Wednesday June 29
40 miles
Silent Creek OR
Route 19 Journey Through Time Scenic Byway has got to be theist beautiful road in America. And the best kept secret. It was like biking through the Grand Canyon with few other card on the road. The canyon walls were incredible and went on for mile after mile...all downhill along the John Day River.
People are different out here. And I like it. They're friendly. They're helpful. They like other people. Yesterday we pulled our bikes onto a ranch driveway, spread out our wet tent to dry and hiked back under a tree for shade for lunch. As we were done eating and walking back to our bikes, a woman in her Mercedes drives in and jumps out. We thought she was going to bitch us out fir being on her property. No. She was worried something happened to us. She gives me a big hug and asks if we're ok. When we said we were just seeking shade, she offered her storage barn a bit further up the driveway. This morning again an example. Last night we camped just outside this fossil monument next to the gate. The keeper surprised us quite early thus morning when he came to open the gate. Friendly guy. Not angry about where we were camped. Even said that although they weren't open for a couple more hours, he'd unlock the bathrooms for us. (Why are bathrooms locked anyways?). There hasn't been an angry anyone. But we're respectful too of their property and don't take advantage of the kindness.
Pedal on, Pedal on
Saddle BagLady
-Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Endless Downhill
Tuesday. June 28
Fossil Museum
40 miles. Passed halfway point of Fuat's trip
Breakfast in town. You can screw up hollandaise sauce I found out. Darn!
Laundry. More grub. Probably last decent grocery store for quite a while.
Yesterday we met Dustin and he had biked the Columbia River Gorge eastward and made great time with the wind at his back. He did just a section westward and it was impossible. IMPOSSIBLE! Change of plans. Not doing that. Still working our way diagonally across OR. Still many questions about which way to go.
But I've been loving our route and extra glad we came this way. Today was 40 miles of gradual downhill as we followed the John Day River. And it should have been a joy. But for the HEADWINDS!!!! Worse for Fuat than for me. It hits the upright bike differently. More force.
Tonight we have the best campsite and view ever!!! We're in the area of the John Day Fossil Monuments. Ancient rock formations in every direction! Because we got here after close today, we're camped out in a field next to the gate. First in line tomorrow.
Got some fabulous sunset cloud photos on my good camera. Can't capture that stuff on my iPhone.
But I did get a pic of our tuna sandwiches for dinner. That's orang peppers and napa cabbage on panini bread. Yum!!!
Pedal on, Pedal on
Saddle BagLady
-Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Fossil Museum
40 miles. Passed halfway point of Fuat's trip
Breakfast in town. You can screw up hollandaise sauce I found out. Darn!
Laundry. More grub. Probably last decent grocery store for quite a while.
Yesterday we met Dustin and he had biked the Columbia River Gorge eastward and made great time with the wind at his back. He did just a section westward and it was impossible. IMPOSSIBLE! Change of plans. Not doing that. Still working our way diagonally across OR. Still many questions about which way to go.
But I've been loving our route and extra glad we came this way. Today was 40 miles of gradual downhill as we followed the John Day River. And it should have been a joy. But for the HEADWINDS!!!! Worse for Fuat than for me. It hits the upright bike differently. More force.
Tonight we have the best campsite and view ever!!! We're in the area of the John Day Fossil Monuments. Ancient rock formations in every direction! Because we got here after close today, we're camped out in a field next to the gate. First in line tomorrow.
Got some fabulous sunset cloud photos on my good camera. Can't capture that stuff on my iPhone.
But I did get a pic of our tuna sandwiches for dinner. That's orang peppers and napa cabbage on panini bread. Yum!!!
Pedal on, Pedal on
Saddle BagLady
-Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Ya Gotta Earn Your Wheeeee!
Monday June 27th
John Day OR
40 miles
Trip total. 820, I guess
Not one, but two 5000 ft summits were crossed today. Up and up and up and up....then...wheeeee! I don't have a bike computer anymore so I don't know how fast I get going, but I'm way, way ahead of Fuat by the bottom. Blaze screams down the hills! I've started putting my helmet on for the downhills 'cause they're that exhilarating. And scary. O gave to tell myself to stop tensing up and just sit back and enjoy the ride!!! Wheeee!
After Dixie Summit, the second one, the downhill broke out into the most gorgeous valley I gave ever seen. Long. Wide. Green and lush. With snow capped mountains all along it. Took my breath away. I had to stop the speedy descent to take I'm the beauty. Breathtaking! The kind of view that pictures just don't capture. Ya just gotta be there.
And then it was downhill for 15 miles. Thankgoodness. Because these here legs ache every time I start pedaling after a stop. They're plum tuckered out.
Lost my sun visor today during one if the downhills when I switched it out for my helmet. And it's a critical piece of multiple-function gear: holds my hair off my face and off my neck and shields the sun (and rain) out if my eyes. So when I got to a town I started asking around to find one. Small town. Not many shops. But didn't the lady in one call down the street to another shop to see if Wanda had any. And she did. But I didn't like them. Not comfortable. But she did gave a baseball cap that I liked. Had to cut the center out - cooling factor for thus post-menopausal lady! So even before paying her I borrowed some scissors and started hacking away. Then asked for a needle and thread. She said she had a sewing machine and after she finished wrapping a gift she'd sew it. I said we wre going down the street for ice cream angus be back in a while. Still hadn't paid for it. Came back and she's apologizing for a slight sewing mishap. I said, "It's beautiful! Just what I needed! I love it!". Gave her $6.50 and a hug. What's not to love in small town America?
On to John Say and as we're riding in to town, Will, a forest service employee and bike,chats us up on the street. Says he has an Oregon bike map at his house, so we follow h home. One thing leads to another and we have a place to camp in his yard (please turn off the sprinklers, says me) and use of his shower. Lovin' it!
Pedal on, Pedal on
Saddle BagLady
-Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
John Day OR
40 miles
Trip total. 820, I guess
Not one, but two 5000 ft summits were crossed today. Up and up and up and up....then...wheeeee! I don't have a bike computer anymore so I don't know how fast I get going, but I'm way, way ahead of Fuat by the bottom. Blaze screams down the hills! I've started putting my helmet on for the downhills 'cause they're that exhilarating. And scary. O gave to tell myself to stop tensing up and just sit back and enjoy the ride!!! Wheeee!
After Dixie Summit, the second one, the downhill broke out into the most gorgeous valley I gave ever seen. Long. Wide. Green and lush. With snow capped mountains all along it. Took my breath away. I had to stop the speedy descent to take I'm the beauty. Breathtaking! The kind of view that pictures just don't capture. Ya just gotta be there.
And then it was downhill for 15 miles. Thankgoodness. Because these here legs ache every time I start pedaling after a stop. They're plum tuckered out.
Lost my sun visor today during one if the downhills when I switched it out for my helmet. And it's a critical piece of multiple-function gear: holds my hair off my face and off my neck and shields the sun (and rain) out if my eyes. So when I got to a town I started asking around to find one. Small town. Not many shops. But didn't the lady in one call down the street to another shop to see if Wanda had any. And she did. But I didn't like them. Not comfortable. But she did gave a baseball cap that I liked. Had to cut the center out - cooling factor for thus post-menopausal lady! So even before paying her I borrowed some scissors and started hacking away. Then asked for a needle and thread. She said she had a sewing machine and after she finished wrapping a gift she'd sew it. I said we wre going down the street for ice cream angus be back in a while. Still hadn't paid for it. Came back and she's apologizing for a slight sewing mishap. I said, "It's beautiful! Just what I needed! I love it!". Gave her $6.50 and a hug. What's not to love in small town America?
On to John Say and as we're riding in to town, Will, a forest service employee and bike,chats us up on the street. Says he has an Oregon bike map at his house, so we follow h home. One thing leads to another and we have a place to camp in his yard (please turn off the sprinklers, says me) and use of his shower. Lovin' it!
Pedal on, Pedal on
Saddle BagLady
-Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Monday, June 27, 2011
The Endless Uphill
12 miles past Sumpter towards John Day on rte 7
32 most challenging miles.
Lazy starts, but on the road at 8:04. And the whole day, miles just did not seem to pass by.
Pedal, pedal, rest, pedal. Fuat waits patiently all throughout the day for Blaze and me to catch up. Then we pass him on the downhills, of which there were too few today. Oregon is one rural state. And just because the map shows a town, doesn't mean it has any stores. Could be a ghost town. Makes it hard for us to plan our food because we often don't really know when we'll find a store again. Today some young folks angeled us some water when we met at an historical site. Trail magic! Fuat doesn't believe it's magic, but I know it is.
Tonight we're camped in a national forest. It's been over a week since I was really in the woods. And it feels good. If these darn ravens would just shut up!!!
Good dinner of fried rice with veggies of green beans, zucchini, and red pepper. Lunch we made tomato, avocado, green chard sandwiches on delicious large rolls a woman in Baker City gave us after we had a Thai tofu salad and soup at her restaurant. Generous gifts come our way.
Pedal on, Pedal on
Saddle BagLady
-Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
32 most challenging miles.
Lazy starts, but on the road at 8:04. And the whole day, miles just did not seem to pass by.
Pedal, pedal, rest, pedal. Fuat waits patiently all throughout the day for Blaze and me to catch up. Then we pass him on the downhills, of which there were too few today. Oregon is one rural state. And just because the map shows a town, doesn't mean it has any stores. Could be a ghost town. Makes it hard for us to plan our food because we often don't really know when we'll find a store again. Today some young folks angeled us some water when we met at an historical site. Trail magic! Fuat doesn't believe it's magic, but I know it is.
Tonight we're camped in a national forest. It's been over a week since I was really in the woods. And it feels good. If these darn ravens would just shut up!!!
Good dinner of fried rice with veggies of green beans, zucchini, and red pepper. Lunch we made tomato, avocado, green chard sandwiches on delicious large rolls a woman in Baker City gave us after we had a Thai tofu salad and soup at her restaurant. Generous gifts come our way.
Pedal on, Pedal on
Saddle BagLady
-Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Oregon Trail
Saturday, June 25
Just beyond Baker City
18 miles, if we're lucky!
Sweet town, Baker City with majestic snow capped mountains as a backdrop.
Oregon Trail Visitors Center. Took a taxi out there because it was 6 miles out of town up on a hill. We may be crazy, but we're not stupid;)
Resupplied at a co-op with organic food. Yippee! Cherries from a fruit stand. Yummy! And ICE CREAM!!!!!
Managed to enjoy almost a whole day in town and then pedaled about 8 miles out to a field full of gopher holes to camp. I was worried they'd munch all our food so I stashed it up on a fence. It worked.
Trying to decide our route across this state is proving to be a bit of a challenge. One route is closed due to snow so the bike shop guy suggested we dip south. So we're heading to Sumpter tomorrow and figure things out from there
Pedal on, Pedal on
Saddle BagLady
-Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Just beyond Baker City
18 miles, if we're lucky!
Sweet town, Baker City with majestic snow capped mountains as a backdrop.
Oregon Trail Visitors Center. Took a taxi out there because it was 6 miles out of town up on a hill. We may be crazy, but we're not stupid;)
Resupplied at a co-op with organic food. Yippee! Cherries from a fruit stand. Yummy! And ICE CREAM!!!!!
Managed to enjoy almost a whole day in town and then pedaled about 8 miles out to a field full of gopher holes to camp. I was worried they'd munch all our food so I stashed it up on a fence. It worked.
Trying to decide our route across this state is proving to be a bit of a challenge. One route is closed due to snow so the bike shop guy suggested we dip south. So we're heading to Sumpter tomorrow and figure things out from there
Pedal on, Pedal on
Saddle BagLady
-Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Saturday, June 25, 2011
I-84 and Trains
Friday, June 24
~35 miles. Into the wind.
Trip total 740
South of Baker City
Yup, we biked on I-84 today for 15 miles. Couldn't get a hitch. Headwinds were the worst part.
Yup, those are kitty litter pails. Thanks, Dennis! They are working out great!
Yup, we were so tired we camped next to the train tracks that ran next to the road for the last 20 miles.
Yup, the trains are noisy! Especially when your head is not 100 feet from them. What were we thinking? We weren't. Too tired and hungry to think.
To bed before 8 pm.
Below was our only option for resupply this evening. Guess we'll be scrounging from the feed bags!! Doesn't look like Pleasant Valley is open.
Tomorrow off to the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center.
OMG! The trains are coming every 10 minutes. And tooting all the way. WTF? Our campsites are turning into disasters. But Fuat's so tired he's snoring away and missing all the action. Bike touring is hard work. Especially the first week. Maybe when we get into the mountains, we'll find some idyllic sites. None too soon.
Sprinklers. Trains. What next?
Pedal on, Pedal on
Saddle BagLady
-Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
~35 miles. Into the wind.
Trip total 740
South of Baker City
Yup, we biked on I-84 today for 15 miles. Couldn't get a hitch. Headwinds were the worst part.
Yup, those are kitty litter pails. Thanks, Dennis! They are working out great!
Yup, we were so tired we camped next to the train tracks that ran next to the road for the last 20 miles.
Yup, the trains are noisy! Especially when your head is not 100 feet from them. What were we thinking? We weren't. Too tired and hungry to think.
To bed before 8 pm.
Below was our only option for resupply this evening. Guess we'll be scrounging from the feed bags!! Doesn't look like Pleasant Valley is open.
Tomorrow off to the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center.
OMG! The trains are coming every 10 minutes. And tooting all the way. WTF? Our campsites are turning into disasters. But Fuat's so tired he's snoring away and missing all the action. Bike touring is hard work. Especially the first week. Maybe when we get into the mountains, we'll find some idyllic sites. None too soon.
Sprinklers. Trains. What next?
Pedal on, Pedal on
Saddle BagLady
-Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Friday, June 24, 2011
3 Flats in 3 Days
Thursday. June 23
Huntington ID
90 miles out of Boise in 2.5 days
So heat has been the new issue. Skin-scorching heat. And my position on the trike seems to maximize the impact of the sun. Fuat isn't having the same problem. But I'm in pain. So I pulled out the Pacific Crest Trail GoLite umbrella that I brought along just for this problem. Butbi thought I'd only be using it for rest stops. Hell no! I found I can bike holding it. (just not in the downhills:)). The looks I get are so worth it. And it keeps me much cooler.
Me and Mary Poppins.
Been looking for Oregon Trail ruts through this section. Maybe tomorrow. Sometimes it can seem so romantic to me the thought of traveling west by covered wagon until you read what it was really like. Not an easy journey - no way.
Today I spotted baby owls in a cliff hole nest. So cute. Three in there. Pics are on my camera.
The sprinklers didn't go off just once that other morning. No. They cycled through again and caught us fully exposed and drenched everything! Then when we moved it all to the field nearby to dry out, they came on there too and still managed to get us wet and force us to move our stuff yet a third time. So now we scour an area looking for sprinklers before we set up camp. If it looks lush and green and inviting, we know it's too good to be true. But the scrubby growth is quite prickly for tenting.
One day during this heat we did manage a skinny dip under a bridge in the Snake River. Had to be careful the strong current didnt carry us away. And the water was quite chilly. But it was refreshing. Then dip our shirts in to get them wet and stayed cool for a few more miles. Great trick.
Got a shower yesterday in a state park. I washed my clothes and put them all back on wet. The were dry within 5 miles!
Had our first bike on the Interstate. No other options. 3 miles. Not fun. Suppose to do 18 miles that way today, but Fuat suggested we try and get a hitch. I like that idea better. Guess the road goes through a canyon and is quite dangerous. Wish us luck. Hitching with 2 bikes will be a bit more challenging!!!
Pedal on, Pedal on
Saddle BagLady
-Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Huntington ID
90 miles out of Boise in 2.5 days
So heat has been the new issue. Skin-scorching heat. And my position on the trike seems to maximize the impact of the sun. Fuat isn't having the same problem. But I'm in pain. So I pulled out the Pacific Crest Trail GoLite umbrella that I brought along just for this problem. Butbi thought I'd only be using it for rest stops. Hell no! I found I can bike holding it. (just not in the downhills:)). The looks I get are so worth it. And it keeps me much cooler.
Me and Mary Poppins.
Been looking for Oregon Trail ruts through this section. Maybe tomorrow. Sometimes it can seem so romantic to me the thought of traveling west by covered wagon until you read what it was really like. Not an easy journey - no way.
Today I spotted baby owls in a cliff hole nest. So cute. Three in there. Pics are on my camera.
The sprinklers didn't go off just once that other morning. No. They cycled through again and caught us fully exposed and drenched everything! Then when we moved it all to the field nearby to dry out, they came on there too and still managed to get us wet and force us to move our stuff yet a third time. So now we scour an area looking for sprinklers before we set up camp. If it looks lush and green and inviting, we know it's too good to be true. But the scrubby growth is quite prickly for tenting.
One day during this heat we did manage a skinny dip under a bridge in the Snake River. Had to be careful the strong current didnt carry us away. And the water was quite chilly. But it was refreshing. Then dip our shirts in to get them wet and stayed cool for a few more miles. Great trick.
Got a shower yesterday in a state park. I washed my clothes and put them all back on wet. The were dry within 5 miles!
Had our first bike on the Interstate. No other options. 3 miles. Not fun. Suppose to do 18 miles that way today, but Fuat suggested we try and get a hitch. I like that idea better. Guess the road goes through a canyon and is quite dangerous. Wish us luck. Hitching with 2 bikes will be a bit more challenging!!!
Pedal on, Pedal on
Saddle BagLady
-Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Sprinklers!
Tuesday. June 21
Summer Solstice
15 miles. Maybe
Not yet to Emmett ID
Bad bed in hostel - springs poking through.
Parking meters needing to be fed and 1 hour limits - dang rental car, remember.
Delicious breakfast at Goldys: Veggie Benedict and Stuffed French Toast
Little Mexican band on street corner.
Worst traffic of my whole ride.
Blazing sun scorching my skin.
First flat. Ran over something trying to get to shade
Birding along the way:
Western Kingbird
Morning Dove
Bullocks Oriele and nest
House Finch
Ferruginous Hawk
Fabulous dinner of stir fried veggies, angel hair pasta, and cheese. Organic dark choc for dessert. Heaven.
Camping in the manicured entryway to a housing subdivision because it was the only shade
Awaking to sprinklers!!!
Memorable first day of bike touring for Fuat, but he sure seems to be enjoying it.
Pedal on, Pedal on
Saddle BagLady
-Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Summer Solstice
15 miles. Maybe
Not yet to Emmett ID
Bad bed in hostel - springs poking through.
Parking meters needing to be fed and 1 hour limits - dang rental car, remember.
Delicious breakfast at Goldys: Veggie Benedict and Stuffed French Toast
Little Mexican band on street corner.
Worst traffic of my whole ride.
Blazing sun scorching my skin.
First flat. Ran over something trying to get to shade
Birding along the way:
Western Kingbird
Morning Dove
Bullocks Oriele and nest
House Finch
Ferruginous Hawk
Fabulous dinner of stir fried veggies, angel hair pasta, and cheese. Organic dark choc for dessert. Heaven.
Camping in the manicured entryway to a housing subdivision because it was the only shade
Awaking to sprinklers!!!
Memorable first day of bike touring for Fuat, but he sure seems to be enjoying it.
Pedal on, Pedal on
Saddle BagLady
-Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Llama keeper. Part 2
Sat and Sun June 18 & 19
Still in Idaho City
My host, Paul, suggested I move the llamas to new patches of grass. Simple task. They're in screw in stakes. How hard can this be? I'm an animal handler for christsakes. So I move the first one. Ergh. Tough ground. Can't seem to get the stake in all the way. That will have to do. Go get #2. Trying to screw him in and look up. Where's #1? No where in site. Shit! Meadows with woods behind and neighbors up the hill. I'll find him later. And on I go. When I finish, three are loose and two are tethered. Can't find the 3 loose ones. Hope they come home. Go in the house. While on the phone, I look out and #4 is loose now and leaving. WTF! I'm in this stranger's house and managed to lose 4 of his 5 llamas in less than 24 hours. Maybe I should leave a note and move on. "Gotta run. Thanks for the night. Llamas all tethered in front!". After Paul got home, we joked aplenty about my losing his llamas. But I did manage to recover them all before he arrived. Guess I could have kept my mouth shut, but the story was such fun to tell him. Those llamas have roamed all over these parts it turned out.
Decided to stay a 3rd night and will bike into Boise tomorrow. Need to be at Enterprise by 5 pm to pick up rental car. Paul and friend Diana are taking me to Ketchum Hot Springs this afternoon. Too good an option to pass up.
The rest feels good before the next leg if my journey.
Off to tour downtown Idaho City. Saw some of it yesterday, but it was raining so not so much fun.
I'll get some pictures today. Rustic western buildings of yesterday. Love seeing them.
Pedal on, Pedal on
Saddle BagLady
-Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Still in Idaho City
My host, Paul, suggested I move the llamas to new patches of grass. Simple task. They're in screw in stakes. How hard can this be? I'm an animal handler for christsakes. So I move the first one. Ergh. Tough ground. Can't seem to get the stake in all the way. That will have to do. Go get #2. Trying to screw him in and look up. Where's #1? No where in site. Shit! Meadows with woods behind and neighbors up the hill. I'll find him later. And on I go. When I finish, three are loose and two are tethered. Can't find the 3 loose ones. Hope they come home. Go in the house. While on the phone, I look out and #4 is loose now and leaving. WTF! I'm in this stranger's house and managed to lose 4 of his 5 llamas in less than 24 hours. Maybe I should leave a note and move on. "Gotta run. Thanks for the night. Llamas all tethered in front!". After Paul got home, we joked aplenty about my losing his llamas. But I did manage to recover them all before he arrived. Guess I could have kept my mouth shut, but the story was such fun to tell him. Those llamas have roamed all over these parts it turned out.
Decided to stay a 3rd night and will bike into Boise tomorrow. Need to be at Enterprise by 5 pm to pick up rental car. Paul and friend Diana are taking me to Ketchum Hot Springs this afternoon. Too good an option to pass up.
The rest feels good before the next leg if my journey.
Off to tour downtown Idaho City. Saw some of it yesterday, but it was raining so not so much fun.
I'll get some pictures today. Rustic western buildings of yesterday. Love seeing them.
Pedal on, Pedal on
Saddle BagLady
-Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Monday, June 20, 2011
Boise!
Monday, June 20
Boise, ID
36 miles
Close to 600 trip miles
Felt good to be back in the saddle today after 2 full days off. Blaze was well rested, realigned back end, and chomping at the bit. And it was an easy ride, mostly downhill with only one small climb.
City biking is not fun, though. Too many cars. Too little room for bikes. But Boise has some bike lanes which helps. But I made it to the hostel, which is well hidden. Not many folks here even know there is a hostel.
Fuat, a friend from the Adirondacks, is arriving tonight with his bike and gear to join me from here to Portland. This will be his first bike tour. He's gonna love it, I'm sure! And I'm gonna love the company!
Had a great time in Idaho City! Thank you Paul for your warm and easy-going hospitality. Felt like home. Deanna, loved getting to know you, too. And what a cook! Thanks for the wonderful meals you whipped up with such ease. Truly a resting break from the road. And I so enjoyed learning about llamas, even if I can't screw their tethers in securely. Hope we're able to make that llama-packing trip happen in Sept. I'll be in touch.
Pedal on, Pedal on
Saddle BagLady
-Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Boise, ID
36 miles
Close to 600 trip miles
Felt good to be back in the saddle today after 2 full days off. Blaze was well rested, realigned back end, and chomping at the bit. And it was an easy ride, mostly downhill with only one small climb.
City biking is not fun, though. Too many cars. Too little room for bikes. But Boise has some bike lanes which helps. But I made it to the hostel, which is well hidden. Not many folks here even know there is a hostel.
Fuat, a friend from the Adirondacks, is arriving tonight with his bike and gear to join me from here to Portland. This will be his first bike tour. He's gonna love it, I'm sure! And I'm gonna love the company!
Had a great time in Idaho City! Thank you Paul for your warm and easy-going hospitality. Felt like home. Deanna, loved getting to know you, too. And what a cook! Thanks for the wonderful meals you whipped up with such ease. Truly a resting break from the road. And I so enjoyed learning about llamas, even if I can't screw their tethers in securely. Hope we're able to make that llama-packing trip happen in Sept. I'll be in touch.
Pedal on, Pedal on
Saddle BagLady
-Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Llama Keeper - Not!
Friday June 17
Idaho City
30 miles, I guess
Over 500 total. Losing track.
Still had to go up some more to the top of the Loman Climb. And then down. And then up to Mores Creek Summit at 6100 ft. Man, are my quads getting strong! They even feel different to the touch. Love it! I didn't have the same endorphins this morning as i had last. A bit tiring this uphill pedaling today. But I did it! Perseverance. That's what much of what I do is about. Quitting is not an option.
What a delightful downhill into Idaho City. Went straight to the Calamity Jane Cafe. Had to get some juice into my iPhone so I could find the directive to Paul's house (friend of Dennis'). Little did I know I just had to ask a local:). Several people had stories about him.
Biked up his long dirt road - not an easy task with Blaze. And pushing her is even worse. But on some of the hill, there was no other option.
Beautiful log home on 5 acres with 5 llamas tethered about.
No one home til tomorrow and not much food. Shoulda picked up something in town. Oh well. Scrounge. You're a hiker. You'll eat anything!
Pedal on, Pedal on
Saddle BagLady
-Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Idaho City
30 miles, I guess
Over 500 total. Losing track.
Still had to go up some more to the top of the Loman Climb. And then down. And then up to Mores Creek Summit at 6100 ft. Man, are my quads getting strong! They even feel different to the touch. Love it! I didn't have the same endorphins this morning as i had last. A bit tiring this uphill pedaling today. But I did it! Perseverance. That's what much of what I do is about. Quitting is not an option.
What a delightful downhill into Idaho City. Went straight to the Calamity Jane Cafe. Had to get some juice into my iPhone so I could find the directive to Paul's house (friend of Dennis'). Little did I know I just had to ask a local:). Several people had stories about him.
Biked up his long dirt road - not an easy task with Blaze. And pushing her is even worse. But on some of the hill, there was no other option.
Beautiful log home on 5 acres with 5 llamas tethered about.
No one home til tomorrow and not much food. Shoulda picked up something in town. Oh well. Scrounge. You're a hiker. You'll eat anything!
Pedal on, Pedal on
Saddle BagLady
-Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
The Kindness of Strangers
Thursday, June 16
About 40 miles
South of Lowman ID
7 am. Mornings are the worst. Cold. Have to put on layers so I can rip them off as I warm up later. Have to pack up crunchy, frosty tent this morning. Sleeping near a stream will do that, I've found out. And I know that soon my toes will be in pain from the cold when I start pedaling no matter what I do to help them stay warm.
Slept 10 hours last night. Felt so good:). Frosty soaked oatmeal this morning - it's not hitting the spot. (how do you do it Willing & Abal?) 30 miles to a place to buy food. That's a full day's ride for me. Maybe less with the long downhill - wheeee!
And all I reall want to do is crawl back in this warm sleeping bag and read.
Finishing this day's blog Fri evening and my memory of the day's activities are never as good so much later. The big goal for the day was Soudough Lodge. It was the first place since Stanley with supplies and food. And remember, Stanley was "closed". So I was pretty focused on getting to Lowman. And I was disappointed. Actually I was delighted...by the kindness of a stranger. Thanks Jennifer for picking up my breakfast and dinner! I go to leave and the waitress tells me the other folks I had been talking with had paid my bill...and I had ordered a wrap to go for dinner besides the eggs and coffee.
Long climb out of Lowman - 10 miles UP! But Blaze is a trooper. She just kept up a steady pace. Hard finding a sleeping spot on a road that's been carved into the side of a mountain. Straight up on the left and straight down on the right. Only flat spots are the turnouts. Thought about camping there but was afraid someone would not see me and pull in and run me over. Ouch! But trusted the universe and kept pedaling. And sure enough - voila! A dirt road off to the right and flat spot for my campsite. Of course. What I need when I need it. Always. And only 7:30. Got my iPod on and tunes have been helping the feet go round. I'm still pumping when I get off the bike after miles of uphill. So I start dancing with my shadow. Love the feeling of the energy moving through my body. What a Shalom moment! Ahh! Life is good!
Pedal on, Pedal on
Saddle BagLady
-Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
About 40 miles
South of Lowman ID
7 am. Mornings are the worst. Cold. Have to put on layers so I can rip them off as I warm up later. Have to pack up crunchy, frosty tent this morning. Sleeping near a stream will do that, I've found out. And I know that soon my toes will be in pain from the cold when I start pedaling no matter what I do to help them stay warm.
Slept 10 hours last night. Felt so good:). Frosty soaked oatmeal this morning - it's not hitting the spot. (how do you do it Willing & Abal?) 30 miles to a place to buy food. That's a full day's ride for me. Maybe less with the long downhill - wheeee!
And all I reall want to do is crawl back in this warm sleeping bag and read.
Finishing this day's blog Fri evening and my memory of the day's activities are never as good so much later. The big goal for the day was Soudough Lodge. It was the first place since Stanley with supplies and food. And remember, Stanley was "closed". So I was pretty focused on getting to Lowman. And I was disappointed. Actually I was delighted...by the kindness of a stranger. Thanks Jennifer for picking up my breakfast and dinner! I go to leave and the waitress tells me the other folks I had been talking with had paid my bill...and I had ordered a wrap to go for dinner besides the eggs and coffee.
Long climb out of Lowman - 10 miles UP! But Blaze is a trooper. She just kept up a steady pace. Hard finding a sleeping spot on a road that's been carved into the side of a mountain. Straight up on the left and straight down on the right. Only flat spots are the turnouts. Thought about camping there but was afraid someone would not see me and pull in and run me over. Ouch! But trusted the universe and kept pedaling. And sure enough - voila! A dirt road off to the right and flat spot for my campsite. Of course. What I need when I need it. Always. And only 7:30. Got my iPod on and tunes have been helping the feet go round. I'm still pumping when I get off the bike after miles of uphill. So I start dancing with my shadow. Love the feeling of the energy moving through my body. What a Shalom moment! Ahh! Life is good!
Pedal on, Pedal on
Saddle BagLady
-Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Friday, June 17, 2011
The Miserably, Majestic Day
Wednesday June 15
Past Stanley, Idaho
Miles? Maybe 30
Total miles. Losing track. Maybe 400ish. (Don't have a guidebook that tells me exactly where I am.)
I followed the Salmon River through the mountains all morning. The road was twisty turny with NO shoulders. I repeat, NO shoulders. White line, gravel, fallen rocks. The drivers were great and no one (well,maybe one) got upset with me.
And I had to constantly stop and take pictures. So much to capture! Oh ya, and there were hot springs bubbly up along side the road. I thawed my toes out there:)
And I saw a helicopter carrying a massive power pole slowly lower it into a hole high on a hill. Quite a site! Got it on video. I was worried that he'd hit one of the power lines with it. Not to worry. The power was turned off.
Yup. Got to Stanley I'm time for lunch and everything is closed. Like a ghost town. What's up? Power shut down til 5 pm. And it's 1:00. Arrrgghhh! Do I wait? Do I bike on? How far 'til there's a store? About 50 miles. Really? Ya know how you carry your fears? Well I've kept telling myself I had too much for a biker. Stocked like a hiker. I can always buy more in the next town. Well, not today. But I do have enough to go the 50 miles I decided. Cheese and Triscuits for lunch. Trail mix for snack. Ramen noodles for dinner. And just for Willing and Abal, I'm soaking oatmeal and fruit for breakfast. Oh, better go do it before I forget.
Done. Now where was I? So I decided to leave after a wonderful conversation with a mom pushing a stroller walking in short sleeves, baby in bare arms, and me in long sleeves shivering. They grow them tough in Idaho, she told me.
What a quaint town with unlaced streets and rustic buildings... But mo AT&T service. Another Arrggghhh! I mighta stuck around til 5 if I coulda got caught up on emails and facebook. No reason to stay, so off I went.
Into the strong headwinds I'd been bucking all day. I asked the woman if these winds were usual around here. No. Guess I'm just lucky. And they were quite chilly winds, at least to me. So I'd have my wind breaker on with hood up to warm me and then the winds would stop (they were gusting), and the sun was quite strong and quite warm ... and I'd get hot -hot flash- and there I'd be guiding the bike with my left knee ripping away at the jacket to get some cool air on my body. Another Arrggghhh!
And yet I was biking through some of the mist beautiful part of the country with pine trees scattered across the mountain sides, snow dusting the peaks, weathered rustic zigzag fences along the streams (wish I knew why) and lush grassy meadows...you, just like in the pictures, but I'm pedaling through it. For hours. For days. For weeks.
Yesterday I decided I was being too anal watching the mph, avg mph, total miles and all that...so I didn't let myself look at anything but the clock all day and just see how many miles I did by days end. 38. Not bad. I know: I'm slow.
So today I was trying the same thing, but I did check in Stanley and it was 15 miles. Well, a ways out of town, I look down and there's nothing registering on my computer. So I look to see if the wireless transmitter has pivoted away from the wheel. Gone. Lost it and the post it was mounted on. Arrrggghhh!!! Again? Not my day. One glove jumped ship this morning, but I realized it before biking off. A pink neon plastic flag I've adopted jumped off, but I saw it in my mirror. I didn't see or hear this fall away. I went back about a mile or so, but found nothing. Not to be. So now I don't have to pretend not to look, I have no idea how fast or how far except for the mile markers on the side. It'll be an interesting trial. Have to see if I replace it in Boise.
I'm loving drinking from mountain streams again. That water tastes so good! I brought a Steripen for debugging my water and the first time I went to use it it didn't work. Red light! I guess the batteries lost their charge. Too cold maybe. It's getting quite crowded in my sleeping bag with me and all the gear that needs to stay warm. We fight for space:).
It's getting cold again at night and I'm using my 15* bag. Sure glad I have it. Tonight's chilly already and it's not yet 8:00. And there are patches of snow all around outside my tent. Yup, I'm up above the snowline tonight.
Tomorrow a 10 mile downhill I've been told. Wheee!!!!! Hope it's warm by the time I get to it.
Pedal on, Pedal on
Saddle BagLady
-Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Past Stanley, Idaho
Miles? Maybe 30
Total miles. Losing track. Maybe 400ish. (Don't have a guidebook that tells me exactly where I am.)
I followed the Salmon River through the mountains all morning. The road was twisty turny with NO shoulders. I repeat, NO shoulders. White line, gravel, fallen rocks. The drivers were great and no one (well,maybe one) got upset with me.
And I had to constantly stop and take pictures. So much to capture! Oh ya, and there were hot springs bubbly up along side the road. I thawed my toes out there:)
And I saw a helicopter carrying a massive power pole slowly lower it into a hole high on a hill. Quite a site! Got it on video. I was worried that he'd hit one of the power lines with it. Not to worry. The power was turned off.
Yup. Got to Stanley I'm time for lunch and everything is closed. Like a ghost town. What's up? Power shut down til 5 pm. And it's 1:00. Arrrgghhh! Do I wait? Do I bike on? How far 'til there's a store? About 50 miles. Really? Ya know how you carry your fears? Well I've kept telling myself I had too much for a biker. Stocked like a hiker. I can always buy more in the next town. Well, not today. But I do have enough to go the 50 miles I decided. Cheese and Triscuits for lunch. Trail mix for snack. Ramen noodles for dinner. And just for Willing and Abal, I'm soaking oatmeal and fruit for breakfast. Oh, better go do it before I forget.
Done. Now where was I? So I decided to leave after a wonderful conversation with a mom pushing a stroller walking in short sleeves, baby in bare arms, and me in long sleeves shivering. They grow them tough in Idaho, she told me.
What a quaint town with unlaced streets and rustic buildings... But mo AT&T service. Another Arrggghhh! I mighta stuck around til 5 if I coulda got caught up on emails and facebook. No reason to stay, so off I went.
Into the strong headwinds I'd been bucking all day. I asked the woman if these winds were usual around here. No. Guess I'm just lucky. And they were quite chilly winds, at least to me. So I'd have my wind breaker on with hood up to warm me and then the winds would stop (they were gusting), and the sun was quite strong and quite warm ... and I'd get hot -hot flash- and there I'd be guiding the bike with my left knee ripping away at the jacket to get some cool air on my body. Another Arrggghhh!
And yet I was biking through some of the mist beautiful part of the country with pine trees scattered across the mountain sides, snow dusting the peaks, weathered rustic zigzag fences along the streams (wish I knew why) and lush grassy meadows...you, just like in the pictures, but I'm pedaling through it. For hours. For days. For weeks.
Yesterday I decided I was being too anal watching the mph, avg mph, total miles and all that...so I didn't let myself look at anything but the clock all day and just see how many miles I did by days end. 38. Not bad. I know: I'm slow.
So today I was trying the same thing, but I did check in Stanley and it was 15 miles. Well, a ways out of town, I look down and there's nothing registering on my computer. So I look to see if the wireless transmitter has pivoted away from the wheel. Gone. Lost it and the post it was mounted on. Arrrggghhh!!! Again? Not my day. One glove jumped ship this morning, but I realized it before biking off. A pink neon plastic flag I've adopted jumped off, but I saw it in my mirror. I didn't see or hear this fall away. I went back about a mile or so, but found nothing. Not to be. So now I don't have to pretend not to look, I have no idea how fast or how far except for the mile markers on the side. It'll be an interesting trial. Have to see if I replace it in Boise.
I'm loving drinking from mountain streams again. That water tastes so good! I brought a Steripen for debugging my water and the first time I went to use it it didn't work. Red light! I guess the batteries lost their charge. Too cold maybe. It's getting quite crowded in my sleeping bag with me and all the gear that needs to stay warm. We fight for space:).
It's getting cold again at night and I'm using my 15* bag. Sure glad I have it. Tonight's chilly already and it's not yet 8:00. And there are patches of snow all around outside my tent. Yup, I'm up above the snowline tonight.
Tomorrow a 10 mile downhill I've been told. Wheee!!!!! Hope it's warm by the time I get to it.
Pedal on, Pedal on
Saddle BagLady
-Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Incredible Views!!!
Monday June 13
Challis, Idaho
45 miles today, about 350 total
There are views sometimes that make me feel I'm back in the Himalayas. And I gave to remind myself I'm in the good 'ole US of A. Tonight I have a pastoral view if cattle grazing on lush grass behind rustic, wooden fences, softly mooing; and behind them snow capped majestic mountains in all directions. Why am I so lucky? I sometimes ask myself.
Today I biked over a +7500 ft summit and came down 10 miles in the rain. Whee!! Just as I got to this incredible canyon with high stone walls that the road goes through, the rain stopped. And so did I to take it all in. Pictures do not do it justice. Ya gotta see it for yourself. My brother asked me, before I left Riverton, "Why do you do this?". And I didn't really have an answer. Today I did. So I can feel alive!!!!!! The people I meet, the views I see, biking uphill in the rain, talking to the animals that come over to greet me by the side of the road. All of that and more! Tonight I'm enjoying the setting sun, cool breezes, and sounds of birds I can't identify (sorry, Fuat;)). Life is good!
Today was rich and full. Besides the fun of the climb and the rain, I met a real live working cowboy, Curtis who was out herding his cattle back up away from the road. His horse's name was Chrome. He had 2 herding dogs with him too. He said he was a rarity and that around here there are some cattle that have never seen a horse. Cowboy on a horse is a dying breed. Glad I got to meet a real one! And see him working, too!
I also saw an albino calf. Oh how I wish I could have gotten a picture but my good camera doesn't come out in the rain. I also saw roadrunners. Birds that run across the road. I hope that's what they're called.
Then, as if this all wasnt enough for today, I biked into Challis and spotted this mural.
Thats just part of it. And this guy walks up to me and asks me if I'd like to know the history of the painting. Of course! Well, he painted it 2 years ago from a photo taken on July 4, 1898 that his mother-in-law had. It was a picture taken right here in Challis and the photo has the names of everyone in it written on it. Thanks Denis Dubois! What a serendipitous meeting. Trail magic keeps happening all over the place.
And the last thing I want to mention is all the waving from drivers here in Idaho. More drivers wave than don't. Really warms my heart! A wave. A toot. I feel so welcome on the road. Idahoans are sure warm and friendly! Thank you!!
Oh and last night I slept up in the tumbleweeds. And tonight I'm sleeping in a small pavilion about big horn sheep. Maybe it will help keep my tent dry during those early morning rains. (it's just that cement is sooo hard!)
Pedal on, Pedal on
Saddle BagLady
-Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Challis, Idaho
45 miles today, about 350 total
There are views sometimes that make me feel I'm back in the Himalayas. And I gave to remind myself I'm in the good 'ole US of A. Tonight I have a pastoral view if cattle grazing on lush grass behind rustic, wooden fences, softly mooing; and behind them snow capped majestic mountains in all directions. Why am I so lucky? I sometimes ask myself.
Today I biked over a +7500 ft summit and came down 10 miles in the rain. Whee!! Just as I got to this incredible canyon with high stone walls that the road goes through, the rain stopped. And so did I to take it all in. Pictures do not do it justice. Ya gotta see it for yourself. My brother asked me, before I left Riverton, "Why do you do this?". And I didn't really have an answer. Today I did. So I can feel alive!!!!!! The people I meet, the views I see, biking uphill in the rain, talking to the animals that come over to greet me by the side of the road. All of that and more! Tonight I'm enjoying the setting sun, cool breezes, and sounds of birds I can't identify (sorry, Fuat;)). Life is good!
Today was rich and full. Besides the fun of the climb and the rain, I met a real live working cowboy, Curtis who was out herding his cattle back up away from the road. His horse's name was Chrome. He had 2 herding dogs with him too. He said he was a rarity and that around here there are some cattle that have never seen a horse. Cowboy on a horse is a dying breed. Glad I got to meet a real one! And see him working, too!
I also saw an albino calf. Oh how I wish I could have gotten a picture but my good camera doesn't come out in the rain. I also saw roadrunners. Birds that run across the road. I hope that's what they're called.
Then, as if this all wasnt enough for today, I biked into Challis and spotted this mural.
Thats just part of it. And this guy walks up to me and asks me if I'd like to know the history of the painting. Of course! Well, he painted it 2 years ago from a photo taken on July 4, 1898 that his mother-in-law had. It was a picture taken right here in Challis and the photo has the names of everyone in it written on it. Thanks Denis Dubois! What a serendipitous meeting. Trail magic keeps happening all over the place.
And the last thing I want to mention is all the waving from drivers here in Idaho. More drivers wave than don't. Really warms my heart! A wave. A toot. I feel so welcome on the road. Idahoans are sure warm and friendly! Thank you!!
Oh and last night I slept up in the tumbleweeds. And tonight I'm sleeping in a small pavilion about big horn sheep. Maybe it will help keep my tent dry during those early morning rains. (it's just that cement is sooo hard!)
Pedal on, Pedal on
Saddle BagLady
-Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Short But Sweey
Arco ID
17 miles. 267 total
Bopped around Idaho Falls on a new steed. Don't let Blaze see this picture:). It'd break her heart. Went through some if the beautiful subdivisions, down to the falls, and to a couple of farmer's markets. Wonderful change of pace! Thanks, Sarah!!!
And got a ride out about 50 miles so that I wouldn't be camping on govt nuclear testing site. So I had a short jaunt in to Arco. Short, but interesting. I met Glenn Caffery. He's a guy who's running across the US to raise $$$ for curing Alzheimers. Check out his site at alzrun.org. And make a donation if you're so moved. Certainly a good cause. He's running 50 miles a day pushing his gear in a trailer.
Then I met Beth and Adam (I think). Brother and sister doing a 4 day ride across Idaho. 200 miles. Today they out did themselves biking from Idaho Falls to Arco. About 65 miles. 13 hours. Thanks you guys for dinner! So thoughtful. Hope I see you out there again tomorrow!
And a gent in the restaurant suggested a town park with bathrooms as a place to spend the night. I hear a raucous outside my tent. Hope that's not him! Nope. Just a dog. Whew! Hope he stays away from the food on my bike.
Gosh golly, I love this life of wandering!!! I love not knowing what's around the next corner or who I'll meet.
Pedal on, Pedal on
BagLady
-Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
17 miles. 267 total
Bopped around Idaho Falls on a new steed. Don't let Blaze see this picture:). It'd break her heart. Went through some if the beautiful subdivisions, down to the falls, and to a couple of farmer's markets. Wonderful change of pace! Thanks, Sarah!!!
And got a ride out about 50 miles so that I wouldn't be camping on govt nuclear testing site. So I had a short jaunt in to Arco. Short, but interesting. I met Glenn Caffery. He's a guy who's running across the US to raise $$$ for curing Alzheimers. Check out his site at alzrun.org. And make a donation if you're so moved. Certainly a good cause. He's running 50 miles a day pushing his gear in a trailer.
Then I met Beth and Adam (I think). Brother and sister doing a 4 day ride across Idaho. 200 miles. Today they out did themselves biking from Idaho Falls to Arco. About 65 miles. 13 hours. Thanks you guys for dinner! So thoughtful. Hope I see you out there again tomorrow!
And a gent in the restaurant suggested a town park with bathrooms as a place to spend the night. I hear a raucous outside my tent. Hope that's not him! Nope. Just a dog. Whew! Hope he stays away from the food on my bike.
Gosh golly, I love this life of wandering!!! I love not knowing what's around the next corner or who I'll meet.
Pedal on, Pedal on
BagLady
-Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
We're Flying Now
Idaho Falls, ID
50 miles, trip total 250
Above photo is a campsite near the road, the night i slept with my food in my vestibule cause i was too tired and it was too rainy and there were no good bear bag trees.
Blaze got cropped, at least one tail did. And now she's trotting! We avg'd 10 mph yesterday and it felt so much more normal and pleasant to move along a bit faster. I'd gotten to dreading the day ahead because just getting 40 miles in was getting to be torture. Push, push, push. And getting nowhere. But that's behind us, and I'm happier for it.
The waitress at breakfast arbutus little diner in Swan Valley said there was a monster hill ahead. One her truck had a hard time going up. Her eyes got big and round as she thought about me biking up it. I asked her how it compared with the one between there and Victor that I had gone over. And she said that was a baby hill in comparison. Now I was a bit worried. So off I go. Gotta go. Hills and all. And I come to a hill early. And we chug up it. Nothing special. Nothing her truck couldn't do. Was that it? Is there another? On and on I pedal, worrying there's another Big One. But the valley flattens out and the hills are all in the distance. She was pulling my leg:). And so serious about it. Maybe she thought I was going a different way. That's all I could figure.
So last night I stayed at Sarah's house. Dennis hooked us up. What a delight she is. Felt like old friends right off. And the house is so cute and comfortable. Gonna be hard to leave these creature comforts and company. Getting a lift from her today out past the govt environmental lab acreage because I can't camp there. She'll drop me iff near Arco and the Craters of the Moon. Ohhh. What's camping there going to be like tonight? Camping in a lava field? Should be fun getting stakes in that stuff.
Sorry about the pics. May try again. Most of them are on the camera and not the phone anyways. Don't want to fill my phone with pics but they have to be on the phone to post because that's what I'm using for my computer. I went back and inserted one for ya!
Pedal on, pedal on
BagLady
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
50 miles, trip total 250
Above photo is a campsite near the road, the night i slept with my food in my vestibule cause i was too tired and it was too rainy and there were no good bear bag trees.
Blaze got cropped, at least one tail did. And now she's trotting! We avg'd 10 mph yesterday and it felt so much more normal and pleasant to move along a bit faster. I'd gotten to dreading the day ahead because just getting 40 miles in was getting to be torture. Push, push, push. And getting nowhere. But that's behind us, and I'm happier for it.
The waitress at breakfast arbutus little diner in Swan Valley said there was a monster hill ahead. One her truck had a hard time going up. Her eyes got big and round as she thought about me biking up it. I asked her how it compared with the one between there and Victor that I had gone over. And she said that was a baby hill in comparison. Now I was a bit worried. So off I go. Gotta go. Hills and all. And I come to a hill early. And we chug up it. Nothing special. Nothing her truck couldn't do. Was that it? Is there another? On and on I pedal, worrying there's another Big One. But the valley flattens out and the hills are all in the distance. She was pulling my leg:). And so serious about it. Maybe she thought I was going a different way. That's all I could figure.
So last night I stayed at Sarah's house. Dennis hooked us up. What a delight she is. Felt like old friends right off. And the house is so cute and comfortable. Gonna be hard to leave these creature comforts and company. Getting a lift from her today out past the govt environmental lab acreage because I can't camp there. She'll drop me iff near Arco and the Craters of the Moon. Ohhh. What's camping there going to be like tonight? Camping in a lava field? Should be fun getting stakes in that stuff.
Sorry about the pics. May try again. Most of them are on the camera and not the phone anyways. Don't want to fill my phone with pics but they have to be on the phone to post because that's what I'm using for my computer. I went back and inserted one for ya!
Pedal on, pedal on
BagLady
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Friday, June 10, 2011
Cabin Fever
Swan Valley ID
11 miles in the rain in the 30's
The rain did me in this morning. Temps in the 30's over night. Only 42 right now at 10:30 am. I'm snug and warm in a delightful cabin I was able to barter down to $60 for the night. I'll bet it goes for 2-3 times that usually. I've got all my wet gear strung on my bearline which zigzags around the livingroom. Could sleep 4 hikers in this place! Wish I had 3 others to share the expense with. I don't plan on using motels too much this trip...just when there's a real value to it. And this time there was!
Hard sitting around today during the spells of not raining. But I did manage to dry out my tent and clothes, wash a few things, catch up with friends and Dana, watch mindless TV and eat at a local diner. Even got a car offered to me to get there (a BMW!), but o said I needed the exercise.
Sleeping in a bed is not special, but having a warm place to eat breakfast and pack up is sure nice:).
Off to Idaho Falls today. 45 miles. Visiting the sister of friend of a friend. Kinda like a distant relative:) Should be fun and a change of pace.
I see sun! Glorious sun! Should be a good ride if I can beat the rain this afternoon.
Pedal on, pedal on
Saddle BagLady
Sent from my handy, dandy, mini, little computer (iPhone)
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
11 miles in the rain in the 30's
The rain did me in this morning. Temps in the 30's over night. Only 42 right now at 10:30 am. I'm snug and warm in a delightful cabin I was able to barter down to $60 for the night. I'll bet it goes for 2-3 times that usually. I've got all my wet gear strung on my bearline which zigzags around the livingroom. Could sleep 4 hikers in this place! Wish I had 3 others to share the expense with. I don't plan on using motels too much this trip...just when there's a real value to it. And this time there was!
Hard sitting around today during the spells of not raining. But I did manage to dry out my tent and clothes, wash a few things, catch up with friends and Dana, watch mindless TV and eat at a local diner. Even got a car offered to me to get there (a BMW!), but o said I needed the exercise.
Sleeping in a bed is not special, but having a warm place to eat breakfast and pack up is sure nice:).
Off to Idaho Falls today. 45 miles. Visiting the sister of friend of a friend. Kinda like a distant relative:) Should be fun and a change of pace.
I see sun! Glorious sun! Should be a good ride if I can beat the rain this afternoon.
Pedal on, pedal on
Saddle BagLady
Sent from my handy, dandy, mini, little computer (iPhone)
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Rain, Rain, Go Away
Between Victor and Swan Valley, Idaho
About 30 miles pedaling and 5 hitched
Total miles: 215
This is my 3rd night of rain and it can quit any time now! And, yet again, it started to pour seconds after I climbed in. How lucky is that? But tonight I am literally by the side of a major road because there had been no side roads through this whole national forest. So I gave up looking and took the first spot a bit (30 ft) off the side of the road. Sure glad I did when the skies opened up again today. But I'm gonna hear traffic all night. Good thing I sleep soundly:). My major worry is the fact that my food is in the vestibule. Guess I'll be glad near a road after getting mauled by a bear. If it stops raining later, I might try to hang it up. Might.
Spent last might in Jackson after a grueling headwind ride in. But 2 root beer floats later I was smiling:). (I earned them.)
Jackson is not a bag lady's kind of town. Too glitzy. I tried to buy a small 4" crescent wrench at the hardware store. $15! But it's a toy wrench I told them! So then I went to the bike shop and borrowed one from them. I wanted to try and stop the pulling to the right. I didn't have a clue what I was doing and actually I was doing nothing. I was adjusting the locking nut! But Pete there tried for a long time to get it aligned. No go. But I decided to stay over and try again thus morning. After my pizza and talking to quite a few people about where to camp (along bike path, at fair grounds, next to bike shop parking lot), while looking at a map and saw a cemetery. Those be quiet folks. I'll try that. On my way there, I found the town park. With a ski lift and boulders for rock climbing. Very cool. And perfect for the night. No one bothered me. Most interesting how places to sleep just appear just when I need one. I just have to believe it will happen...and it does.
So today before drying my gear while the bike shop fiddled again, pumped up my tires, and added a cup holder (Yup!), I had breakfast at an organic restaurant. Mmmm! Then I took a "shower" in the bike shop restroom. Even washed and conditioned my hair. New woman. When I came out with a wet head I said "You didn't know there was a shower in there, did ya?"
Then I had to do Teton Pass. 10% grade, both sides. So I had decided I would hitch up and ride down...wheeeee! (that's for you, Dennis!). And it didn't take me 5 minutes to get a ride. Pretty lucky at hitching. Tom, a guy that lives in Driggs, had seen me leaving Jackson a ways back and figured I deserved a ride. Much appreciated:))).
The downhill was exciting. I just can't seem to let her fly past 40 mph. Too scared. She so sensitive and the road had tight turns, I was afraid of two-wheeling her. Later I had another bad downhill in the rain and no shoulder. And I pumped the brakes all the way down.
Met asshole #1 today - he honked, honked, honked at me on that nasty downhill. Arrgghhh! But to offset it, a guy coming towards mr today took to the shoulder to give room to a tractor trailer truck passing me. Big hug for him! The only other scary thing that's happened 3 times is people passing coming head on to me. Really? I dive for the grass! I don't think they see me or they don't care if they take me out. I hope I live through this adventure. There's nothing in the wilderness as dangerous as roads and bikes. This has to be the scariest thing I've ever done.
Taking my life in my hands, as hey say. Tomorrow I may make Idaho Falls where I've been connected up with some locals. That should be fun if it works out
Pedal on, pedal on,
Saddle BagLady
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
About 30 miles pedaling and 5 hitched
Total miles: 215
This is my 3rd night of rain and it can quit any time now! And, yet again, it started to pour seconds after I climbed in. How lucky is that? But tonight I am literally by the side of a major road because there had been no side roads through this whole national forest. So I gave up looking and took the first spot a bit (30 ft) off the side of the road. Sure glad I did when the skies opened up again today. But I'm gonna hear traffic all night. Good thing I sleep soundly:). My major worry is the fact that my food is in the vestibule. Guess I'll be glad near a road after getting mauled by a bear. If it stops raining later, I might try to hang it up. Might.
Spent last might in Jackson after a grueling headwind ride in. But 2 root beer floats later I was smiling:). (I earned them.)
Jackson is not a bag lady's kind of town. Too glitzy. I tried to buy a small 4" crescent wrench at the hardware store. $15! But it's a toy wrench I told them! So then I went to the bike shop and borrowed one from them. I wanted to try and stop the pulling to the right. I didn't have a clue what I was doing and actually I was doing nothing. I was adjusting the locking nut! But Pete there tried for a long time to get it aligned. No go. But I decided to stay over and try again thus morning. After my pizza and talking to quite a few people about where to camp (along bike path, at fair grounds, next to bike shop parking lot), while looking at a map and saw a cemetery. Those be quiet folks. I'll try that. On my way there, I found the town park. With a ski lift and boulders for rock climbing. Very cool. And perfect for the night. No one bothered me. Most interesting how places to sleep just appear just when I need one. I just have to believe it will happen...and it does.
So today before drying my gear while the bike shop fiddled again, pumped up my tires, and added a cup holder (Yup!), I had breakfast at an organic restaurant. Mmmm! Then I took a "shower" in the bike shop restroom. Even washed and conditioned my hair. New woman. When I came out with a wet head I said "You didn't know there was a shower in there, did ya?"
Then I had to do Teton Pass. 10% grade, both sides. So I had decided I would hitch up and ride down...wheeeee! (that's for you, Dennis!). And it didn't take me 5 minutes to get a ride. Pretty lucky at hitching. Tom, a guy that lives in Driggs, had seen me leaving Jackson a ways back and figured I deserved a ride. Much appreciated:))).
The downhill was exciting. I just can't seem to let her fly past 40 mph. Too scared. She so sensitive and the road had tight turns, I was afraid of two-wheeling her. Later I had another bad downhill in the rain and no shoulder. And I pumped the brakes all the way down.
Met asshole #1 today - he honked, honked, honked at me on that nasty downhill. Arrgghhh! But to offset it, a guy coming towards mr today took to the shoulder to give room to a tractor trailer truck passing me. Big hug for him! The only other scary thing that's happened 3 times is people passing coming head on to me. Really? I dive for the grass! I don't think they see me or they don't care if they take me out. I hope I live through this adventure. There's nothing in the wilderness as dangerous as roads and bikes. This has to be the scariest thing I've ever done.
Taking my life in my hands, as hey say. Tomorrow I may make Idaho Falls where I've been connected up with some locals. That should be fun if it works out
Pedal on, pedal on,
Saddle BagLady
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Monday, June 6, 2011
Sun and Wind
Miles today: 28
Total Miles: 101
I'm somewhere past Dubois but before Togwotee Pass. I'm in bear country now.
Yesterday was a fun day. Got a good earlyish start and was able to make about 8 mph when I was biking. Sure is purty 'round this here parts! Just past midday another biker caught me and was thrilled to see me on a trike. He has one nut hadn't thought of touring on it. He's on the second section of a cross country trek. Last year he biked to WY and this year he's finishing it. His wife drives the truck and meets up with him every 10 miles. That way she doesn't have to sit home. Great idea! And guess what he wants to do next year? Hike the Appalachian Trail! To celebrate his 70th birthday! You go, Johnny! He took a zero today, but they came out to find me. I talked him in to triking with me tomorrow. He's going to ride his regular bike til he catches me, then switch to the trike. We'll stay together til Moran Junction. Hopefully he won't find me too slow. Maybe the trike will slow him down. But his won't have the weight on it.
Today the sun and wind got to me. I'm gonna be brown as toast on my front left side! But the wind kept me cool. That was the only good thing about it...arrgghhh! It was strong and really slowed me down. Way down! I biked...pedaled... for 5 hours and only got 28 miles. Tough, well-earned miles, at that! But I was warned about the wind. And I knew when it kicked up, it'd be slow going. And it was. But I just do what I can and keep moving forward. No race here. Just deadlines. But hopefully I'll make up some time (and miles) torrow with the steep downhill from the pass: wheeeeee! That's when Blaze is fast. She does love to gallop down the hills!
Tonight a couple of young women biking across the US are camped with me: Kat and Meg. They've been doing some miles. They came from Jackson today. That has to be 80-100 miles. 2+ days for me. They're using kitty litter panniers! And they're working great for them! Fuat, they said the yellow ones really show up well up the road, so you should be good! And they make good seats in camp.
Gonna go be social now that I have company:)
(Had to delete picture because it wouldn't upload.)
Pretty site tonight by the Wind River!
Pedal on, pedal on,
BagLady
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Total Miles: 101
I'm somewhere past Dubois but before Togwotee Pass. I'm in bear country now.
Yesterday was a fun day. Got a good earlyish start and was able to make about 8 mph when I was biking. Sure is purty 'round this here parts! Just past midday another biker caught me and was thrilled to see me on a trike. He has one nut hadn't thought of touring on it. He's on the second section of a cross country trek. Last year he biked to WY and this year he's finishing it. His wife drives the truck and meets up with him every 10 miles. That way she doesn't have to sit home. Great idea! And guess what he wants to do next year? Hike the Appalachian Trail! To celebrate his 70th birthday! You go, Johnny! He took a zero today, but they came out to find me. I talked him in to triking with me tomorrow. He's going to ride his regular bike til he catches me, then switch to the trike. We'll stay together til Moran Junction. Hopefully he won't find me too slow. Maybe the trike will slow him down. But his won't have the weight on it.
Today the sun and wind got to me. I'm gonna be brown as toast on my front left side! But the wind kept me cool. That was the only good thing about it...arrgghhh! It was strong and really slowed me down. Way down! I biked...pedaled... for 5 hours and only got 28 miles. Tough, well-earned miles, at that! But I was warned about the wind. And I knew when it kicked up, it'd be slow going. And it was. But I just do what I can and keep moving forward. No race here. Just deadlines. But hopefully I'll make up some time (and miles) torrow with the steep downhill from the pass: wheeeeee! That's when Blaze is fast. She does love to gallop down the hills!
Tonight a couple of young women biking across the US are camped with me: Kat and Meg. They've been doing some miles. They came from Jackson today. That has to be 80-100 miles. 2+ days for me. They're using kitty litter panniers! And they're working great for them! Fuat, they said the yellow ones really show up well up the road, so you should be good! And they make good seats in camp.
Gonna go be social now that I have company:)
(Had to delete picture because it wouldn't upload.)
Pretty site tonight by the Wind River!
Pedal on, pedal on,
BagLady
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Sunday, June 5, 2011
We're Off: BagLady & Blaze!
Miles: 25
Trip Miles: 25
Start: Riverton WY.
End: Pavilion Reservoir.
Start: 1 pm
Finish: 6 pm
Weather: 60's and sunny. Light wind. Night temp in low 40's, my guess
I hit the road about 1pm after a leisurely morning finishing packing and laundry, breakfast and lunch, and last good talks with my sister-in-law, Sandy. It's been a fun week getting to play with her! Thanks Steve and Sandy for a great visit and wonderful hospitality. Like staying at the Ritz! Oh ya!!!
I stayed on the road out of town that Google suggested even though the locals didn't recommend it...and it was great. First and foremost, it was quiet with few cars, a biker's paradise. But it did turn to dirt about 17 miles down. And even that degraded to rutted dirt for the last few miles. But Blaze is quite sure-footed and loved the challenge. And she enjoyed being up close to other horses that we often stopped and talked to. They seem quite interested in her too...can't take their eyes off her! But I sure can't wait til she figures out how to trot. This walking pace is slow going. We're only averaging about 7 mph...and we haven't hit the hills yet!
Spent last night near a reservoir on the Wind River Reservation. I was warned not to camp on the res for fear that being white I would be harassed. But I got off the main road and what cars did pass my little campsite didn't bother me. One guy waved. I think sometimes making some sort of contact helps attract some protection. Peaceful long night of sleep and a spectacular sunrise this morning. On towards Dubois today.
Pedal on, pedal on!
BagLady
p.s. Looks and feels like I'm back on the Pacific Crest Trail in southern CA. Where is Tumbleweed? I sure do miss her laughter!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Trip Miles: 25
Start: Riverton WY.
End: Pavilion Reservoir.
Start: 1 pm
Finish: 6 pm
Weather: 60's and sunny. Light wind. Night temp in low 40's, my guess
I hit the road about 1pm after a leisurely morning finishing packing and laundry, breakfast and lunch, and last good talks with my sister-in-law, Sandy. It's been a fun week getting to play with her! Thanks Steve and Sandy for a great visit and wonderful hospitality. Like staying at the Ritz! Oh ya!!!
I stayed on the road out of town that Google suggested even though the locals didn't recommend it...and it was great. First and foremost, it was quiet with few cars, a biker's paradise. But it did turn to dirt about 17 miles down. And even that degraded to rutted dirt for the last few miles. But Blaze is quite sure-footed and loved the challenge. And she enjoyed being up close to other horses that we often stopped and talked to. They seem quite interested in her too...can't take their eyes off her! But I sure can't wait til she figures out how to trot. This walking pace is slow going. We're only averaging about 7 mph...and we haven't hit the hills yet!
Spent last night near a reservoir on the Wind River Reservation. I was warned not to camp on the res for fear that being white I would be harassed. But I got off the main road and what cars did pass my little campsite didn't bother me. One guy waved. I think sometimes making some sort of contact helps attract some protection. Peaceful long night of sleep and a spectacular sunrise this morning. On towards Dubois today.
Pedal on, pedal on!
BagLady
p.s. Looks and feels like I'm back on the Pacific Crest Trail in southern CA. Where is Tumbleweed? I sure do miss her laughter!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Pavilion WY
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