buffalo burger and moose drool beer. I stopped at the VC Creamery for chocolate almond ice cream. Yummy. It's back to the camp site for a good sleep before the morning climb! Oh, yes, I learned that Eli Whitner from Knoxville (Day 20, Powell Junction) knows Debbie L. in Knoxville who I know. Small world again. That's it for now!

Day 24 - 64 Miles to Dillon

Wednesday, June 18 - 64 miles, 1,370 total miles. Breakfast was 3 pancakes which I couldn't finish. Crossed several significant passes, Big Hole Pass and Badger Pass. Had a pretty good tailwind. Saw 5 antelope (never seen one before) and deer. It felt like "home on the range." Saw sandhill cranes, western tanger, snipe-like birds, and yellow-headed blackbirds. Visited the library but couldn't post any pictures. Just like yesterday, traffic was light on this stretch. Checked into a KOA Cabin, a smart move as it's thundering. I'm sitting on the porch swing waiting for my laundry to finish. Ate a hamburger, fries, salad, and a beer at Papa T's. It looks like I'm going to beat Kathy to West Yellowstone as she's not leaving home until Friday. She's busy packing up everything and tending to Shirley (our old dog.)

Day 23 - 65 Miles to Wisdom

Tuesday, June 17 - 65 miles for the day, 1,306 total miles. Biked Rte. 93 over the Continental Divide and Rte. 43 over a significant pass, Chief Joseph Pass (7,241 ft.) to Wisdom. I had 32 miles of ascending approach and then 8 miles of steep climbing for 3,200 vertical feet. Last 22 miles of the day were down hill with a wonderful tailwind. This was my first time to cross the Continental Divide and made me feel somewhat triumphant. My legs are getting stronger and adapting to the mountains. Lots and lots of wildlife and grand, expansive beauty to behold. I feel priviledged! Saw deer, ducks, geese, & migratory birds but mosquitoes are the most dominant wildlife - a swarm around me at the campground! Stopped at Big Hole National Monument for sight-seeing. For your geography lesson, a bowl-like area surrounded by mountains is called a "hole." Very light traffic today (nice)! Wisdom (pop. 114) was named for the Wisdom (now the Big Hole) River that flows thru town. Camped at an American Legion Park and dinner was chicken, a baked potato, salad, apple pie, and ice cream.

Day 22 - 55 Miles to Hamillton

Monday, June 16 - 55 miles, 1,241 total miles. Went to Mass at St. Francis this morning, then to Adventure Cycling Association store to buy 2 maps and a thermarest pad (my old pad's been leaking for several weeks). It was neat as there was free ice cream, drinks, & a bikers' lounge. While there, someone called out, "Mr. Perry, how are you?" It was Mark Thurman, who was in cub scouts with my sons years ago, & his friend Dillon Dickey from Farragut, TN, my hometown. I treated them (& a Brit friend Guy) to breakfast (as I told Mark's father I'd do if I ran into him). Small world, huh? Had short stack of pancakes & scrambled egg. Met the executive director of the magazine (Adv. Cycle). It's 88 out - not complaining bit! Biked a bit & bought a Subway to eat for lunch. Was on Rte. 93 today. Wildlife today: saw deer, talked to a dear (one guess!),hawks, kildeer, & kingfishers. Rode thru Stevensville & it has "yellowjackets" mascot just like in Stephensville, TX (where some family members live). Set up camp at Anglers Cove Campground sitting watching the Bitterroot River while drinking a Coors lite & munching on cashews. I'll be on Rte. 43 tomorrow.

Day 21 - 56 Miles to Missoula, Montana

Sunday June 15, 56 miles, 1,186 total trip miles. Went over Lolo Pass, it wasn't so bad of a pass. Had a headwind, slightly downhill. Went to Mass at St. Francis Xavier, an historic church, with Fr. Rich Perry (no relation) presiding. Stayed at a motel (I'm in Montana now!) and dined at Iron Horse restaurant. Ate a blackened tuna sandwich and drank a newcastle beer. Had leftover cookies for dessert afterwards.

Day 20 - 66 Miles to Powell Junction

Saturday, June 14 - 66 miles, 1,130 total. Cycled by the Lachsa River 66 miles ascending to Lolo Pass. Saw a bald eagle at Kooskia & a motorist told me about a moose up ahead. Never did see the moose but saw evidence of moose along the way if you get my drift. I see deer everyday now. Met a guy touring on a motorcycle who introduced himself as Eli Whitner (?) from Knoxville, TN, while I said, "I'm Tom Perry from Knoxville, TN"! We took pictures of each other and exchanged email addresses. Set up camp at the Powell Junction ranger station at the forest campground along the Lachsa River. Decided that I deserved a good meal so I ate at the Lachsa Lodge. Enjoyed my salmon dinner, baked potato, salad, bread, and a moose "drool" beer (a good dark beer). Went to bed at 7:30.

Day 19 - 69 Miles to Wild Goose

Friday, June 13 - made it to Wild Goose. Total miles 1,064. Awoke to clear weather - finally! Not a cloud in the sky. I immediately began a major climb of 2,200 feet with temperatures rising in the 70's. What a day! Went over the White Bird pass, a major pass. Met more cyclists including 3 Tulane medical students and an adventurous rider pedaling to Canada from Sacramento to start a bicycle race to Mexico along the Continental Divide! Can you imagine that?!!! The beauty and grandeur continue to unfold as the adventure continues. Set up camp at the Wild Goose forest service campground. A persistent chipmonk was trying to get in the panniers (bike bags) looking for food. Maybe he likes raw ramen noodles? Today (Saturday), the stretch I'm biking has no services for over 60 miles. Must make sure to have plenty of water.

Day 18 - 61 Miles to White Bird

Thursday, June 12 - biked 61 miles to White Bird (pop. 106), 995 total miles. 6:40 a.m. I was at the restaurant ready to eat. No one there to serve me coffee but other patrons said, “just help yourself” which I did. When it was time for refills, I played waiter and served everyone coffee. The cooks were in the kitchen, the café didn’t serve until 7:00. I ordered 2 pancakes and eggs, then received – what’s getting to be a trend - the “pancake warning,” (to alert me on pancake size). I said, “bring it on!” The local doctor (who was eating) commented that it was raining. My bike was soaking wet (the seat wasn’t covered). The clouds were low and gray. The rain stopped, still a cloud cover in the mountain. It was a peaceful morning, beautiful and tranquil in the mountain valley. It’s my first day without any climbs. Saw geese, ducks, deer, and wildflowers. The Salmon River was a nice, placid, peaceful river earlier in the day; later on raging water plummeted down a deep gorge cascading down the mountain. Talked to a cyclist biking the opposite direction from Cohasset, MN (different state, Julia) who wasn’t taking any days off. Stocked up on bananas, apples, bing cherries, chocolate chip cookies, and a huckleberry lemonade from the Fiddle Creek Fruit Stand. Morning snack was a raisin roll dipped in peanut butter, the delicious lemonade, a cookie, and apple. The sun just started coming out – it felt so good to soak it up. Long sleeves came off & it was great. Crossed the Salmon River (Pacific time which I left 2 days ago) and set up camp at an RV park by the river. It has trees for shade, grass, nice clean facility, showers, laundry is done. Bright, sunny, puffy clouds in late afternoon. It’s peaceful and quiet. Time for dinner. Tomorrow is the big climb.

Day 17 - 46 Miles to New Meadows

Wednesday, June 11 - biked 46 miles, 934 total miles. Breakfast at Bucky’s Cafe – one pancake and a big bowl of oatmeal with raisins and brown sugar and it was good! Ate with Willard and his sons, Dillon and Ryan, who are cycling to the East coast but they’re on a very tight schedule. On the subject of wildlife, I forgot to mention yesterday, a hummingbird flew up to my face at 3,000 feet in the freezing cold rain on the way out of “Hell.” Saw deer, killdeer (a bird), and ducks. Snacked on a roll with peanut butter and an apple but had no lunch. I did not go as far today as planned but that’s okay. There’s always tomorrow, right? Ate an early dinner at Sagebrush Barbeque – beef brisket, coleslaw, potato salad, baked beans, and a big old piece of cornbread, and a Canadian beer. I did not have dessert but did stock up on 4 candy bars from the store. Staying in a motel again (2 nights in a row!) in New Meadows (elevation 4,000, pop. 470). Some ski slopes reopened since there’s 7” of new snow just 200 ft. higher up. It’s June 11! Big news! The sun broke out as I finished dinner, cold air is moving out, and it may be 70 tomorrow and 87 on Saturday. Bring on the warm weather (probably I’ll start complaining about the heat)! I’ll travel on Rte. 95 in the morning heading north.

The Scenic Way

The Way to Hells Canyon

Where Does It End?

Tom and His Bike

Let's Go Rocking! - Mitchell, OR (pop. 130)

Morning Coffee Time

My Tent and My Bike

Beautiful Snow-Capped Mountains

Typical View of Oregon Coast

Tom Dipping in Pacific Ocean at Start

Day 16 - 69 Miles to Cambridge, Idaho

Tuesday, June 10 - biked 69 miles, 888 total miles. Breakfast was at a café and I was hungry – pancakes, eggs, bacon, hash browns, and coffee (shhh, don’t tell my doctor). It was hell today, Hell’s Canyon to be exact! I wandered about Hell’s Canyon most of the day including a premature entry into Idaho at 11:30 (official entry at 1:30, good-bye Oregon!) & a climb along the Snake River before stopping a motorist to find I was on the wrong route. It cost me an extra climb and 2 miles of cycling. Good thing I asked as it was a dead end some 10 miles down the road. Not much wildlife as the animals were hunkered down from the cold but saw deer and sea gulls. Snacked on a bagel with peanut butter, snickers, and a banana. Getting out of “Hell,” had a long climb, 11 miles of headwind in granny gear (low gears). Had a good day overall, but a tough afternoon. It was freezing over & the temp kept dropping (41o @ 25 mph = brrrrrrrrrrr). I was shaking from the cold coming down the mountain, so camping was not in my plan. Found a room at the Frontier Motel on Rte. 71 in Cambridge (pop. 360) where I shaved and had a long, hot shower (it’s been several days since I had one). Dinner was at Miss G’s – sirloin steak (ymmmm), baked potato, 2 trips to the salad bar, and a huge piece of chocolate cream pie. It’s 45o and falling, going to be a cold night. Weather dependent, I’ll head out on Rte. 95 in the morning. Pray for a tail wind!

Day 15 - 60 Miles to Richland

Monday, June 9 - biked 60 miles, 819 total miles. 18 miles after leaving camp, stopped for 3 hours in Baker City to replace my rear brakes which were worn down, bought spare front and rear brakes, visited the library, stocked up on groceries, and ate Mexican for lunch - chicken burrito, Mexican fries, and a coke (the 1st coke classic I’ve had in 4-5 mos.) There are massive snow-capped peaks all around, so beautiful. I noticed a striking difference in the surroundings once leaving Baker City leaving trees behind and seeing vast hills, sagebrush, grass, and huge, scattered ranches. Saw lots of wildlife: cows, horses, prairie dogs, ducks, osprey, orange and black birds (not sure what it was), deer. The funniest was a doe in the middle of the road leaping and bounding up a rock face which I would’ve needed a rope to climb as it was very steep. It rained in the afternoon, light showers. Followed the Powder River on Rte. 86 to Richland (pop.152) and set up camp at Eagle Range Community Park. My dinner was more of the same, Oriental ramen noodles and salmon. I can't wait until Yellowstone so I can stop eating ramen noodles for a few weeks! Met three cyclists at my campground who are also heading to Yorktown but they are on a tight schedule. I should leave Oregon behind tomorrow.

Day 14 - 61 Miles Near Baker City

Sunday, June 8 - biked 61 miles, 759 total miles. Started the day with oatmeal and a banana for breakfast. Thanks again to the Cosgroves for hosting me overnight and for the meals. Cycled some miles and then had a second breakfast of a short stack of pancakes (size of a football) and scrambled eggs. The waiter didn't expect me to eat it all but I showed him! Lunch was a hard roll with peanut butter. Traveled on Rte. 26 to Rte. 7 and went over 3 significant mountain passes. The trend is as each time I go over a pass, the mean elevation is higher. It’s sunny, about 65o, and puffy clouds. Saw several osprey and purple wildflowers, either orchids or irises. Set up camp next to a mountain stream in Union Creek Campground in Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. As I’m about 18 miles outside of Baker City and my brakes are worn out, I plan to find a bike shop tomorrow morning in Baker City. So I’ll take a break for the brakes!

Day 13 - 69 Miles to John Day

Biked 69 miles on Saturday for 698 total miles to date. Sunny all day with white puffy clouds. My day began with a 7 mile steep uphill climb on Rte. 26 from the campground; rest of the way was flat. Many picture opportunities out here. My nose is rough, need to coat it with zinc oxide. Lots of wildlife – 5 deer in a field (3 with antlers in velvet), hawks, swallows, & ravens. In Mt. Vernon, someone said there was a church in John Day so I cycled 6 miles and knocked on the rectory door startling Fr. Bartholomew, a Nigerian priest who had only been there a week. (He knows my church’s former associate, Fr. Bede, they’re from the same tribe.) He asked why I was biking, was it for exercise? So I went to Mass at St. Elizabeth of Hungary and was invited to stay with Mike, Sophie, and Dan Cosgrove in their spare room. Their hospitality was much appreciated! They fed me lentil soup, salad, and dessert, much tastier than the ramen noodles I’ve been eating. John Day (pop.1,821) is surrounded by Strawberry Mts. to the south and Blue Mts. to the north. Saw a gorgeous gorge, fossil creek, mesas, and buttes. It’s down to freezing tonight but I’ll be cozy!

Day 12 - 90 Miles to Mitchell

Friday, June 6. 90 miles today, trip mileage is 629 miles. Left Sisters at 8:30 with the sun shining and cruising at 20-25 mph for the 1st 19 miles to Redmond (the topography remind me of Stephenville, TX where my mother and 2 sisters live) where I ate a McGriddle, parfait, orange juice, and coffee. Had a tailwind and flat roads for 51 miles. It was snowing & sleeting in the Ochocho Summit pass (elevation 4,720 ft.) but it was a more gradual approach than the Santiam Pass from a few days ago. This is what I dream about for touring! Close to top of Ochocho, stopped to talk with 3 students & their instructor from Mt. Bachelor Academy. We chatted about my Ironman Triathlon & my touring plans. I was cruising and climbing with the last 16 miles downhill. Saw lots of wildlife - a herd of reindeer, prairie dogs, ravens, mallard ducks (one flew near my side for about 20 seconds), hawks, and blue herons. The mesas and buttes are "butteeful," gorgeous. Met 3 bikers and a support car carrying their gear who were impressed with me biking 90 miles carrying my own gear. Always little surprises along the way. Camping at the city park in Mitchell (pop. 190) eating my favorite dinner, cajun ramen noodles, a package of chicken, and hot chocolate, courtesy of fellow campers. Treated myself to a dark chocolate dove bar.

Santiam Pass on Way to Sisters

Day 11 - Rest Day in Sisters

Thursday, June 5, was my rest day - off the bike, that is. Did laundry, visited the library and downloaded a bunch of pictures to Kathy (finally!), and bought a new pair of biking shorts. The oldest pair, which had very little padding left in them, were thrown in the trash. It was an interesting day as I met 4 cyclists - 2 British guys (Andy and David) going from East to West, a German fellow (reminded me of a cartoon character), and Lucas Kirby, who I've been trying to find since I heard about him over a week ago. Lucas lives in the state of Washington and is biking in my direction, West to East. We shared tales of our separate journeys and adventures and plan to have dinner together plus he offered to let me stay in his room at the Best Western in Sisters. Saw wildlife today - llamas! It's back on the road tomorrow for me heading towards Redmond, Prineville, and Ochoco Summit.

Day 10 - 50 Miles to Sisters

Dawn beckoned with clear skies and a warm and sunny day. Not hardly. It was so cold last night, it rained, and rained, and rained. Did I mention that it rained? It was awful. It was in the 40's all day long. It was snowing earlier, and also sleet. Had oatmeal, coffee, and a pop tart for breakfast and broke camp in the rain. It rained a good part of the morning, no tail winds, and it was freezing. Today's 50 miles to Sisters via Santiam Pass were tough miles, wore me down. It was so lush before the pass which became barren lava fields once I made it through the pass. Trip mileage is 539 miles. Didn't see any wildlife. The mountain peaks are covered with snow, just beautiful. I booked a room at Sisters Motor Lodge, an historic, quaint motel. Ate a burger, salad, and had a free beer (using a coupon) at Bronco Billy's for dinner. My pad seems to be deflated but I can't find the leak. I also cut my finger on a bungee cord this morning. I am tired and worn out. I think that tomorrow may be a day of rest, doing laundry, shopping at the bike store, and visiting the library. Yeah, I know you want to see pictures. Just be patient!

Day 9 - 60 Miles to McKenzie Bridge

Tuesday, June 3, began in the rain. It had rained all night long at my campsite by the truck stop and continued into the afternoon 'til about 2:00. Temperature is in the 50's. It was so hard to see that I had to really concentrate watching the white center line the whole time. Trip mileage is 489 miles. Ate a hotdog, snickers, hot cocoa, and a cappuccino in a bottle for lunch. I arrived at Paradise Campground after biking 60 miles, 50 of it climbing gradually. There are 2 other campers here in Paradise. The McKenzie River is one, amazing, fast, swift river. There are canvas-back ducks in the river. Enormous trees at least 200 feet tall hover above. Dinner was ramen noodles and package of salmon. Oh, for some good home cooking! I'm snacking on a chocolate chip cookie and hot tea. It was great to be out of Eugene and away from its traffic. Today is the first day it felt like I was trekking across America and back to nature.

Day 8 - 55 Miles to Coburg

Today is Monday. Made it to my campsite in Coburg (pop. 969) near I.5 after biking 16 miles in Eugene ("big city") traffic not at all like Corvallis which was a very biker friendly city with numerous bikes on the road. Total miles biked are 429. Went to 8 a.m. Mass at St. Mary's and had a McGriddle egg and sausage breakfast before departing. Bought a big tube (should last the whole trip) of chamois butt'r, an ointment to prevent chafing, a biker's worst nightmare if uncontrolled. Had sunshine in the morning, clouds and a light sprinkle in the afternoon. It's a beautiful, fertile area with agriculture, wheat, and strawberries. Not much wildlife today, just some ducks and dead raccoons. Snacked on an "out of the world" mocha milkshake. Boy was it good! Dinner was boring, just a package of chicken and good ole ramen noodles and a chocolate chip cookie bought at the milkshake stand. Tomorrow I plan to take Rte. 126 on the way to McKenzie Bridge. Time to do my laundry so I can get to bed early!

Day 7 - 51 Miles to Corvallis

Sunday, June 1, I left the motel at 11:00 checkout for a light day's ride but didn't find a campsite until 51 miles later. Trip mileage so far is 374. Want to say that this area is an extremely bike friendly area with bike lanes and bikers. Temperature 48-50 in the morning and low 60's later on, lots of clouds and a little mist. Wasn't planning on buying lunch but I stopped at a flea market and for $5 had a Polish sausage with sauerkraut, onions, chips, and gatorade. Don't tell my doctor! I saw more wildlife - geese, alpaca (similar to llama with fine expensive wool, saw them twice today), stellar jay, ground squirrels, and 3 dead deer. Finally found a campsite at Benton County RV & Camping. A man, Mike, who was emptying his RV tank at the campground, invited me to dinner at his nearby house (after checking with his wife, Suzanne, first, of course.) Their kids are Spencer (4) and Hannah and Kate (2 yr. old twins). I enjoyed chicken enchiladas and guacamole sauce and didn't need to eat Ramen noodles again although they wouldn't have been cold as the stove is fixed. Talked with my son Chris who finished 76th overall in the Ironman 70.3 Boise (Idaho) with a time of 4:46:49 - 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, and 13.1 mile run. Great race, Chris! I plan to head towards Eugene tomorrow.

Day 6 - 45 Miles to Salem

323 total miles since starting! Made it to the big city of Salem on Saturday. Bought the part to fix my stove, a new cell phone (yeah!), a bright strobe light so I can be seen on the road and in scary tunnels, and groceries. Got a motel room in the afternoon, did laundry (it reeked!), and showered. It felt so good to be clean. Walked to Mass at St. Joseph which had 3 nationalities of priests - one from Viet Nam, Mexican, and African American. Also enjoyed a salmon dinner in a restaurant. Forgot to mention the other nite there was no place to eat at the Indian reservation and no way to heat up my water so I had Ramen noodles in cold water and a package of tuna. Hey, you do what you have to do to eat! I've taken loads of beautiful pictures but incompatible or slow computers, limited internet time, and my limited expertise (where's Chris to help his Dad?!) have not helped. Don't worry, I'll get some downloaded one of these days. My plan is to check out of the motel on Sunday morning and bike a short distance to a campground.