Bikes looking pretty heavy!
Originally, we thought we would get up at the butt-crack of dawn, and be on the road early to beat the heat. However, there were a few logistics to take care of regarding the leaving of Jana’s car at the Resort. We actually just ended up parking the car, leaving the keys in it, and leaving a voice mail for the owners (the office didn’t open until 9:00).
We rolled out at 8:10.
Heading into the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge
Everything is pretty green.
We saw so many different birds…ibis, egrets, various ducks, red wing blackbirds, and even yellow headed blackbirds.
The route was very flat, but fairly washboarded gravel. Sometimes made for slow going. The temp was a balmy 84 degrees.
After 12 miles of straight gravel road, we turned and headed out to the highway we had come in on last night.
Crossing the Blitzen River first.
Jana is the white speck up ahead.
The pavement was warmer than the gravel, but still in the 80s. There were even pockets of coolness!
We followed the Diamond Valley to Diamond. About the only thing in the town is the Diamond Hotel and Restaurant. Here we planned to eat lunch in the restaurant. We made it in plenty of time before the advertised 2:00pm closing, only to find out they no longer serve lunch. They did have snacks of chips, drinks, and even ice cream. I added a packet of chicken that I had added, and that was my lunch.
Ready for burgers…or not!
As I write this, we are sitting at the Diamond Hotel. There’s just a few more miles to go, so there’s no hurry. Plus, there are comfy chairs here.
So far, on this trip, the temps have been moderate, but the mosquitos have been extreme! We’ve had to think a bit more about our lunch situations, but we’re confident we have it covered.
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