The day started out in John Day, by the John Day river, down the road from Dayville, a day that had it's ups and downs. We left John Day at 11am after oatmeal and a haircut, arrived in Unity at 5pm, with no stops except sightseeing. Yeah, that's 6hrs of riding over hill and dale, or is it hell and day. The scenery is wonderful, but what makes it so nice are the hills,giving you lots of views and lots of pain. Two of the major hills required a distraction, so we fired up the ipod and played name that tune, a game which requires one person to guess what's playing on the ipod by what's being sung to the music by the other. I could always guess what Laura was singing, she didn't have a chance at some songs I sang. I'm pretty bad. No, I'm real bad. Blame it on being out of breath, How do you match Celine when your huffing and puffing up a hill? We haven't figured the total elevation for the day, but it has to be about 4000 feet. On a six mile hill at 4mph, it takes 1.5hrs just for the one hill. That's lots of songs.
Upon arrival in Unity, it doesn't take long to realize that it's not a tourist destination. One store with gas station, 2 saloon/cafes, and a couple of occupied houses, with many more unoccupied. Trailers everywhere, most of them junk. Our motel? is a row of rooms/hovels that are about 10 by 10, with the paint peeling off, no tv or radio, with a window facing a corral filled with braying donkeys and barking dogs. It does have hot water. We showered a walked to the saloon/cafe, worried about the dinner. It actually was good, served in a bar with 5 or 6 locals drinking beer. They didn't even raise an eyebrow when I told them we were riding cross country. Just commented on the sunburns. The owner/cook/waitress/grandma had her hair pulled back in a severe bun, but I couldn't help noticing the one long gray hair sticking out of her jaw. One of the locals gave us each a quarter so we could play their game of dice for the pot they run up, but of course we lost to their amusement. So back to the room/hovel and silence, except for the corral noises. Tomorrow we go to Vale, about 70 miles but thankfully downhill. My ass is sore again, rough day, and this place is lacking handicap railing in the bathroom so I can't sit. Onward.
4 comments:
Hi Larry and Laura. I've been reading your blogs and watching your exciting trek with great interest. Larry...sorry to hear about your sore ass. (I thought Miller and I chewed most of it off at one point) Glad to hear they grow back. You're both going to need a 'sitz-bath' when this adventure is over. Good luck.
Wheels
I wonder if they do have 80 SPF. That sunburn thing could really become a bad deal. I'd have paid a quarter - maybe more - to hear you guys singing to each other. The daily blogs go perfect with a cup of java. Keep pluggin.
Wheeels, I didn't know you were such a caring guy, great to hear from you. We are ready get out of here, after a night listening to the donkey braying/hiccuping/clearing it's throat/having seizures. There are at least 15 pomeranians in the yard outside the door, and they barked all night too. We ate breakfast at the Water Hole, same place. Forgot to mention last night the sign over the bar with a smoking pistol that says I DON'T DIAL 911.As if they would respond anyway.
dang, that's a long day, glad you are keeping spirits high with name that tune and gambling.
well dad, after this trip, it sounds like you will be an expert at the "hover" technique.
btw, i always look forward to each day's "hot water update"
so, how many miles have you logged? although i guess it may be too early to start counting down miles =)
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