TransAm - Day #89

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Trip Start May 04, 2007 Previous
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  Eugene, Oregon
Wednesday, August 1, 2007

Eastern Oregon is what you assume all of Oregon to be - forested. For a period, traveling west from Sisters, Oregon, we rode on a highway flush with the forest floor. On either side were Ponderosa pines, masculine in size. They exhibited a reddish-tan bark in large plaques that lit up to the early morning sunshine. The underbrush had been burned (planned or unplanned) so one could see for 100 plus yards before the cumulative numbers began to obstruct the view. I sensed we were riding through a forest park. One could see both the trees and the forest.
For a recent couple of nights I slept under the stars. It was a bit more humid than expected; my sleeping bag was damp in the morning. Last night was our final camping night. I pitched under a giant (surely 5 feet in diameter) Douglas fir tree alongside the McKenzie River. The latter served as our bathing site - although for me it was merely two quick submersions. The water was quite chilly. I slept 9 hours; one of my best evenings.
This morning we had a funeral pyre with my tent - a small (even to the critical eyes of representative grandchildren), single person structure that collected condensation inside and began to leak. Perhaps as punishment for burning the tent, no later than 30 minutes after breaking camp, I had my first flat tire. Several of the groupies jumped to aid me and like a NASCAR pit crew, had me back on the road in short order. One day short of trip conclusion and I have my first flat. Not bad however for >4000 miles.
Everyone is in particularly good humor and supportive of one another because tomorrow we reach the Pacific - Florence, OR! After dipping our front wheel in the Pacific, we will have a farewell dinner in Florence. Friday morning we are shuttled back to Eugene where bikes are packed for shipping and bicyclists fan out with varying travel agendas. As for me, I will be home Saturday evening thankful for having the opportunity, with God's granted will and strength; and family's and friends' encouragement, to have been immersed in this spectacular country.

James

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