Out in the pokie

    Late in the afternoon, as I was settled in at the hotel, a couple staying there, asked  me to join them while they drove over to the painted rocks a few miles away.  The position of the sun highlighted the color of the hills.  The whole park was gorgeous with one spectacular setting after another.  A nice ending to a relaxing day.

   The next morning

I got cranking out of Mitchell at 7:55 and immediately began climbing a mountain for 5 1/2 miles.  Walking took the place of bicycling.  The ride over the other side was the sweetest ride of the trip; canyons, farm land, fast flowing rivers and serene little towns/hamlets along the way.  Almost no traffic and the rednecks were off the road back at work!  I met a couple at a cafe, who have toured all over the world on a BMW motorcycle, including some dubious places like Syria, Egypt and Moracco.  They had so many country decals plastered all over their bike, I could barely see what color was underneath.   Their stories were fascinating; onne meets the most interesting people on the road. 

      I arrived at Mount Vernon and laned  a bed at the Bike Inn just outside of town, donations only, gorgeous setting nestled into a rocky hill. Five newly minted college graduates showed up an hour later, so it was a fun time getting their take on life.  They reminder me of when I hitchhiked the country in 1972,  43 years ago!

     Today it is off to who knows where with three consecutive climbs in front of me; about seventy miles to Baker if I am lucky.  More than likely, I will be camping.  The miles are beginning to add up.  One day at a time, one hill at a time.