Oregon … June … supposed to be summer. This sure ain’t summer by my way of thinking.
It is around 8:00 A.M. June 9 … 39 degrees and a slight breeze (wind chill?) from the west. Sitting in my tent (walls have zero insulation value) … damn cold. It is supposed to be warmer later this morning, so planning to wait out the cold before heading out on the road.
The last three days have followed a general theme … ride in mostly rainy weather, then camp in cold and wet surroundings. The first day out of Sisters took us to a very nice county campground east of Prineville.. This 45 mile day was partly a nice day as there were few wet miles, but it was the first day of riding in shorts and shirt sleeves in quite some time. The rains did come that evening. The following morning found Roger, Andrew and I “lounging” in the bathroom. Lest you think we were lurking, allow me to explain. It was cold and wet (per usual) outside, but the spacious bathroom was heated and had a wall-mounted hand drier. While Andrew dried clothes at the wall-mounted hand drier, while I read, and while Roger ate breakfast, we all enjoyed the warmth. Fortunately there were very few people at the campsite, so no one ventured in to use the facilities while we were there.
The next day’s ride (42 miles) brought us to the lovely urban center of Mitchell. The camping in the City Park is free, so one cannot complain about the facilities. That day’s ride took us up on to the Ochoco prairie area. Stunning views … if only the sun had been shining. Once again, rain and cold. The (only) bright spot in Mitchell is a two-booth, eight-stool café on the west edge of town … understand that this urban metropolis area is maybe two blocks long.
Inside the white building, with blue trim at windows, is the nicest owner/waitress/cook one could ever have the good fortune to meet. Four summers ago when I came through Mitchell on my first bike tour, I stopped in there for breakfast. After ordering oatmeal, she asked if I was in a hurry. She then said she did not have oatmeal, but could send her granddaughter up to her home to get the oatmeal. The food is simple, good and the charm of the lady (Sharron, I think) is immense.
Yesterday, our ride of 64 miles was very interesting. Directly out of Mitchell is a seven mile, 1300’ climb. Leaving Mitchell under blue skies, I was wearing shorts and a long sleeve jersey. About four miles up, a cold front brought chilly weather, rain and sleet. At least it also brought a tailwind, so there was an iota of “silver-lining”. Upon reaching the summit, we enjoyed a delightfully long downhill taking us into Dayville. Between the summit and Dayville was some of the most incredible scenery imaginable. This is the stretch of road that includes one of those joyful oddities of the road … a dead tree covered with shoes. There are shoes of every size and style, draped over the dead limbs. I would include a picture, but I do not think Roger would appreciate showing him up in the tree trying on shoes. The last twenty miles into the State Campground east of Mount Vernon was a delight … warm enough for shorts … strong tailwind. Pure joy!
But there is no joy in awaking to 39 degree weather
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