Two weeks gone.
It has been fourteen days since I started this cross country bike ride haven ridden on eleven of those. As I write this I am in Baker City in eastern Oregon on a rest day. I have traveled a little over 600 miles so far. I am overwhelmed by so many things on the trip.
Every corner you turn the views are more spectacular every corner that you take. What a change of scenery it has been. Started along in a coastal rain forest with stunning climbs and equally impressive coastal cliffs with ocean views. After 3 short days along the coast the route turned inland and wound it's way through and old growth forest torwards the Willimet River Valley. Quickly the environment changed from rain forest to a wide valley floor with farms, both livestock and agricultural farming, with a dominance on grasses. After a climbing and descending a small ridgeline I was now in the McKenzie River Valley. Very green and lush. Moss growing thick on all the trees, back into the rain forest. The climb out of the McKenzie River valley was steep and long with snow covered peaks in the distance. The other side of the Cascade Mountains the scenery once again changed. Dry, arid terrain with scrub pines, pitch pines and sagebrush everywhere. It reminded me of the mountains outside of Vegas. Wide valleys, wet in the bottom land with buttes and hills with few trees and white mountain views in the distance. The farther east I travel the dryer it becomes.
The friendliness, kindness and generosity of the people I have meet is beyond belief. The examples are endless.
I have walked into 2 bike shops here with problems, everything else was dropped and my needs were attended to. You wouldn't find that in Connecticut.
I was told to buy my supplies in the town before the next campsite because another was not available on route. Low and behold if this little store in eastern Oregon wasn't closed on Sunday. I forged ahead and eat at a small tavern just before the campground and hoped to snack on what I had in my bags. I was still in the process of setting up camp when I was approached by a neighboring camper. He said you must be tired and hungry, dinner is in 20 minutes come on down. Here I went from thinking about some mixed nuts to snack on to having grilled asparagus, chicken, quinoa and a green salad. I have to thank Jim and his wife CC from Spokane Washington for dinner.
A regular stop for cyclist on the route is the Spoken' Hostel in Mitchell. This is a converted church that now sleeps upward of 30 people with a kitchen and common areas, bike wash and work stations and some of the nicest people I have meet. Almost didn't want to leave, some don't. One couple working there enjoyed there time there that they have come back this summer to volunteer there time for 6 weeks to help run the place.
The following night I stayed the Dayville Community Church. The church throws there doors open to cyclist. Warm showers, a well stocked kitchen,wifi and room to throw your sleeping bag anywhere.
I meet a very nice couple from Kanas City, Missouri at the Spoken' Hostel, Larry and his wife Debi. Larry is riding the Trans Am as Debi follows along with their RV. I continue to see there friendly smiling, encouraging faces along the route. It is nice when you are struggling up hill to her an encouraging word from a passing Larry (he is riding unloaded). If Kathy and I ever go visit Matt in KC we will have to look them up.
From here in a day and a half I will be in Idaho for about a week then on to Missoula.
Every corner you turn the views are more spectacular every corner that you take. What a change of scenery it has been. Started along in a coastal rain forest with stunning climbs and equally impressive coastal cliffs with ocean views. After 3 short days along the coast the route turned inland and wound it's way through and old growth forest torwards the Willimet River Valley. Quickly the environment changed from rain forest to a wide valley floor with farms, both livestock and agricultural farming, with a dominance on grasses. After a climbing and descending a small ridgeline I was now in the McKenzie River Valley. Very green and lush. Moss growing thick on all the trees, back into the rain forest. The climb out of the McKenzie River valley was steep and long with snow covered peaks in the distance. The other side of the Cascade Mountains the scenery once again changed. Dry, arid terrain with scrub pines, pitch pines and sagebrush everywhere. It reminded me of the mountains outside of Vegas. Wide valleys, wet in the bottom land with buttes and hills with few trees and white mountain views in the distance. The farther east I travel the dryer it becomes.
The friendliness, kindness and generosity of the people I have meet is beyond belief. The examples are endless.
I have walked into 2 bike shops here with problems, everything else was dropped and my needs were attended to. You wouldn't find that in Connecticut.
I was told to buy my supplies in the town before the next campsite because another was not available on route. Low and behold if this little store in eastern Oregon wasn't closed on Sunday. I forged ahead and eat at a small tavern just before the campground and hoped to snack on what I had in my bags. I was still in the process of setting up camp when I was approached by a neighboring camper. He said you must be tired and hungry, dinner is in 20 minutes come on down. Here I went from thinking about some mixed nuts to snack on to having grilled asparagus, chicken, quinoa and a green salad. I have to thank Jim and his wife CC from Spokane Washington for dinner.
A regular stop for cyclist on the route is the Spoken' Hostel in Mitchell. This is a converted church that now sleeps upward of 30 people with a kitchen and common areas, bike wash and work stations and some of the nicest people I have meet. Almost didn't want to leave, some don't. One couple working there enjoyed there time there that they have come back this summer to volunteer there time for 6 weeks to help run the place.
The following night I stayed the Dayville Community Church. The church throws there doors open to cyclist. Warm showers, a well stocked kitchen,wifi and room to throw your sleeping bag anywhere.
I meet a very nice couple from Kanas City, Missouri at the Spoken' Hostel, Larry and his wife Debi. Larry is riding the Trans Am as Debi follows along with their RV. I continue to see there friendly smiling, encouraging faces along the route. It is nice when you are struggling up hill to her an encouraging word from a passing Larry (he is riding unloaded). If Kathy and I ever go visit Matt in KC we will have to look them up.
From here in a day and a half I will be in Idaho for about a week then on to Missoula.
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