Wanda packed and ready to go from last night’s campsite along the John Day.
I was ready to go a few minutes before the others, and I knew I would be walking up the first part of the hill, so I headed out just before 8:00. Makaela was not far behind me.
Here she is!
Since it was heating up already, Makaela and I rolled down the road to some shade to wait for Ginny and Deb.
I thought this was a cool cloud formation.
Once we were all together, we headed on the route, stopping to take a group selfie.
I was trying to get the river in the background. Not so successful.
Continuing on…
There’s the river!
Thankfully, today was a shorter day, just 27.5 miles. That included a side trip to the Painted Hills National Monument. I’ve never been there, only seen photos. On the way I saw these two antelope.
The turn to the monument.
We had a little over a mile to the overlook. We were seeing views of the hills along the way.
Here’s a number of photos from the Overlook.
Wanda, of course!
Pano of the Hills
Pano from the other side.
Ginny!
Wild flowers and Hills.
Makaela taking flower photos.
My Makaela!
Deb!
Oh…and me.
After doing all the Overlook things (not hiking the trail though), we headed back. The route had us going further out, but what we could see didn’t seem to be much more than what we saw from the Overlook. I did stop on the way down to take an up close photo of a white hill.
This info tells about the difference between the red and white soils.
At the bottom of the descent back, I saw Ginny propping Bumble Bee to take a photo. Since we both have Cutthroats, we decided we must do a photo together.
Nose to nose Salsa Cutthroats!
Owner selfie!
From the turn to the Monument on into Mitchell, we were on pavement. There was one mile long climb, then we came to the Ochoco Hwy. The sign said 4 miles to Mitchell. But wait…when I did this with Derik (the Ochoco Overlander Modified), there was a 10 mile climb BEFORE the turn to Mitchell. I was confused. But, hey, that’s okay, I didn’t mind not doing that!
It was an uphill climb to Mitchell, but only 4 miles.
Deb now entering Mitchell!
Just before Main St. Hwy 207 came into the Ochoco Hwy. it was then I remembered Derik and I had come in that way. So, I’ve learned that the Modified version is more different than just the Mc Kay Rd part from Prineville.
We arrived at the Spoke ‘n Hostel right at noon, and were greeted by Jilét. I remember her from when Doug and I stayed here on the Trans Am. The hostel is just as amazing as when I was here before!
There is one other cyclist here from the UK who is doing the Trans Am (but not the race that is due to begin coming through tomorrow).
First thing Jilét did was give us big bowls of ice cream and some lemonade. So delicious! Then we took showers one by one, and did laundry too. Finally, we headed to Tiger Town Brewery for some food. It was packed, and it took nearly an hour to get food, but it was good!
Whew! Finally some food!
Just as we were finished, in walks Brian, my cousin. Him and Debbie had been out on the route looking for us. They didn’t know we would be so speedy. We came back to the hostel (they brought a cooler of beer for those who wanted it). We had a wonderful chat, then it was time for them to head back to Prine-tucky, as Brian calls it.
Thank you Brian and Debbie for finding us!!!
Soon we will head off to dinner, back at Tiger Town Brewery (not much else in town).
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