On a day like today, there are visuals that catch your eye and make you want to stop and just enjoy the beauty of it all. Varying shades of greens of lush fields versus the tall stands of forest trees ... wispy white clouds floating amongst the trees. Grey river water bubbling over dark brown boulders. Quite beautiful.
On a day like today, it is also one of the most miserable of experiences ... riding all day in the rain. While there is a certain joy in the solitude, there is constant cold and dampness inside the rain jacket and pants. Cold and wet that just does not go away.
On a day like this, there is very little joy.
Four summers ago I rode through this same McKenzie River Valley ... it was a beautiful warm day. Thus, very fond memories. One of the fond memories was stopping at the Takoda's restaurant near the McKenzie River Bridge on Oregon Route 126. Well into today's ride of 54 miles I was hoping to find that restaurant around each and every bend in the road. Finally ... finally the structure came into view. As an added plus, parked in front of the familiar structure was Frank's bike. We talked of the day's events (Frank and Roger took the day off at a nearby Forest Service campground). Frank had spent a good part of the day inside this restaurant reading and keeping warm and dry.
After consuming great amounts of hot coffee and a reasonably good sandwich, I headed for the campground only to find myself in one of the heaviest downpours and strongest windstorms I have experienced on any of my past summer bike treks. Whereas I had pretty much dried out at the restaurant, I was now completely soaked, cold ... and in no mood to camp.
I am now sitting in a small way-side motel, dry and warm ... outside it is still raining and the temperature is around 40 degrees ... this is where joy is.
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