August 9 (Klamath Falls to Hagelstein County Park, 23.57 miles) - Well, I got another wonderful night of rest - maybe too wonderful. After sleeping in a bed with an actual pillow and blankets I seem to awake groggy and almost weak - like it throws off my whole routine or groove. I get so used to the life of sleeping on the ground and riding, riding, saddle sores, hurtness, knees, riding, no showers, smelly, etc...that when I am given luxuries like a warm shower, comfortable bed or a great meal, it throws me for a loop if you know what I mean. Maybe that's why I got a bit dizzy today - that and the obnoxious heat.
After sleeping in, I awoke to a quiet house - man Jim Calvert has a wonderful little lodge in the hills. I took a shower, nursed my big toe with neosporin and a band-aid, gathered up my gear and worked again on my bike. Man, Flanders really screwed up my bike some - I mean I know they had to because it had to be boxed up for me to board the train and all, but it sure can be a mess to put it back together. After Jim fixed it up, I had to adjust the front tire and handle bars. Well, I had to adjust the tires a mile or two down the road. However, the part that got me the worst was the handlebar bag attachment piece. That wasn't supposed to be uninstalled dang it! It beats me why they did it - probably to get to the handlebars themselves - poop. It was never the same until I finally arrived home.
After grocery shopping at Safeway (I had virtually nothing after eating all my bagels on the train) - Yay, bagels and donuts! Road fuel! Gotta love the diet of a touring cyclist. I found only one bike shop in town - Hutch's Bicycles - Long story short, my handlebar is good and tight and will get me down the road. Although, it hangs down a bit too much...I'll have to fix it later. But it'll do for now. I filled up my bottles with ice water, got a cone and was finally on the road leaving K-Falls, even though Jim's dog didn't want to see me go...he was a fun dog! Well, after several miles on 97, I was feeling a bit dizzy, probably due to the wonderful night's sleep, and late start, I know, crazy right! Small shoulder and fast cars and desert heat might have something to do with it too. I don't have the nice cool breeze off the ocean. A motorcycle honked long and hard and caused me to crash into the side. I never thought I'd miss California so soon. More cars have honked at me in Oregon than all my time in California. Hmm...There's no "Share the Road" signs here. Sad. Well, it was already about 2 or 3 in the afternoon when I came across a county park just off the highway to the right. I was about 10 miles north of Klamath Falls. I chose to rest here for today and push onto Crater Lake manana. I have some wiggle room. There was one old man here at one of the sites that looked like he'd been here way too long. I asked him about the park and he said, choose a site, it's free. So that's what I did. I slept under the stars until about 10:00 I woke up to set up my tent, not because of the cold. It was quite warm. But the bugs were insane. The bugs here may eat/annoy me to death, but I'm good. Another night spent under the stars.
August 10 (Hagelstein to Diamond Lake via Crater Lake, 71.00 miles) - There's never a dull moment while on adventure! Just today: bunnies, deer, bug and spider infestation on tent and bike, hot weather, cool thunder storm, majestic lightning, 6-mile downhill, Klamath Lake, Crater Lake, Diamond Lake, sun, rain, snow, chipmunk (man who didn't know what it was), dead skunk, bicycle traveler (Linda) cycling from Grand Canyon - went thru Yellowstone to Southern California, honked at, turned away from Mazama Campsite, hit in the face by flying rock in loose gravel section - terrible road...What will tomorrow bring I wonder? Oh, I know, adventure!
I awoke to a massive bug and spider infestation - gross! They were all over the tent and bike. I had to swap the towel at the and shake off the tent. Crazy thing. I decided to get an early start to beat the heat here in Central Oregon. On my way, I got honked at yet again...not doing a damn thing wrong! Drivers suck.
I finally made it to Crater Lake. I haven't been here since I was about 10 or 12 - good to be back, at least briefly! I met Linda cycling up through the gravel. She was another "long-hauler" as she called them. She was loaded down for sure with four panniers and then some. She was cycling from the Grand Canyon on way to Southern California. She told me she hadn't seen another "long-hauler" since Yellowstone. That's a ways! I kept my head down whenever a car passed on the gravel because when I entered the park I got hit in the face by a flying rock. These autos have no respect for the little guy. The Mazama Campground is full and the English Park Ranger lady denied me camping privileges. Dang it, it's a right, not a privilege. I can't help but think of the 'ole cowboys or Lewis and Clark - if they were to look forward in time - "What? You pay to sleep in the woods?" Ridiculous, right?! But Crater Lake is a magnificent place. It was as amazing as I remembered it being. I stopped in the lodge to fill up my water bottle with fresh water from the lake! Thirst quencher! As I was looking across at the lake, a man saw a rodent and asked, "Is that a chipmunk?" The woman with him said, "Yah, I think so." Then after awhile, "That's a chipmunk right?" I had a little laugh at that. Did you pay to argue about what a chipmunk is...or the lake in front of you? Hello...forget the chip and take a gander at the massive lake! On my way out, I saw a deer, actually a few deer...and thunder and lightning and a 6-mile downhill road. Excellent, a metal bike speeding down a hill in the middle of a lightning storm. Awesome. Actually, it was exhilarating. Wow, it was getting dark. I had to make up some time - race against time to figure out where to sleep before nightfall.
At the 138 crossroads, I had a decision to make. Do I head left to Diamond Lake and trust my luck or do I head east into the Forest Service and trust my luck? After a few moments of deliberating, I chose Diamond Lake - glad I did too, except for that downhill I'd have to climb the next morning. But what's one more hill really? I've had more than my share this summer. Wouldn't you know it? Diamond Lake now has hike/bike camps...really nice ones too, secluded from the rest with a nice bathroom building. For free too I suppose. I had a wonderful quiet night to myself. What a day today has turned out to be...tomorrow, more adventure...woohoo.
August 11 (Diamond Lake to Cy Bingham County Park, 51.44 miles) - It was a bit chilly this morning as is expected with Diamond Lake. It is at about 6,000 feet. Near here at Cascade Summit I believe I took a picture where I did 9 years ago, except this time there is an additional sign stating the county. Things do change, but it's interesting seeing the changes and going to those places again. Well, after the long uphill battle outside the lake, was a very long (prob. another 6 miles) downhill reward. After that it was practically all flat - hot and flat with no shade! It went by pretty fast though and I saw a few more touring cyclists today.
At a rest stop along the highway there was this homeless man going on quite the rant. He was going on about how Oregon is the worst state of all 50 to travel through. Every time he comes here he gets robbed. People just don't care - like that idiot over there - you've got all these woods man and you have to camp right near me!?! He said he's very sick from cancer and needs more weed - how does that exactly work? Tell me that! I wondered. I have to be careful with people like this because I often find myself agreeing...not to the point where I fly off the handle of course. There's a little truth to everyone and in everything, or, you know, something like that. I just ate my apple and bagel in peace, or at least I tried to. It was kind of hard with the racket of the homeless man pestering all the travelers.
Then this aforementioned man was going on about how he was a rainmaker. He calls and it rains. He comes into a rainy state like this one and it doesn't rain, etc...
He went on to talk to anyone he could pester or bother...interesting dude.
Well, after I pulled into the county park, it began to rain - the thunder was huge - didn't last too long though, but I was in a race to set up my tent. I was the only person there other than one little RV in which I didn't see the inhabitants.
While I was relaxing at the table, eating some grub, Kirsch (and Bob his dog) pulled up in his bright orange pick-up truck. He's a 60-yr-old rancher. Said he's been there 45 years. Has a ranch just over yonder he said. He's on the run from a state trooper who is screwing his girlfriend. He was smoking and asked if I wanted weed, or we could just talk shit - He asked if I had my license so I could drive his truck into town for him (sorry, no stick shift! Thank goodness). He ended up leaving his truck with me with oldies playing on the radio so he could walk to town to fix his phone or something. I mean, he was a bit strange, but he did have manners - was fairly friendly. He even offered me a job on his ranch, something to do with a tape measure - hmm...but you know, I'm just passin' thru... As I declined he would ask me "Don't you like to work?" Some people just have a few clicks missin' upstairs. Oh the people we meet...that's all apart of the adventure...
Who will I meet tomorrow, I wonder?
August 12 (Cy Bingham to Bend, 51.92 miles) - After sleeping with one eye open last night (kidding) it was time to ride to Bend. What I like about Hwy 97 is how flat it is. It's straight and flat. The traffic is horrendous, but the shoulder is wide and it goes by relatively fast. Today was a clear day which was nice because it did rain some last night if I remember. I rode through La Pine and began to see some spectacular views of the central cascades. How someone does not believe in God after viewing some of His creation is beyond me. Let nature speak for itself!
Arriving in Bend, I was pleasantly surprised to be welcomed by Sally McGregor, a wonderful woman who allowed me to stay in her home for a night. She lives in a beautiful little community where they share a garden and everyone is family. I stayed in her basement apartment which was very cozy. The bed was amazing even with my sleeping bag on top. The shower was equally stimulating and I had the opportunity to do some laundry. My gloves were almost black. After the wash, they were almost white. I was very grateful for Sally's accommodations. She had two friendly dogs that I quickly fell in love with. One of them looked exactly like my old dog who died a few years ago. Sally offered me a bottle of hard apple cider which I accepted kindly. I don't usually drink any alcoholic beverages, but I hated to turn her down. I enjoyed our conversations about Bend and bicycle touring and life. She wrote down the names of some bike shops for me to visit in the morning because my bike was in bad shape. I was lucky to make it to Bend. My brakes were rubbing yet again and whatever I did, they didn't seem to improve.
(It was around this time that I happened to get in contact with an old friend who I haven't seen or talked to in about 6 years. She has been living in Kansas because her husband was stationed in the army there. It was unfortunate to hear that she was getting a divorce and taking her three young children with her back to Oregon. I did not want to hear about another friend divorcing but it was nice to talk at length and to keep each other's spirits in tact. I was happy that we were reconnecting. She was moving back in January. Oh, how life happens.)
August 13 (Bend to Jack Creek via Sisters, 42.33 miles) - In the morning, Sally cooked me up some eggs and toast and brewed some coffee to send me on my way right! She didn't have to do any of that, but as a touring cyclist, I don't say no to food. It was a wonderful meal and I did not want to leave. But alas, I had to fix my bike. Sally drove me and my bike to Hutch's Bicycles right along the river. I went in and they told me it would take about an hour. Sally went to run a few errands and I took a walk by the river while listening to a podcast. When I returned to the shop, they told me they found two broken spokes on top of my brake problems. However, God is always up to something because I still had the $25 gift master card that my friend Bonnie gave me for an emergency and guess what? This repair cost exactly $25! I thought it would've been more, but I was blessed it wasn't! Sally returned and we went back to her house where I packed up, including my second American flag I had found on the street (the first one I left in Crescent City) and was on way again.
I was in contact with my Dad because today he was driving to meet me in Sisters. I had a late start because of my bike repairs, but all was good. I arrived in the familiar town of Sisters, found Dad with some difficulty and we picked up some ice cream cones at the Snow Cap and made our way to a pizza place. Dad saw a lady he used to work with a long time ago in community education. We ate a few slices of pizza before traveling to Jack Creek. Jack Creek has been a favorite camping place for us since I was a kid. It is the epitome of camping for me I think. It's always fun riding there...no better way to do it...all the scenery, the trees, the smell, the pine cones, the sounds, the rodents...We set up camp before any rain came and finished off the pizza. I didn't realize I was so hungry! That night we had a fire, this time with dry wood! Dad was surprised at how fast I rode at this point in my trip. I was so used to the weight that it was a part of my bicycle get-up!
August 14 (Jack Creek to Detroit Lake State Park, 53.52 miles) - On the marrow, Dad was prompt to cook up some grub (scrambled eggs and some weird sausages he found that we both weren't keen on) and made some coffee with old sticky marshmallows he was trying to get rid of! It was a hearty meal to take me to Detroit. Dad would take his time around camp after I left. I still had a ways to go today which included a six-mile uphill battle before I made it to Detroit. I conquered the pass with gusto and even stopped to snap a few photos of the mountains and lakes. Central Oregon is a beautiful place to explore. Sometimes I wish I lived out here...but I will just have to visit more often.
I passed through Idanha and came to the state park in which there were no hiker/biker sites. I payed for a regular tent site that cost $19, my most expensive site of the whole trip! I always thought that every place, especially every state park should be equipped with hiker/biker sites. I mean, I have no big car to take up room. All I care about is a place to lay my head. A patch of grass would do. This is what I don't like about America. People are so anal about this sort of thing. Why can't I camp there or no one's using that grass over there? I'll be gone the next day anyhow. Most touring cyclists only stay one night in a place. Anyhow, I'll get off my high horse. The state park is nice though. Maybe that's why it's so popular. I was given a site literally right on the lake. It was gorgeous. I ate my last cheese bagel with tuna in peace. However, we did hear a few large bangs and booms in the sky of passing jets and the whole park came running to the lake - right through my campsite. Come on people! Use the paths. Be respectful. Tonight I was surrounded by generators and German-speakers. It was hard to get some sleep. I talked with some guy near the bathroom who was jealous of my adventure. He said he wished he could do something like that. "Maybe someday..." Do it now man. You can do it. It's amazing. I'm not a super athlete or a wealthy person. If you want to do something like this, just set a date and go! Commit.
August 15 (Detroit Lake to Salem, Oregon, 53.72 miles) - The Detroit Dam was spectacular as the last time I saw it. There were some more hills today, but it wasn't all that bad. Some of the signs leading into Salem weren't exactly accurate. After Mill City, the road seemed to go ever on. I think it was because I was ready to be home. At the same time I wanted to continue to ride and not end. It was bittersweet to be at the end of this trip. I knew, however, that someday I would have to return to Cosmopolis and connect the two dots between there and Lincoln City, the 250 mile section of coast I did not ride due to my Achilles injury. Because of that there was a sense of unaccomplishment. But I did accomplish something of a feat though. I do not take that lightly at all. Arriving in Salem, I gave Dad a call and told him I arrived safely and was enjoying a Dairy Queen blizzard as was my end-of-tour tradition!
This was the end, but it was also the beginning, the beginning of cycling as a lifestyle, the beginning of many more tours. I have a list of places I want to tour next...across America, British Columbia and Alaska, Montana, Iceland, etc. Those are but a few...and so far I am a solo traveler. I welcome those who wish to join me on tour, but if not, solo I will go and solo I will become.
Find your adventures; they are waiting...
Total Trip Mileage: 2,062.71 miles
Total Trip Budget: $705.99 (including $171 - Amtrak fees, $40 - bike box, $25 gift card - bike repair)
