Sent: Monday, June 23, 2008 2:03 PM
To: Rutledge, David
Subject: Eastern Oregon
I just rode in to a tiny town called Mount Vernon. It was an awesome ride downhill through desert canyons.
So far the trip has been awesome. We are going a little slower than I would like, but we are finding our groove and expect to pick up the pace starting tomorrow.
Coming over the cascades was an amazing experience. The uphill was grueling but the downhill was certainly worth it. We went about 50 miles uphill, with the last 25 miles being the most rigorous. Once we got over Santium pass we entered the high desert and made our way down to Sisters, Oregon, where it started to rain. We rode through the rain and by the time we got to Redmond we were seeing some amazing lightning storms. They eventually passed us by however, and we were able to sleep by the side of the road without a tent.
We expect to reach Baker City either late tomorrow, or early the next morning. Then from there we head east to Idaho where we may head northeast to Montana or straight east to Wyoming.
talk to you soon
-Zach.
From: Zach McCuin
Sent: Saturday, June 28, 2008 10:40 AM
To: Rutledge, David; Tougas
Subject: Idaho.
I just made it to Idaho yesterday.
The trip has been wonderful so far, rough at times, scary at times, but always a learning experience.
Baker City, Oregon was awesome. We decided to take a day off (After climbing 3 mountains in a day it was much needed). In Baker City we ran into a young man named Adam who was squatting in an old abandoned warehouse, he invited us to stay for the night and share a meal with him. It was nice to sleep under a roof, even if it did have holes. Adam had been living in Baker City for 6 months and had stayed at the warehouse undisturbed most of that time. He frequented the library and enjoyed spending most of his time reading. Quite an interesting person. He gave me his parents number in Kentucky and recommended I swing by their house on my way through, I think I may do that.
Passed Baker City we ran into a lot of desolation. It was hot, dry, and there weren't many trees for shade. After about 75 miles of riding, we decided to stop at the one spot by the road that had shade.. A plum tree infront of a farm house. It seemed like a great spot to relax after a hard days ride, but as we were stretching our tired muscles we heard the boom of a shotgun and bullets hitting the bush right beside us.
Tired or not, the adrenaline pumping through our veins after being shot at carried us at least another 4 miles. When we finally stopped we both cursed Eastern Oregon and it's deserts and barbed wire fences, it's territorial farmers with their no trespassing signs and shotguns.
It was a relief when we rolled into Boise, ID.
People in the cities seem a lot more friendly.
We will be spending a day in Boise to do some minor repairs to the bikes and stock up on dried food. Tomorrow we head east again through the desert. We are thinking of hitchhiking part of the way through the Idaho desert so that we may spend an extra day in Yellowstone.
I hope you are having a great Summer,
I have included a few pictures, sorry they are so big.
-Zach.
