Date: Wednesday, June 25, 2003

From: Welches, OR

To: Kah Nee Ta, OR

Well, what a beautiful day it was today. We were loading the truck at 5:45 AM. I finally learned how to use ABB’s floor pump. I have been frustrated for the first two days because I could not seem to get the pump to work right. That problem has been solved. I put in extra pressure this morning to make up for that which I lacked the last two days.

This morning I had a waffle for breakfast. A group of us started out together. It was quite a convoy. A dozen riders single file up the mountain. The real climbing begins at Rhododendron. The group started to break up the further along we climbed. A great guy name Steve, from Wisconsin, rode with me, or rather I rode with him. Whatever!

Here’s the best part! Late last night I checked with Sara, MaryLou Johnson’s daughter, to see if the Huckleberry Inn still made fresh maple bars each morning. The answer was affirmative. So, you know the rest of the story. Steve and I went off route to the Huckleberry Inn and had a huge maple bar, dripping with maple frosting. I also bought one for a couple of new friends, Mary and Dan. When they arrived at the rest area in Government Camp, I handed them a fresh maple bar. They also are wonderful folks.

I had been teasing Mary because she failed to sign in twice on the first day. That is a big no no! Well, guess who failed to sign in this morning at the luggage truck. You guessed it! Yours truly.

Well, a lot of beautiful scenery today. It is fun to watch and listen to everyone exclaim how beautiful every view, every mountain, and every prairie is, and it is all in my own back yard. Steve and I really cranked! At times on the flat we were doing mid 20s. I hope I don’t pay for this tomorrow.

We were with a group of 12 or so riders that were first to Kah-Nee-Ta. As your reward you get to help unload the luggage from the truck. Everyone is great about pitching in. Mike, our leader, had cautioned us last night that some people’s bags were too heavy. Two women unloading mine indicated to me that mine was one of those bags. I will be giving Barb some things to take home with her when she gets to Boise in a few days. You can’t believe how many creams and lotions one needs for a ride like this. I may go into detail on a later day after you get to know me better.

Here was the surprise of the day. After I had been at the lodge for about an hour, a rider came up and said Carol was along side the road and wanted him to tell me Hi! Carol Thornberry, a retired administrative assistant of mine, was in Kah-Nee-Ta. She has been following the website and was in the area. I have so many great friends. The way my friends care never ceases to amaze me.

I have been getting many emails from friends who are following along. Thank you so much for writing. Kah-Nee-Ta does not have very good web access so I will have to forgo the pictures until tomorrow night from Prineville.


I plan to ride at an easier pace tomorrow. Friday is our first really tough day, 117 miles. I have to go off to dinner. An hour ago I had three huge pieces of Indian Fry Bread and a large Coke. What a great combination for a bicyclist! You just can’t believe how much and what I eat these days.

Thanks for joining me. Have a great day tomorrow and be safe.

Click here to see more pictures from today!