May 31
Our first sunny day!!!! It was amazing to wake up to blue skies today...we were all in good moods and excited to begin the day. We left GRANGEVILLE, ID around 8am and have gone 22 miles to the little town of STITES. A colorful and welcoming coffee house beckoned us to take a little break, hence a few moments to post a couple (older) pix and write a quick note.
Part of the reason we haven't been able to post many pix is that nobody has their usb cords and we need to find computers where we can use memory cards. We'll soon bombard you all with a picture show of our journey. We anticipate arriving in Missoula on Monday or Tuesday at the latest.
Anybody know anyone who'd take us in or let us camp in their yard??????
The scenery has been nothing short of stunning throughout this trip. Even when we were suffering through downpours, we tried to take a few moments to appreciate our surroundings. And then, of course, we went back to cursing the weather! Taking the time and effort to see our country by bicycle has been such a rewarding experience so far! It's the many little things that lend to a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction at the end of the day. Climbing that super tough hill, hearing the birds sing to us all along our journey, finding miles of smooth roads with decent shoulders, the scent of sagebrush after (or during!) the rains......
On that note, we're motivating to continue on and take advantage of the great weather today!
Amy
pix from Sisters courtesy of Dave Beyerlein-thank you!
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Soggy
May 28
Happy Birthday, Dad!
Friends & Family....we apologize for our lack of updates as of late! We've had very limited, if any, internet access. When we did have access, it was dial-up and we didn't have time to post pictures. I'm at the library in New Meadows, ID and the other three are checking into a hotel. Yes, a hotel. The streets are practically flooded and we are NOT camping in this nonsense tonight. Especially when Danielle was unlucky enough to have two flats today...in the downpour. We are treating ourselves to a warm hotel, a hot shower, heaps of fried food and, most likely, multiple beers!
So, to backtrack and try to remember where we've been since the last posting.....
We left off in DAYVILLE after a pleasant stay in a very nice community. The play to which we were invited was fun and it supported the high school kids' upcoming trip to NY. Good deal for everyone! The title of the play was Bridal Terrorism. In the morning the church people made us a tasty breakfast of coffee, pancakes and eggs!
We left DAYVILLE and traveled onward to PRAIRIE CITY, though our goal was to go a bit further. Sadly, we met up with our not-so-good friend, the rain. We parked ourselves at the Branding Iron Saloon and had a couple PBR's (for those of you not familiar, Pabst Blue Ribbon beer....hey, it was $2 on tap so who could resist?) We decided, as it continued to rain and we continued to enjoy being inside and warm, that we'd go no further that evening. We found a place that had a covered picnic area so at least we could pitch our tents in a dry area. After dinner we went back to the saloon for some night life and encountered a friendly fellow who insisted that the next day we make a side trip to SUMPTER to see a dredge and some other stuff I can't remember because I was completely uninterested. We tried to explain to this guy that, since we cut our day short, the next day would be a killer. We'd have to summit three passes in order to make our goal. I'm not sure why he thought a six-mile roundtrip side trip would be a good idea????
The next morning we awoke to clouds but no rain. We packed up, grabbed coffee and food and hit it. We were all mentally prepared for the passes but it was still a big challenging day. And, believe it or not, we got rained on again! Not until the last pass, fortunately. BAKER CITY was the end of the line for that day and, happily, the weather improved as we descended into town. We had hot showers and Danielle made a scrumptious meal of pierogies and veggies for dinner. After 71 miles we needed it! Thanks Danielle!
Next day....BAKER CITY to HALFWAY. Easy first two thirds of the day and then the last third thrashed us with a neverending six-mile climb. The bummer about this climb compared to the climbing of the three passes is that the road was not curvy so we could see the top and how slowly we were reaching it! Gift was hit with a flat on this day. The descent into Halfway was gorgeous. All the scenery so far has been gorgeous! This is the time of year for lovely displays of wildflowers and hopefully we'll share some pictures soon.
The library is closing in ten minutes and there is much more to tell about the last few days. Again, sorry to be sporadic and to not have pix posted yet. We'll be in Missoula in less than a week and, if we don't get a chance before then, we'll do some serious posting there! Until then, thanks for reading....thanks for all your support! PLEASE cross fingers and toes for some dry days!!!
all the best from all of us!
amy
Happy Birthday, Dad!
Friends & Family....we apologize for our lack of updates as of late! We've had very limited, if any, internet access. When we did have access, it was dial-up and we didn't have time to post pictures. I'm at the library in New Meadows, ID and the other three are checking into a hotel. Yes, a hotel. The streets are practically flooded and we are NOT camping in this nonsense tonight. Especially when Danielle was unlucky enough to have two flats today...in the downpour. We are treating ourselves to a warm hotel, a hot shower, heaps of fried food and, most likely, multiple beers!
So, to backtrack and try to remember where we've been since the last posting.....
We left off in DAYVILLE after a pleasant stay in a very nice community. The play to which we were invited was fun and it supported the high school kids' upcoming trip to NY. Good deal for everyone! The title of the play was Bridal Terrorism. In the morning the church people made us a tasty breakfast of coffee, pancakes and eggs!
We left DAYVILLE and traveled onward to PRAIRIE CITY, though our goal was to go a bit further. Sadly, we met up with our not-so-good friend, the rain. We parked ourselves at the Branding Iron Saloon and had a couple PBR's (for those of you not familiar, Pabst Blue Ribbon beer....hey, it was $2 on tap so who could resist?) We decided, as it continued to rain and we continued to enjoy being inside and warm, that we'd go no further that evening. We found a place that had a covered picnic area so at least we could pitch our tents in a dry area. After dinner we went back to the saloon for some night life and encountered a friendly fellow who insisted that the next day we make a side trip to SUMPTER to see a dredge and some other stuff I can't remember because I was completely uninterested. We tried to explain to this guy that, since we cut our day short, the next day would be a killer. We'd have to summit three passes in order to make our goal. I'm not sure why he thought a six-mile roundtrip side trip would be a good idea????
The next morning we awoke to clouds but no rain. We packed up, grabbed coffee and food and hit it. We were all mentally prepared for the passes but it was still a big challenging day. And, believe it or not, we got rained on again! Not until the last pass, fortunately. BAKER CITY was the end of the line for that day and, happily, the weather improved as we descended into town. We had hot showers and Danielle made a scrumptious meal of pierogies and veggies for dinner. After 71 miles we needed it! Thanks Danielle!
Next day....BAKER CITY to HALFWAY. Easy first two thirds of the day and then the last third thrashed us with a neverending six-mile climb. The bummer about this climb compared to the climbing of the three passes is that the road was not curvy so we could see the top and how slowly we were reaching it! Gift was hit with a flat on this day. The descent into Halfway was gorgeous. All the scenery so far has been gorgeous! This is the time of year for lovely displays of wildflowers and hopefully we'll share some pictures soon.
The library is closing in ten minutes and there is much more to tell about the last few days. Again, sorry to be sporadic and to not have pix posted yet. We'll be in Missoula in less than a week and, if we don't get a chance before then, we'll do some serious posting there! Until then, thanks for reading....thanks for all your support! PLEASE cross fingers and toes for some dry days!!!
all the best from all of us!
amy
Friday, May 23, 2008
A Big Thank You!!!
There have been lots of people who have helped the four of us make this trip happen. We would like to regonize all of you for being such wonderful friends and family.
The Kunze's..... Thanks so much for picking us up at the Airport and opening your home to us, AGAIN! We really do appreciate your kindness. (geoff and danielle)
Dan Yeck.... Thank you for picking me up at the airport despite numerous delays, giving me a place to crash, driving me from Spokane to Portland to pick up my friends and driving us all down to Florence. Not to mention your master bicycle repair skills. Thanks from the 3 of us.
Dave & Kelly.... Thank you for picking us up in Sisters, making us an amazingly delectable dinner and dessert... and of course dropping us back off. Dave, we loved our massages and that you dug out your table to treat us to your magical hands.
Dave & Brenda.... Thank you for your wonderful hospitality and kindness. It was a nice break to have a warm shower and a place to sleep after a few nights camping. We know you were just moving in and it was cool of you to let us show up at such a time.
Joe "Muscles" Beyerlein.... Thanks for the gourmet breakfast and for camping out with us. Thanks for wearing the sleeveless shirt and spending time with us. We missed you! Wish you could have joined us.
Alvina... Thanks for bringing us to the airport and always being on call when we need you. Our flight was delayed and it was sweet of you to spend those extra hours with us.
Thanks to all of our family and friends for your support. We appreciate your couches, your beds, your floors, your decks... and of course your food and your beer!
The Kunze's..... Thanks so much for picking us up at the Airport and opening your home to us, AGAIN! We really do appreciate your kindness. (geoff and danielle)
Dan Yeck.... Thank you for picking me up at the airport despite numerous delays, giving me a place to crash, driving me from Spokane to Portland to pick up my friends and driving us all down to Florence. Not to mention your master bicycle repair skills. Thanks from the 3 of us.
Dave & Kelly.... Thank you for picking us up in Sisters, making us an amazingly delectable dinner and dessert... and of course dropping us back off. Dave, we loved our massages and that you dug out your table to treat us to your magical hands.
Dave & Brenda.... Thank you for your wonderful hospitality and kindness. It was a nice break to have a warm shower and a place to sleep after a few nights camping. We know you were just moving in and it was cool of you to let us show up at such a time.
Joe "Muscles" Beyerlein.... Thanks for the gourmet breakfast and for camping out with us. Thanks for wearing the sleeveless shirt and spending time with us. We missed you! Wish you could have joined us.
Alvina... Thanks for bringing us to the airport and always being on call when we need you. Our flight was delayed and it was sweet of you to spend those extra hours with us.
Thanks to all of our family and friends for your support. We appreciate your couches, your beds, your floors, your decks... and of course your food and your beer!
Church Mice
So......to complete a thought from yesterday....YES, the Oregon Hotel in Mitchell is haunted. We learned from one of the owners-Hugh-that a young boy and girl were drowned by their mother in the hotel bathtub. Little Patty's spirit has been sighted by Hugh and we believe that, last night while we slumbered, she snatched a pair of Gift's smartwool socks. Naughty Patty!
We all had a mellow last night in Mitchell, eating, drinking tea and reading. Luckily Geoff began to feel much better and we planned that we'd ride this morning. Unluckily, we awoke to rain. We had some breakfast and gave some serious thought as to what we'd do. Around 9:30 we decided to saddle up and tough it out! We said our goodbyes to our friendly hosts and to the unseen spirits and started the six mile climb out of Mitchell. The climb was the only thing keeping us somewhat warm. There was snow at the top of the pass and the descent was bitter cold. But, hey, we've all worked in Antarctica so what reason did we have to complain?!
We made it through and found much nicer weather in Dayville. After a hearty lunch we found our accomodation for the evening....the Presbyterian Church of Dayville. Here, we have internet access, a hot shower and a full kitchen in which we can cook. It's going to be nachos for dinner! We'll be camping out in the sanctuary tonight, hoping that we don't catch fire in our sleep.
Again, kind folks in small town America. We've been invited by at least ten citizens to the town play. On that note, it begins in 15 minutes so we better get moving! More to come.....
We all had a mellow last night in Mitchell, eating, drinking tea and reading. Luckily Geoff began to feel much better and we planned that we'd ride this morning. Unluckily, we awoke to rain. We had some breakfast and gave some serious thought as to what we'd do. Around 9:30 we decided to saddle up and tough it out! We said our goodbyes to our friendly hosts and to the unseen spirits and started the six mile climb out of Mitchell. The climb was the only thing keeping us somewhat warm. There was snow at the top of the pass and the descent was bitter cold. But, hey, we've all worked in Antarctica so what reason did we have to complain?!
We made it through and found much nicer weather in Dayville. After a hearty lunch we found our accomodation for the evening....the Presbyterian Church of Dayville. Here, we have internet access, a hot shower and a full kitchen in which we can cook. It's going to be nachos for dinner! We'll be camping out in the sanctuary tonight, hoping that we don't catch fire in our sleep.
Again, kind folks in small town America. We've been invited by at least ten citizens to the town play. On that note, it begins in 15 minutes so we better get moving! More to come.....
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Joining the group
Hello Friends & Family!
This note is coming to you from the K-12 school library in Mitchell, OR. It's a small (SMALL) town between the central and eastern parts of the state. Many of you know that I have embarked on a cycle tour with three friends I know from Antarctica. Geoff and Danielle Miller planned this trip while on the ice and Gift and I committed ourselves before the end of the season. The three of them began on the Oregon coast, at Florence, on May 15. They arrived in Bend several days later and, after sharing with them the joys of the numerous breweries in town, we set off together. G & D are riding to Maine, while Gift and I are going to bow out in Denver. G & D have succeeded at long cycle tours previously...Gift and I are freshmen. We'll make a good team with our various strengths, weaknesses and personalities.
On my first day we had fairly flat terrain....this was a blessing since I've never pulled a trailer and really haven't been spent much time cycling. Also, this was my first time clipping in to pedals. I was somewhat nervous because we had numerous miles with a fair amount of traffic. I only fell once and it was not while riding. It was at the end of the day and it was when I came to a stop and unclipped from one pedal. The weight of my trailer pulled my bike to the side before I could get the other foot unclipped and I tipped. I escaped with nothing more than a few scratches on my leg and elbow, and a bruise on my pride. We made 50 miles that day.
Day two was a more challenging day even though we rode fewer miles. 41 to be exact. We climbed a pass through the Ochocos (I didn't have to walk my bike!!!) and it was also quite cold and windy. On a positive note, I felt more comfortable on the bike and I didn't fall! Last night we decided to stop here in Mitchell. As the weather had deteriorated quite a bit, we opted to share a hotel room. The price was right when split between the four of us, and a hot shower after the cold day was a welcome treat. Unfortunately, Geoff started feeling less than topnotch last evening. He got worse throughout the night-maybe he's already sick of spending days and nights with three women?? We had a mellow morning today, waiting to see if he improved. By noon we decided not to ride today and to let him recuperate and hopefully be 100% for tomorrow.
In the meantime, the three of us chicas are exploring the sleepy town of Mitchell. So far we've found a caged bear named Henry, free expired cheese at the grocery, a hotel that I am certain is haunted....and really friendly folks. We could be delayed in worse places than this!
We are in the process of creating a blog and will give the site to you all as soon as we are organized. We hope to write at least once a week and post pictures of our adventures. With any luck, we'll have interesting and amusing stories to tell at all turns! As always, it's wonderful to hear from everyone when time allows!
From the road......happy summer to you all!
Amy
This note is coming to you from the K-12 school library in Mitchell, OR. It's a small (SMALL) town between the central and eastern parts of the state. Many of you know that I have embarked on a cycle tour with three friends I know from Antarctica. Geoff and Danielle Miller planned this trip while on the ice and Gift and I committed ourselves before the end of the season. The three of them began on the Oregon coast, at Florence, on May 15. They arrived in Bend several days later and, after sharing with them the joys of the numerous breweries in town, we set off together. G & D are riding to Maine, while Gift and I are going to bow out in Denver. G & D have succeeded at long cycle tours previously...Gift and I are freshmen. We'll make a good team with our various strengths, weaknesses and personalities.
On my first day we had fairly flat terrain....this was a blessing since I've never pulled a trailer and really haven't been spent much time cycling. Also, this was my first time clipping in to pedals. I was somewhat nervous because we had numerous miles with a fair amount of traffic. I only fell once and it was not while riding. It was at the end of the day and it was when I came to a stop and unclipped from one pedal. The weight of my trailer pulled my bike to the side before I could get the other foot unclipped and I tipped. I escaped with nothing more than a few scratches on my leg and elbow, and a bruise on my pride. We made 50 miles that day.
Day two was a more challenging day even though we rode fewer miles. 41 to be exact. We climbed a pass through the Ochocos (I didn't have to walk my bike!!!) and it was also quite cold and windy. On a positive note, I felt more comfortable on the bike and I didn't fall! Last night we decided to stop here in Mitchell. As the weather had deteriorated quite a bit, we opted to share a hotel room. The price was right when split between the four of us, and a hot shower after the cold day was a welcome treat. Unfortunately, Geoff started feeling less than topnotch last evening. He got worse throughout the night-maybe he's already sick of spending days and nights with three women?? We had a mellow morning today, waiting to see if he improved. By noon we decided not to ride today and to let him recuperate and hopefully be 100% for tomorrow.
In the meantime, the three of us chicas are exploring the sleepy town of Mitchell. So far we've found a caged bear named Henry, free expired cheese at the grocery, a hotel that I am certain is haunted....and really friendly folks. We could be delayed in worse places than this!
We are in the process of creating a blog and will give the site to you all as soon as we are organized. We hope to write at least once a week and post pictures of our adventures. With any luck, we'll have interesting and amusing stories to tell at all turns! As always, it's wonderful to hear from everyone when time allows!
From the road......happy summer to you all!
Amy
The West Coast
Our bike trip has begun....
We started our trip on the 15th of May in Florence, Oregon. Traditionally bicycle tourists who are crossing the United States dip their wheels in the ocean to begin and end their trips. So first thing in the morning Gift, Geoff and I went to the waters edge to get our wheels wet. Instead of a little dip a small wave came and we got a little wetter than needed.
The first three days proved to be hot and challenging. Gift and I each got a little dose of prickly heat... or heat rash. Although the third day cooled off a bit the terrain was the most difficult crossing the Cascade Range. The summit of the Santiam Pass had us climbing up to over 4,500 ft.
The ride downhill was a blast especially knowing we had cold micro brews (and root beer for Gift) awaiting us in Bend.
Will write more soon,
danielle
We started our trip on the 15th of May in Florence, Oregon. Traditionally bicycle tourists who are crossing the United States dip their wheels in the ocean to begin and end their trips. So first thing in the morning Gift, Geoff and I went to the waters edge to get our wheels wet. Instead of a little dip a small wave came and we got a little wetter than needed.
The first three days proved to be hot and challenging. Gift and I each got a little dose of prickly heat... or heat rash. Although the third day cooled off a bit the terrain was the most difficult crossing the Cascade Range. The summit of the Santiam Pass had us climbing up to over 4,500 ft.
The ride downhill was a blast especially knowing we had cold micro brews (and root beer for Gift) awaiting us in Bend.
Will write more soon,
danielle
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