While taking the day off, I began thinking about all the silly and superfluous items (anything that weighs anything at all) that I could shed. Let’s see, do I need that extra 5 sets of clothing? How about those rocks my friend Karin so thoughtfully gifted me on day 3? Or hey, I haven’t used any of those tools so far, Elvis wouldn’t dare betray me would he? Do I really need shampoo – I mean come on, look at this mop – is shampoo going to fix this mess anytime soon? Holy cow, I’ll be practically biking naked from here on out. I feel so vulnerable, so unprepared, so….light! Eat your heart out, Jenny Craig!
The Postal Service informed me I was now 8 pounds lighter and relieved me of $17.32. A brilliant investment that I should have thought of much earlier. I think that many bicycle tourists wise up along the way, and I’m pleased to join the club.
Feeling a newfound lightness, and with fresh legs, Elvis sprung to life with catlike quickness. It’s amazing what a little regroup does for the body and spirit - I truly felt like a new man, at least for part of the day, anyway.
The ride out of Baker was nice, really sweet indeed. Not in a picturesque sense but in a kind of I’m-feeling-less-beaten-and-battered – kind of hopeful almost. My only reservation was if cold weather were to hit, I was going to be a frozen potato. And let’s not talk about the possibility of rain, it just isn’t going to strike.
[Above: Rolling out of Baker City - which object doesn't belong?]
[Above: It appears that I have extra energy today… ]
[Above: Clearly, there has to be a better place for this piece of junk.]
[Above: I've seen variations of this old bone ranch more than once. I like the minimalist symbolism.]
The ride today seemed like two different days; the first part was out of Baker City to Richland, along the Powder River. I was generally weaving along the canyon floor with a nice tailwind at my back, feeling like I was in the cockpit of an expensive sports car – fast, nimble, and stealthy. Yeeehaaa!! - this bike business is fun!!!
[Above: A bit bored at times, I figured a shadow wave was due – pretty dumb, in retrospect.]
[Above: a picturesque farm along the way.]
[Above: This chunk of land for sale, 368 Acres, $1.795M, and the kicker – the pasture and grazing land is currently leased at $15,000 – with one year yielding 200 tons of hay and grazing 100 head of cattle. Doesn’t seem to pencil out to me – I’ll keep saving for a better investment – like a boat.]
I rolled into Richland later than I expected. Because, frankly, I had left Baker City later than I planned. Go figure. You might be inclined to think that this was some rambling vacation without end. However, I wanted to press forward to Halfway but it was nearing sundown – and a nasty, nasty hill was standing in my way. I continued undaunted by the impending darkness and was rewarded with some incredible sunset views.
[Above: Thankfully the sunset partially offset the searing pain in my legs – this is one killer hill!]
[Above: Looks like my nocturnal urges of night travel will soon be realized... halfway up the pass to Halfway.]
I arrived in Halfway, Oregon, just past dark and stumbled into the appropriately named Halfway Hotel, which graciously allowed me to set up my tent on a patch of grass for $5.00 – with a shower and WiFi included! I liked this setup indeed.
[Above: Camp Site - the best $5.00 I ever spent! ]
After pitching my tent in the black of the night, Elvis and I rode a good 200 yards into the tiny town in search of food. Nothing was being served, but one bar was open. I ordered a beer and placed my weary butt on a bar seat. After all – I needed to carbo load for the following day and beer has the carbs --seemed like a good plan to me.
I quickly struck up a conversation with Jason, a meaty cat from Portland who was enjoying his libations greatly. He was also on a bike tour – the motorized kind. He was slack jawed when I told him about my trip. He simply could not fathom such an endeavor and rewarded me with a complimentary beverage for my insane travel plan. I offered to switch up rides for a few days but he mentioned his spandex pants had inadvertently shrunk and were no longer comfortable for biking. Dang it! But it was worth a shot anyway!
I enjoyed visiting with Jason, who confided in me that his wife had recently passed away after losing a battle with cancer. He was riding along with his friend Tom who had been undergoing cancer treatments for the past 18 months. They were fun guys, enjoying life fully, and trying to balance out the share of tragedy they have experienced of late. I wish them health and endless miles of happiness.
[Above: Me and the Boys - L-R: Bill, the rancher who taught me more about cattle than I need to know, Tom Fitze of Moscow, Idaho, me, and Jason Edinger, a self-proclaimed “fishin’ fool” from Portland.]
Visit the Jaredsmiles.org website
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