TEN YEARS AGO TODAY BOB HAD HIS STROKE WHILE ON A WEEK LONG BIKE TRIP! I'm so happy we've had 10 more years to celebrate together! Today we had a new state, a new time zone, and a new map. Yeah! We left Halfway, Oregon, went through Hells Canyon, crossed over Oxbow Dam and had a big climb there. It was absolutely beautiful along the Snake River and we finally found a place where we could get in and cool off. How refreshing it was. Then we got to the Brownlee dam and crossed over into Idaho. We went from the Pacific time zone to the Mountain Time Zone but we didn't know that because we had no cell signal and the phones never updated. It wasn't until later when we talked to someone that we realized the timezone had changed. Yesterday we did 54 miles. Today we only did 34 miles because of the climb and the next campground was too far away. The sun was intense and because we were in the high desert there were no shade trees or reprieve from the sun. When we got into camp we were exhausted. In camp we met a nice lady named Jean who offered to drive us to the store to get ice and supplies which was 3 miles away. We would have never ridden our bikes six more miles that day so we were very appreciative of her. Our campsite was along the Brownlee reservoir and it was so beautiful.
We started a little later because we stayed at the motel and did some online banking and paying bills. Unfortunately this still needs done. Dave and Jana recommended a truck stop across the street and we ate breakfast there. The beginning of the day was a very nice ride. I started with the Burley (trailer) wanna climb out of Baker City. Then there were some nice rolling hills and Bob couldn't catch me. He didn't like that so then we connected together as a tandem. At Richland we separated because of a big uphill and Bob took the trailer. Halfway up we switch the trailer to my bike to give Bob a break. Nearing the top of the pass the trailer came unhitched. Thank goodness for the safety strap! We put the trailer back on my bike and when Bob went to leave, his chain came off. If only it had been a chain problem which could have easily been fixed, but it wasn't. His whole rear derailleur had come apart! Praise God! We found all of the pieces in the stones including the tiny bearing. But we weren't sure if we could get it back together. It's a good thing our bikes are exactly the same because we looked at my bike to figure out how to fix his bike. We had no cell service at this point and it's a miracle that we were able to fix it! We got into camp late, tired and hungry. After setting the tent up we rode into town to get something to eat. Everything was closed except the bar said the fryer was still hot so they graciously made us chicken tenders. We took them back to camp, ate, finished blowing up the air mattresses and finally went to bed.
We had a very enjoyable zero day! Jana (Simon) , Dave and Hallie Parsons came and spent the day with us. It was great to see somebody we know. Jana is a high school friend and a college roommate. They drove up two hours to see us. They DROVE us to breakfast, the grocery and the museum. It was a very relaxing day. Later when we got ice cream it rained. This was the first time it rained the whole trip and we weren't riding. Thank you Jana, Dave and Hallie. We appreciate everything you did!!! The motel with a real bed was wonderful and so was the hot tub which felt great on my sore muscles.
What a difference a day can make! After really struggling yesterday, today was MUCH better. We went 50 miles today and climbed 2 summits. It was damp and cold this morning. The park ranger told us a few days ago it had gone from 30 in the morning to 87 in the afternoon. After leaving Austin Junction we ascended to Tipton pass at 5,124 feet. The descent was great. Then we began our second climb to Sumpter pass at 5082 feet. While we were on the road today we were among a group of 36 riders also riding across the US. Perspective is a funny thing. They thought we were amazing because we were hauling all our gear and had no support. We thought they were amazing because they were going 80 to 120 miles a day. They are riding with America on Bikes, a fully supported tour company. So they don't carry any gear. Their food, water, and snacks are provided. They stay in motels and have bike mechanics travel with them. Many of them talked with us as they passed us going up the mountain and made the time go by quickly. Another bonus is we won't be fighting off ferocious deer and skunks and strange bumps in the night because we have a motel! Thanks to Jana (Simon) and Dave Parsons. Jana is a high school friend and college roommate. The group of riders is staying at the same motel as us so we were able to talk to them some more tonight. Sunday, tomorow, is a zero day for us. Jana and Dave will be coming to see us. It will be great to see familiar faces. A funny thing happened today. A strange black bird that makes a funny squeaking noise, was squeaking in cadence with our pedals. When we stopped pedaling, it stopped. When we started pedaling it started. We thought we had a problem with our bikes until Bob acted like he was going to pedal and the bird started peeping. It drove us nuts. Another strange phenomenon was when it really looks like the road was going downhill but in reality we were still going up. It's like a mirage. Bob proved this point when he stopped pedaling and we went backwards. It surprised us, coming down off the summit, as our ears popped when they didn't pop going up so slowly. The ride into Baker City was beautiful except for the last 10 miles when they had done and chip and seal work on the road. There was loose gravel and it was really rough/bumpy. It was really cool to see some original log cabins and imagine how the Pioneers lived back in the day. Seeing the landscape and rocks makes one wonder how the Pioneers ever made it out here.
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