Central and Eastern Oregon

If I was to use one word to describe Oregon...diverse. In the seven days since our last entry there's been drastic changes in both landscape and environment. After turning East, away from the wet coastal range, we dropped down into a two day ride across a huge, broad, flatish valley with grass and hay fields as far as the eye could see. After half a days rest and a great dinner in Coburg (thanks Vilma for the hospitality!) we began a gentle ascent up out of the high desert environment and into the welcoming shade of giant fragrant pines. Leading into our first major climb and pass of the trip. Up and over the Cascade range via McKenzie Pass. A 5,000' elevation gain over 22 miles.

The ride up took the better part of the day, but it was well worth the effort. Snow capped mountains made their appearance on the horizon half way into the climb, their beauty making things a bit easier, and the view from the top was amazing.

 

Many of the Cascades peaks...the Three Sisters, Mt. Jefferson, Bachelor, etc were in view. Also, near the summit we crossed the Pacific Crest Trail, which I hiked last summer.

 

Pretty cool feeling for two summers to intersect along the way. One on foot immersed in Nature, this time around by pedal through small town America.

After the summit we had a 15 mile speedy downhill cruise into the quaint town of Sisters and the best dinner and beers of the trip thusfar at Three Creeks Brewery.

After another half day rest in Redmond (thanks Jake and Ann!) we were headed up and over the Ochoco mountains, then down into and across more high desert landscape with huge rock formations and plateaus surrounding us. We paralleled a river the later part of the day which gave us a chance to cool off in the hot afternoon sun. We couldn't help but feel we were in Montana or Wyoming already and not Eastern Oregon.

 

 

 

Upon arriving in Dayville yesterday we found the church in town opens it's doors to bike travelers which means showers, a kitchen, Internet, a place to relax, a grocery store and park across the street, etc. As our knees have been a bit tired we've decided to take the day off and rest.

So that's where we're at...480 miles into the ride. Just two days left in Oregon, then on to Idaho. We've been meeting more and more touring cyclists along the way, a small handful riding the same route as us. Rode a couple days on and off with a recent college graduate Bill. Seems the rest were on more of a endurance ride with one hundred plus mile days. Anyways, every mile along the way has been beautiful and we're looking forward to what's yet to come.