Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Day 11 - Baker City to Halfway

Today we took full advantage of the soft beds and the continental breakfast.  We didn't leave the hotel until 9:30 this morning.

Before leaving Baker City we stopped at the bike shop for some chamoise butter and tubes. Then hit Safeway for some lunch groceries.  In the distance we saw some ominous looking clouds and the power outage at Safeway gave us more concerns. However looking in the direction we were headed the clouds only looked like possible rain.

The big event for the day was the snake sighting.  I was riding in front driving into the headwind.  I looked up just in time to see a snake in the road.  For those that know, these are my least favorite creatures. I issued some well known expletives and began to swerve. The problem was compound by a passing car. A big swerve was not a good option.  I slammed on the brakes to avoid rolling over it and caused a 3 bike pileup. There were a few scrapes, but all survived.

The most beautiful part of the day (also the hardest) was the climb out of Richland.  The green green valley contrasted against  the brown sagebrush was wonderful.  Of course I don't have a picture because I didn't want to have to restart on the 7% grade!

Tonight we are camped at a rough RV park in Halfway.  They have showers! I think I have my tent situation figured out for the time being too. All good in Halfway. 

Trans Am Tally
Miles: 635
Flats: 4
Roadkill: 4 snakes, 2 frogs, 8 deer, 3 coyote
Snakes: 2
Beers: 11

From the Open Road,
Midnight Chocolate

Pictures:
Waiting for the bike store to open in Baker City
Met our fellow bike tourers at Safeway (check out how much they carry)
Heading into the clouds
Powder River in the canyon
Lunch stop under one of the few trees around
Break in Richland before the big climb of the day
View from the pass summit
Mandy and Steve rounding out the big climb.

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