Despite temperatures nearing (and possibly achieving) triple digits the daring duo press through Eastern Oregon for one long, hot, straight road ride. This part of Oregon is very sparsely populated so logistics was a bit challenging ... the distances between water, food and maybe even some shade dictated their mileage for each day. The area they passed through is rich with classic Western history ... and many of the folks there still hold true to their pioneering roots and cowboy lifestyle. Although they are often few and far between the people who populate this sparse region of Oregon have proved to be generous hosts for Donna and Doug ... even if the climate wasn't!
July 3 - Heading out of Bend into the high desert of Central Oregon.
Coming up Horse Ridge looking towards the Cascades way, way far away now!
A Tillamook yogurt smoothie to celebrate the top of the hill.
The ghost gas station of Millican. This will be the cheapest gas we see anywhere!
This abandoned store is the only shade we've seen for miles.
The road was this straight for a couple of hours.
The Brothers store, gas station, post office, and cafe where we fueled up.
Brothers School yard was a fine place to rest up during the heat of the afternoon.
Donna's turn. Later, when it was a bit cooler, we saddled up again and rode for another 20 miles.
And arrived in Hampton Station where the facilities were closed for the 4th of July holiday.
We did find accomodations with water and shade just next door. The price was right too!
This restroom came with its very own cattle who serenaded us the whole time (the cows and calves had just been separated).
The t-shirt says it all.
July 4th Sunrise
Chickahominy Reservoir, the most water we've seen since Bend.
Riley, at the junction of Highways 20 and 395. It turned out to be a great place to spend the rest of the day.
This could get to be a habit!
Dale, store owner, taught us the fine points of cribbage and we had several interesting conversations with him over the course of the afternoon.
Dale and Pat were grand hosts and even let us use the shower in one of their upstairs rooms. It felt great!
July 5. This facility is currently being refurbished so there weren't any horses there to look at.
Entering Hines and then on to Burns 2 miles down the road, where we found a little hotel on the eastern edge of town.
The Harney County Historical Museum was just across the street. This bell, used on parade float, is made out pine cones.
There was a lot of old stuff!
And next door to that was this fine library where we downloaded pictures and stayed cool. It is supposed to be over 100 today. 
2 comments:
Hi Donna & Doug. Looks like a lot of hot work. Lots of long roads with not much to look at. I guess it will be a good prep for the plains. I have an idea for your blog... could you put the dates in the title so we know what time period we're looking at and maybe a tentative schedule for the upcoming week. You never know you just might get a visitor :)
Love,
Eric
Hi guys, I tried to send you one of these but had not read Megan's email first so I noticed it did not go through. So I will try again. We have been following your journey. You take great pictures and have made it so interesting to read. Great job! You know when you get back you should have a gathering at Church where you share your adventures. Talk to me about this when you return and let's make it happen. We miss you at Mass. Today is our first Sunday with Father Dernbach. I guess Father Henry got food poisoning the first day in the Phillipines. I hope you get this this time. Love, Nancy
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