Baker City, OR to Prairie City, OR
Friendly horn taps: 3
Rude horn honks: 2
Miles: 70
Total miles so far: 4, 262
Shadow play: Out of the Saddle!
Last year on the 10th of July, Sallie and I got a 4:15am start on Colorado’s Triple Bypass, a 120 mile, one day ride, covering three mountain passes. Today we did three mountain passes here in Oregon. The differences were notable in that we had much more oxygen in the air to breathe, and we didn’t go 120 miles to accomplish the ride.
Nonetheless, we put in a full day covering Sumpter Pass, Tipton Pass, and Dixie Pass on our way into Prairie City. We spent nearly the entire day in the forest, which always provides green relief from some of the prairie, and when the trees would clear, the vistas of the ever present surrounding mountains were beautiful, particularly when we cleared Dixie Pass and dropped into the john Day River Valley. The view we had of the Strawberry Range was breathtaking.
The Strawberry Range as seen from across the John Day River Valley from near Dixie Pass
We are getting an early start on the night’s sleep, as we are rising at 5:00am while the weather remains fairly warm, and to be quite honest, we are a little tired from the day’s labors.
Sallie says next July 10th, she’s not going to be climbing any more mountain passes. I say talk is cheap.
Lovely mountains on all sides
This gentleman was a bomber pilot in WWII. He remains in contact with the faster life today
As seen this morning in Baker City. I think there's a trademark story here somewhere...
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Tomorrow’s ride is dedicated to Kay Cee Herring
Kay Herring
Kay Herring was a native of Buford, Georgia. On December 1, 1999 Kay was killed in a rear end, high speed collision with a drunk driver while traveling between St. Augustine and Jacksonville, Florida.
In Memory of Warmer Summers 
Carl. Call when you reach Eugene. Have possible place for you in Rose Lodge. Enjoy the scenery. It is supposed to cool down a little this week.
Lynn in St. Helens.
Numero 13.
Good job.
In the bike club, people are asking when you’re gonna get back.
Carl, hope to see you at the end of the week.
Anne Pratt
Hey Carl! In case you and Sallie didn’t get to stop at the In & Out, they are cropping up like crazy back in your home town…oh, wait…this isn’t the same joint. Spelling is different (In N Out) and the arrows are different. I think maybe the owner is making a play on the words there in Oregon.
The In N Out is a California burger joint that has been building restaurants like crazy in the DFW metroplex since you’ve been on the road. They don’t use frozen or microwaved products – all their ingredients are fresh. They have a “cult” following that involves stupidly long lines and secret menus. One is convenient enough to drop in after a ride, once it’s finished. Maybe we can all go as a group and see what the fuss is about?
Love reading your posts, even though many stories are sad. Walter, Hyla and I were talking about you and your blog this morning on the ride…be safe! (Just one more ! for good measure!)