Shortest and Hardest Day of the Whole Trip
173 miles. Took me all day, and I was working hard at it. Of course, Covid complicated things. I think it took 4 rest stops to get it done. I'd ride a ways then find a wide spot and rest for a while before I could go on. I probably need to go back this way because the only thing I remember clearly on the whole ride was a stretch of bad road.
23 miles. They had chip sealed the road and didn't bother to sweep it off at all. I can't explain how treacherous this condition was, the loose gravel on top of fresh smooth asphalt made it really tricky, especially downhill. 23 miles, and no way to go around. Took me darn near an hour to ride it.
Complicated by the fact that I felt like hammered dog shit by the time I got to this. I had some extra body pains but my brain was foggy and fuzzy as could be, and I had 0 energy. I was entirely focused on just making the Lane Creek Campground. It took about 8 hours...
By the time I made it to the Lane Creek entry road I no longer cared about road condition or dignity. I rode into the campground with my feet near the ground because I didn't trust my balance anymore. I took this picture next day, you an actually see my left trailer wheel track right in the center. I was barely moving.
I didn't do a real good job of picking a campsite or setting up my tent. Look at the slope of the tent, for instance. I didn't put in tent stakes or go through the normal set up procedures. I just wanted it up and a bed to climb into.
I didn't eat a bite for around 24 hours. I had a sandwich just after the bad road and didn't eat again 'til the middle of the following day. I did make coffee and drink plenty of water during my stay.
I knew I had a fever, and I went to bed before the sun was down. Some time during the really dark part of the night I must have been thrashing in my sleep because the cot partially collapsed, rolled me completely over so that I tipped the whole tent on it's side with me completely wadded up inside. I couldn't figure out what I needed to do to even get out and THEN realized that I had to pee. I absolutely slithered out to the dirt. I'm sure it would have made an insanely funny video if it weren't me as the star.
This is what the tent looked like after the sun finally came up. You can see my flashlight that lives in that pocket on the cot. Notice my hat. I'm dammed glad my head wasn't in it. You can also see the emergency strap that I didn't bother hooking up the night before... Would have prevented the cot collapse.
So I stayed right here an extra day. I did start feeling better early in the afternoon, I moved the tent, secured the cot and generally set up the campsite. I took no more pictures, so you will just have to trust me.
So now that I've got my whining out of the way I'll head on to see family. Next time :)
All words and photos in this post are mine. For better or worse.
Wow, that sounds like a pretty horrible ride. The scenery is beautiful though. That campsite is pretty awesome! All that lush green is just amazing. I am glad it only lasted a short time for you. It would have been bad if you had major symptoms for more than a couple of days.
It was beautiful, I think :) I was sitting on my camp chair in a chain up area when a flock of at least 10 goldfinches flew into a pine tree all at once. I didn't even have the energy to take my phone out of my pocket but they gave me a pretty good show for several minutes...
I was only really sick for 24 hours, felt bad for 48 more, then just had sniffles and low energy. It really wasn't bad... And if you have to be stuck in the middle of nowhere the place I was at was pretty nice.
Very good point! Location makes all the difference!
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I went to the same campground on the way home. This time I was just completely used up, all I wanted was to get set up and to bed. The next time I chose a completely different site. This one was next to the bathroom :) My only excuse and pretty lame.
Umatilla National Forest is in the 'rise up' to the Blue Mountains. They get gobs of snow but not too awful much rain. It truly is a wonderful place.
One other note. This campsite is less than 10 miles from the barn I promised you. I didn't even notice it this trip :)
Thank you! I really appreciate a dedicated space to publish my camping posts.
It's always welcome Tom.
Nothing worse than feeling that sick you just wish the destination would arrive quickly, roads never helped either!
Beautiful spot, hopefully one day to return and enjoy to the full, glad to hear you managed to break the fever, start recovering!
Take care and keep well, these gremlins are nasty of late.
I did return on my way home. It was sort of accidental, but I spent another night at this very campground going south. Turned out to be a really cool stay.
Stuff always has a way of working out, it seems.
Getting back when feeling better must have been a way to let you know it was a beautiful place when feeling a little better. Bad news getting ill when out on a long tour, as you said it turned out well in the end.
Oh!! Would you look at that gravel? Now, that is a dicey dance and a little cruelty on their part to leave it that way. What a sublimely scenic route and I am so sorry that you couldn't really appreciate it, but, glad you wrote about it. Although it is definitely stunning, your storytelling abilities are always enjoyed.
The greens are on steroids in that part of the country. It rots that you had Covid then, but, glad it was short-lived, even if you felt the effects for a month after.
I have to give you credit, Tom @bigtom13 Even when life hands you crap luck, you made it a memorable trip. ❤️
I did some research while I was recovering at my brother's place (turns out to be the next stop. And the official free Oregon map is the best in the west) and it would have added over 100 miles to my trip and completely changed my route. So it's good I didn't know about the road until I was on it. The area I was in has a population density about the same as Death Valley, and the construction sign on that end said "Loose Gravel". Nothing more :) On the other end the sign said 'for 23 miles'. Since I didn't fall down it was the right choice. I passed exactly one vehicle the whole way, so I had the whole thing to myself. I've found myself in less passable places.
I think the reason why they called them the Blue Mountains is because Green Mountains was already taken in New Hampshire. It is lush and wild. Alpine pastures mean fat cows in deep grass :)
Thanks for stopping in Denise. It's great to have you along.
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