DAY 57
John Day, OR to Mitchell, OR
There is something about the cool morning air. Something about the soft light of the sun and the long shadows it casts as it begins it's journey across the sky. Something about the calm quiet roads and the sounds of the chirping birds playfully wishing each other a good morning. Boy was it hard to coax ourselves out of the tent for another long day of pedaling. But once we're up and on the road, it's always worth it. There is a clarity in the early hours of the day. Your body is not yet exhausted and your mind is relaxed yet sharp, primed to absorb your surroundings. It's true the landscape and scenery can be appreciated more fully in the morning and with that the journey as a whole.
John Day, OR to Mitchell, OR
There is something about the cool morning air. Something about the soft light of the sun and the long shadows it casts as it begins it's journey across the sky. Something about the calm quiet roads and the sounds of the chirping birds playfully wishing each other a good morning. Boy was it hard to coax ourselves out of the tent for another long day of pedaling. But once we're up and on the road, it's always worth it. There is a clarity in the early hours of the day. Your body is not yet exhausted and your mind is relaxed yet sharp, primed to absorb your surroundings. It's true the landscape and scenery can be appreciated more fully in the morning and with that the journey as a whole.
 |  Coming up onto Picture Gorge |
 |  It should just always be assumed that there are deer in the West |
I had first noticed it yesterday morning and was giddy with excitement. Again this morning the sun was fully to my back as it crested the horizon. For the first time, well I guess the second time now, we were headed directly West. This hasn't happened since our westward progress had been halted nearly 1,600 miles ago in Pueblo, Colorado. Since then we had been marching North, Northwest until we hit Missoula Montana. Where as we promptly changed to a South, Southwesterly direction until landing in Baker City Oregon. Now with this long shadow guiding our way West towards the Pacific Ocean I felt overcome with emotion. What was once so far away seemed tangible and within our grasp. An end to our adventure and completion of a goal we'd been working so hard at just might be possible.
 Picture Gorge |  |
 |  |
Today's route takes us along the John Day River. The river is the lifeblood of this narrow fertile agricultural valley. We pass farm after farm hugging the hills surrounding the life giving water. The roads are narrow, but traffic is light in Eastern Oregon. The feel of the area reminds me of Wyoming. People eek out a tough existence, but are rewarded by pristine untainted wilderness. It's another hot day but a slight tailwind speeds us along before the true heat of the afternoon hours settle in.
 The most awesome and remote shoe tree we've ever seen |  |
After days of being in a strange area void of other cyclists, today we meet new friends. A single woman touring from New York to California, along with a couple following the TransAmerica trail, only ending in Florence, Oregon. It's nice to have other cyclists around. This shared experience makes us all instant friends. Stories of other peoples hardships and triumphs along the same roads we've struggled on never get old. "How many flats have you gotten?" "Seventeen! No way!" "Did you go to that creepy church in Benedict Kansas?"
 Eating an orange creme popsicle, happy to be done for the day |  The Community Church in Mitchell |
Stats:
Miles: 71.22
Average speed: 12.3 mph
Max speed: 32.7 mph
Odometer: 3998 miles
Miles: 71.22
Average speed: 12.3 mph
Max speed: 32.7 mph
Odometer: 3998 miles
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