This morning I wake up to a crisp 42F, not unusual for the place I spent the night. The hot coffee tastes really good, and after I have put on three (3)! layers and my Klim jacket I'm ready to go. I trace back to Hwy-97 and go South over the Blewett Pass in the Wenatchee Mountains. Climbing up to 4124 ft at 7 o'clock in the morning at those temperatures is not ideal, and even with the sun above the horizon, but too low to shine into the valley, I'm glad for my seat and grip heating. But it is a fun ride anyway, and I will do some more climbing of passes along US-97, not that heigh anymore, and later this morning with temps more agreeable. After Ellensburg, WA I pass the US Military Res. Yakima Training Center and make a quick stop in Yakima, WA for a late breakfast. From here I enter the valley with once again plenty of apple, plum, and peach orchards, and the air is full of the smell of the different fruits which are currently harvested. I cross the Columbia River at Maryhill, WA and continue to Biggs. OR from where I climb and descend into the big plaines of Oregon. There is not very much to see in this part of the state, and the view left, right, back or ahead is pretty much the same. Grain harvest is already done, and the land looks pretty barren. After having seen my camp site destination in Redmond, OR I decide to go on to make it all the way to Klamath Falls, OR. I pass through the Mt. Jefferson and Three Sisters Wilderness Area, with the Great Sandy Dessert to my left, and running through the Fremont Mountains down to the Upper Klamath Lake. As I still try to decide on my place to stay for the night, the dark clouds following me since Bend, OR on my way South decide for me as they empty their content on me. Since it is no fun to set up camp in the rain, a motel room has to do.
It was once again an interesting day, especially entering the Columbia River heights and all those hundreds of wind turbines standing still up there. If this is the substitute for the energy production we try the cease, then what is the substitute to those when there is no wind. I wonder how this can be an economical beneficial business since in my three weeks till now, I have seen many wind parks, but none of them had their turbines turning. Anyway, someone is making money.
My plans for tomorrow are still in the air. Traveling further South i.e. Hwy-97 will give me rain all day, but perhaps not at the evening, turning further East lets me miss some parts in Northern California or even Nevada. Somehow I'd like to get to Reno, NV or South Lake Tahoe, CA, if I just could convince the weatherman.
Below some impressions of the day:
Crooked River High Bridge, OR (new / old)
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