Day 22 - Prospect to North Fork Campground

43 miles - 3880 up

It rained in the early morning, so we got a little later start today, around 10... We're usually on the road by 8:30 or so. 

We knew the rain was coming so we pre-packed a little and didn't have to deal with too much wet stuff.

We were able to chat with our hosts a little more - it turns out that she's going to the Draft Horse Classic in Grass Valley!

Unfortunately, it's about two weeks before we'll be back, so we don't get to reciprocate.

The air felt so fresh and clean today after the rain!

Not too many photo opportunities today - it mostly looked kinda like this...

We did pass this area, with enormous slash piles from logging...we're curious about what happens to them.

We stopped for a great lunch in Butte Falls, population 421, then paid for our fun downhill day yesterday with an 18 mile steady climb.

Day 21 - Chemult, OR to Prospect, OR

70 miles, 2200 feet up, with lots and lots of downhill! 4220' downhill...

The day started out overcast, or smokey or both, and cool, as we left Chemult early to try to avoid heavy traffic on Hwy 97. We had to ride about 9 miles on the highway before reaching the road that leads to Crater Lake.

All of our information was that the north entrance to the park was closed. Yep, we had to detour around the park.

It wasn't looking good...

But then, after we passed the park entrance, the road headed downhill and kept going downhill practically all the way to Prospect. We rode 70 miles easily and finished early. 

Along the way, we stopped at the Rogue River gorge (the headwaters of the river).

We called a number listed our map that said they offered camping and landed at a hay farm with a wonderful campground next to a river.

Those are the barns, looking across the field from where we're staying.

The couple that own the farm are very nice, offering us the use of showers while they set up a table for us at our camping spot. When we arrived a little later, there was a basket of fruit waiting for us!

Day 20 - Elk Lake Campground to Chelmet, OR

62 miles, 1948 feet up

We found out today that we have to detour around Crater Lake due to fires in the area.

The road today was a gentle, rolling cruise along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Highway for about 40 miles... mostly like this.

We did pass some huge lava fields...

Then, we passed Wickiup reservoir, which showed the effects of the drought in Oregon.

We passed an area near Davis Lake that burned in 2003.

It was a 21,000 acre fire.

Then, the peaceful, quiet road came to an end.

The road got busier and busier... There wasn't a camping place nearby, so we stopped in Chemult and checked into  a classy hotel.

The town seems to be mostly a pass through town for trucks...

We found a restaurant and had a meal and beer that were the best we've ever had... Since last night.

Day 19 - Sisters to Elk Lake Lodge

59 miles, 4208 up

We started our day riding from Sisters to Bend along the highway shoulder, but soon took a turn onto a very quiet country road that was lined with beautiful ranches, farms and an incredible number of fine looking horses. 

That road took us into the outskirts of Bend, where we had a snack and coffee / tea at a serious biker place. Our maps tell us we have limited services for 94 miles, so it seems like time for a treat.

Soon enough, we were on the road toward Mt. Batchelor, our "hill for the day, " about 17 miles of steady going... Not steep, just another long one.

We stop sometimes for a break...

Here's our first view of Mt. Batchelor...

After we passed the ski resort, the scenery improved.

For tonight, we landed at Elk Lake Resort, which does have showers, a small store, restaurant and other important items...

We're about 90 miles from Crater Lake now, and the Northern entrance is closed due to fires... We may have to detour.

Day 18 - layover day in Sisters!

0 miles, 0 climbing feet!

Why is this man smiling?

He slept in, has no luggage, no bike clothes, he's going to do laundry, his life is good!! And, that box is full of whatever we guessed we might want at this point on the trip...

It turned out it was fresh bike clothes, a lot of tea and coffee (which we already bought last night), some energy drink, some energy bars (which we bought last night) and a pile of instant oatmeal (which we bought last night). I guess we won't be shopping for a while...

We did all of our laundry, that is... everything we weren't wearing, packed the stuff we didn't want and sent it back to ourselves, then went wandering...

Sisters is a very touristy area, but we've met a few people who are hiking the PCT and a couple of others who just love the outdoors.

I think this may be a carving of Trudy...

Which one is me?

There's an interesting bike culture here, too... We didn't meet whoever rides this, but there's gotta be a story.

Nice view from up there, I guess!

So, after a nice relaxing day, we did what bike riders do...

Peace, baby! We have a long ride tomorrow!

Day 17 - Riverside campground to Sisters, Oregon (layover day)

G45 miles, 4040 up

Not a very remarkable day, except that we were headed for a "layover day," which, in our case, means we pick up whatever we thought we might want when we reached this point (we sent stuff to the Post Office here), have a day to sleep in, re-pack, be tourists, hang out...

We were on state hwy 20 / 126 the whole day, a main road to Bend, so very busy. The shoulders were mainly wide and debris free, but I think we're paying for the excellent day yesterday.

If possible, traffic gives us plenty of room.

As we approached Santiam pass, we rode by a huge burned area that went on for miles. Old burn, new burns... We've had three blue sky days so far...

On busy highways, it's really nice to have the whole lane to use because all the highway debris collects on the shoulder and is hard to avoid at 35 mph.

And we did! As we were nearing the bottom of the descent into Sisters, an old pickup truck with a camper shell passed us, followed by at least a quadra-zillion  cars, semis, and RVs! Just when the shoulder was wide and clear again!

We found a place to camp in the city park, which has... FREE SHOWERS!!!

Day 16 - Summit Lake campground to Riverside campground

58 miles, 2973 up

Yes, we're camping in National Forest Service campgrounds lately. They have pit toilets and sometimes a hose bib,they're often very basic, but they're in nice places and about as far as we want to ride for the day.

This morning, we started out with a bit of a push to get out of camp.

After that, it was bicycle heaven! Wide, smooth roads and very little traffic for almost 44 miles with signs that read Bicycle Byway, Bicycles Use the Whole Lane, and Share the Road. Oh yeah!

It does go on and on!

We did have to stop at a stream to filter water because the campground didn't have a water source .

Our devices are running out of juice because we've been riding along shaded roads and camping in the forests. No sun, no solar energy... also, we've turned south, so my body was shading the solar cells. I reconfigured the solar panels so that they're attached to my handlebar bag on the front of the bike. I brought along several Velcro straps, which have been very useful. I also use them to attach extra water to my rear rack.

Running out of power for our stuff was a great excuse for a lingering lunch at a BBQ place in Detroit, a small town we passed through today. The owner let us charge some things while we had lunch.

Our next stop was for Huckleberry ice cream, a little ways down the road. 

Tonight, we're in a campground next to the Santiam River. There are hose bibs here, but the river has been our bath tub and laundromat. Very welcome and very refreshing! Beautiful!

Tomorrow, we head to Sisters, Oregon where we've shipped some fresh clothes and will have a "layover day" to be tourists and hang out for the day.

Day 15 - Sherwood campground to Summit Lake campground

39 miles, 3826 up

From somewhere off the beaten track to somewhere else even more off the beaten track... we camped last night in a small Forest Service campground just off of the highway near the Hood River. The river was very silty, so we couldn't filter the water or bath in it. So, we had to use the water we were carrying for a sponge bath and cooking. Also, we had to wear the same riding clothes.

Replenishing our water supply became a priority for today. If we find a clear enough stream, we can filter water.

The morning was very smokey, but we don't know where it's coming from - there are several fires, so the wind may bring smoke from several places.

We're riding pretty slowly, partly because of the smoke, but mostly because it's up hill.

We passed Green Apple creek - definitely not a water source.

As we approached the Gunsight Butte summit, there were signs for Mt. Hood Meadows ski resort. We figured that even though the resort was closed, there might be outdoor hose bibs where we could fill our water bottles. Bingo! Not only did we get fresh water, we did it at the top of the hill, not the bottom.

As we rolled downhill, we spotted two new stuffed teddy bears on the road. Of course we had to rescue them! We'll be grandparents soon. Trudy's has a home on her trunk bag and mine has a home on my handlebar bag.

We stopped at a park information area and a family stopped to chat. Their daughter, Violet, named the bears. Mine is Charley and Trudy's is Rose.

We've ridden only 33 miles or so, but our 2nd option for camping is another 35 miles away and it was 1 p.m., so we decided to stop at a closer campground for the night. It's 1 1/2 miles down a gravel road near a pretty lake. Another "water free" stop, so... 

Good thing we love each other!

Here's where we are...

Tomorrow we will start the day by pushing our bikes up part of the gravel road.

Day 14 - Viento campground to Sherwood campground

7 miles west of Hood River to 31 miles beyond Hood River, for...

38 miles, 4300 up

The day started with a roar because we had to tide the shoulder of Interstate 84 to get to Hood River.

Because it's going to be awhile until we reach another "big city," we decided to have breakfast at a local restaurant. It was hearty and delicious (and I charged a couple of my devices while we ate - we've been riding in the shade, so the solar charger isn't keeping up!). Then we stopped at a local bike shop so Trudy's bike could have a minor adjustment made. Finally, we stopped to buy groceries because there are "limited services" ahead for 94 miles.

If you want to guarantee that there will be a long hill to climb, buy 10 pounds of groceries!

As we rode out of Hood River, we soon learned we are in pear country - we're surrounded by pear orchards, getting close to harvest time.

Then we got our first sighting of Mt. Hood.

It's way on the left side... Here's a closer look...

Remember that grocery / hill thing I mentioned? Here comes...

No kidding!

I pushed my bike for the first time in xx years!

Trudy, too... Probably to make me feel better...

There were vineyards at the top of the hill and a little weather vane to make us feel better...

No wine tasting, but the weather vane was cheery!

Looking a bit raggedy, like us after that hill!

Both of us love to cook, so we thought we'd share a recipe... Boil water, add ingredients, wait 10 minutes, eat!

Yummy!