Day 4 : July 12, 2011

Prineville, OR to Dayville, OR
86 miles

*

Before jumping on my bike, I felt ready to roll ; although I had just indulged in a "free" -donations welcome- breakfast at a local school 

consisting of

bagels - with peanut butter and cream cheese

muffins - blueberry and chocolate chip
scrambled eggs

orange juice

and 

yogurt.
No, that was not the menu list.  That was in my stomach.

I doubt they expected a starving cyclist to come through.

It wasn't until after I had ate and left that I realized there was no conversation with the people surrounding me.

There are a few possibilities for why this happened :
1. I am unfriendly.
2. They are unfriendly.
3. They were concerned of my unusual cave-woman like appearance
and barbarian eating habits.
or
4. I was zoned and focused on my food - thinking and knowing
 the next time I will be eating something other than oatmeal for breakfast
is a long shot down the road.
Hint : #2 - 4 are clearly* over exaggerated
and
#1 is clearly* more logical.
*everyone is free to have their own opinion.

^^

*

^^

Today could be explained as ... there are no words to describe.

It is hard to truelly tell the type of emotions you face 

while on an adventure

:::

such as

:::

cycling across America.

It was only the fourth day into a tour that is to take around 75 days

and I was already questioning my sanity

and my ability.

I had prepared myself the best I could for time allowing.

But there is only so much you can do.

Nothing can prepare you for what you actually face when on the road.

*

I had a late start  departing @ 12:30pm.
It didn't  take long for me to find myself cursing my bike seat, my handlebars, and my helmet.
All 3 caused a day full of pain.
A very long day.
I found myself taking pictures of road kill.
Three to note :
Owl

rattlesnakes by the dozen
and
a horse.
This was all along a steady 34 mile climb to my first summit of the day
 Ochoco Pass 4,720'

A fairly untraveled road where most (ahem, all) of
my conversation was held with the animals
on the other side of the fence.
You know, a simple
moooomooo
baaabaa
neighneigh
or occasional tweet of a bird.
I found the cow easiest to strike up a friendly chat.
*

These were along the road while climbing up to Keyes Creek Pass Summit.

They were unexpected.
 fun.
and needed.




I hit my second summit
Keyes Creek Pass 4357' a couple hours later.

I was very tired and miserable at this point..
I tried to show it on my face for the picture I sent out to my family.
My mom was able to read the eyes and non-smile.
There was another 32 miles to be covered before finding a place to sleep.
With it already being 7PM, I was pushing to make it with sunlight to spare.
Although the road traveled at a gradual decline, pedaling was still very necessary due to wind.
It was a very lonely stretch.
Not one car passed.
I was tired of dealing with the thoughts in my head.
MUSIC. DUH. I put my headphone on.
It took me through the John Day Fossil Beds.
Which were neat...maybe more remarkable
if I was more coherent at the time.

Positive this river was flowing UP the mountain.







*
When I approached Dayville, the sun had set and not one open sign was on.
I wanted a shower and a bed.
My maps show a hostel is available.
Well after following direction on the office of a lodging area I was to ring the triangle bell..if no answer ring the buzzer...if no answer call such and such number.
I called the number, interrupted his dinner, and slept in a very
overpriced 'hostel' style sleeping arrangements.
Bonus...fresh cherry trees along the porch.