East of the Cascades

It's 10AM in Redmond, a waystation to Ochoco Divide.

Tuesday (continued)
Camped in an RV Park adjacent to a truck stop: one night I fall asleep listening to the surf and a few days later it is to trucks running all night long.

Total moving time was 5:38 with the trip odometer showing 60.0 miles.

Wednesday
Moving time 5:39 with trip odometer showing 63 miles.

A pretty straightforward ride to McKenzie Bridge. I was nice to feel the warmth of the sun and the ride was relatively flat. The countryside is beautiful along the McKenzie River, perhaps the nicest of the trip barring some Pacific Coast vistas. I camped at an RV site: had the privledge of being the first cyclist allowed to do so. Unfortunately the tent area was directly under a floodlight.

Thursday
Moving time 6:01 with trip odometer showing 48.4 miles.

Today we climbed McKenzie Pass, all 5,324 feet. The road was steep with an unending series of switchback. It was also very beautiful. I had to rest a few times to recharge both my legs, heart, and psyche. I had almost taken the less steep albeit longer alternative, Santiam Pass, but figured it would be hard to live with my self if I didn't get on with it. It was worth the effort. The top of the pass is the site of a 1,500 year old lava crater and the pass offers views of the Twin Sisters and Mount Washington. The ride down, some ten miles, was fabulous.
The city of Twin Sisters as all about the weekend rodeo and everything was full including the city park. Lucky for me I met up with Jim Evered who, along with his wife Patty, makes a habit of hosting cross-country cyclists at his home. A cabin to sleep in, a shower, and a place to wash my clothes. Jim's brother cooked the lamb chops I bought while Jim plied me with local beer. It really was nice for me. Traveling alone can indeed be lonely. Best sleep of the trip.

Friday
Began at 8:00 at the Evered's and will travel to Ochoco Resevoir where I will tent up in anticipation of a morning climb of som 1,700 feet to Ochoco pass.