Dust Storm on a recently dry lake bed
It was quite an enjoyable trip heading up 395 toward the Oregon line. Although I was only travelling in California for three or four days, it felt like I had abruptly transitioned from the summer heat of 96 in death valley, up to freezing temperatures at 6000-8000 ft. Regardless of numb fingers and toes, the beauty of my surroundings captivated my attention and propelled me further northward.
The Abbot Rim
The route through central Oregon kept me east of the Sierra Nevada's and Cascade ranges where wind and rain continued to pelt the locale. East of the mountains, the dark and dense clouds raced past on the southerly wind but rarely dropped rain. It was significantly cooler so any break of sunshine in the day would find me drying gear on a beach or just stopped in the lee of a bush to warm my bones in the sun.
oh deer.
home on the plain..
Each day I rode about 200-250 miles and interested myself in the variety of geologic processes at work in this busy and complicated region. When the clouds cleared, I was treated to spectacular views of the former volcanoes of the Cascade Range. The snow covered Mt. Bachelor and Mt. Hood were navigational landmarka on my ride and kept appearing over a hill or copse of pines.
Deschutes River
Pyroclastic Stratigraphy
Mt. Bachelor and the Deschutes River Canyon below
Nearing the coast, I took a turn toward Portland by way of the Sands River and descended toward the sprawl of the city. I have a couple wonderful and hospitable friends in town who looked the other way at my rugged and filthy likeness. A shower awaits!
Fall colors and Moss in Plum Valley
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