Updated map here:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1VcgH5E3nUHkroyi9MB-IqcSvNsCVAItp&usp=sharing
The map pins that are blueish signify stops that I've already made. Red pins are stops that are planned. This should make it easier to figure out where I am.
6/10: Lakeview, OR to Summer Lake
A 73 mile ride through beautiful open country. I rode this same route in 2017... so it started to look familiar, especially as I got close to the town of Paisley. There were signs in the windows of several of the local businesses which read "Beware, the politicians are coming to take your guns!", including at the Summer Lake lodge where I stayed. Paisley has a population of under 200. Summer Lake is even smaller.
6/11: La Pine, Oregon: Another 73 mile day. This is a larger town, supporting a couple of grocery stores and a Bi-Mart (like a smaller Costco).
6/12: Bend, OR
A real city. Big enough for a Walmart etc. This was an easy ride. Only 33 miles, mostly downhill, following the Deschute river. Best part of the day was dessert at
Bonta Natural Artisan Gelato.
6/13: Madras
Relaxed 50 mile ride with a net 1400 ft descent. I was staying on the North side of town. Across the highway from the hotel was Wild Winds Station bar and grill... a local hangout... where the special was pulled pork. Big portion. I can't believe I ate the whole thing!
6/14: Maupin - Still on the Deschutes river. This is a town mostly consisting of rafting tour operators. My hotel was on the river and was also a rafting ooperator with a not-so-great restaurant.
6/15: Maupin to The Dalles I decided to ride to the next town for breakfast at Molly B's diner about 10 miles north in Tygh Valley. (pupulation 200) Good decision. The Dalles is a significant sized town on the south bank of the Columbia river, about 1 hour east of the end of the scenic port of the Columbia River Gorge. It's a big rail hub, To the east is mostly desert. On 2 prior trips through here, I came from Portland and continued east along the river (sometimes on I-84) . This time, I'm approaching from the south and heading across the river going North. Overall a tough ride (3400 ft climb, but 4300 drop), but only 41 miles.
The Dalles bridge and dam.
On the hill on the north bank of the Columbia
6/16 : Goldendale: After a lovely breakfast at Petite Provence in The Dalles, I headed across the river and up the hill to Goldendale. Nice motel (Ponderosa) for $85 included a full kitchen, so I had corn on the cob and beans for dinner. This being Sunday night, there wasn't much open in town anyway.
6/17: Toppenish : 50 mile ride with 3200 ft vertical. This is a farming town. There are 6 Mexican restaurants... so it has the feel of a small Central Valley town. This is part of the Yakima valley. This town grows a fair amount of hops.
6/18: Kennewick: 70 mile ride, but fairly flat. Tomorrow morning I plan to hit Popular Donuts for breakfast. Last time I was there was in 2013 with Elias, our exchange student from Argentina. On the way to Glacier
