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.