Diary of a cycle tour. Day 1-7

I tried to write something every day during this adventure. 

Like a diary. 

No juicy details though. I think. 

Take it for what it is. 

Here comes day 1-7:

Sunday 5/6 Day 1:

Oregon: Portland-Cascade Locks. 74.1 km.

A rainy day off and on. We rode east via Wallmart, Home Depot to find propane but no luck so we rolled on out of Portland. Lunch at Arbey's. Nice chat with Mark Norman who was of Norwegian heritage at a viewpoint. He talked about astronomy and geology. Via waterfalls we reached Cascade Locks where we decided on a hotel after a wet and hilly day.

Monday 6/6 Day 2:

Cascade Locks-Washington State-Oregon-Celilo Park. 75.6 km.

We started the day by cycling over a horrible metal bridge into Washington State, on which you were able too see straight down into the water. Great for a guy with fear of heights. Max heart rate immediately. Then cruise in tailwind past White Salmon and on to The Dalles where we intended to camp in a State Park next to a State Trooper station but they didn't think it was a safe place because of tricky people at night. We were then given a ride by a Trooper who had just left his shift about 14 km to Celilo Park next to the Columbia River. A lovely night shelter.

Tuesday 7/6 Day 3:

Celilo Park-Cottonwood Canyon. 51.6 km.

Continuing with a tailwind until we turned off onto a smaller road. Then it also started to go uphill. The whole day was a fight to the top. When we reached it, it was 8km of AMAZING downhill cycling to the most amazing campsite I've slept at. Off-grid (no cellphone coverage) and nice facilities. If it had been a cloudless night, you would have been able to lie down and look up at the stars and just enjoy life.

Wednesday 8/6 Day 4:

Cottonwood Canyon-Condon. 53.9 km.

Downhill at the end yesterday, uphill at the start of the day today. 14 km!!

Then it was hilly all the way to Condon, but nice downhill at the end.

Decided to free-camp in the city park. But had food and then we changed our minds and switched to a campsite at the other end of town. Of course was free too :-)

Thursday 9/6 Day 5:

Condon-Bear Hollow County Park. 45.2 km.

Into "deepest" Oregon, we cycled downhill 10 miles and then uphill, passed the village of Fossil, had Pork chop with mashed potatoes, gravy and stuffing. Good. Shopped a little.

Stayed as solo guests and slept at Bear Hollow County Park campground.

Friday 10/6 Day 6:

Bear Hollow County Park-Dayville. 55.1 km.

Don't remember much of this day until Dayville. Veronika knew there was a church open to cyclists with showers, laundry, food and sleeping facilities.

The last 30 km we were driven by a French couple who picked up us tired cyclists in their truck. Luckily I sat on the flatbed and kept track of the bikes so Veronika had to keep up the sparse conversation in the truck :-)))

Shortly after the city border where we were dropped off, the pastor in said church shouted at us and pointed us to the church. He was going to soccer practice.

A nice couple from New Zealand/Germany and a woman from California were already there.

Got to know each other and had food.

They slept inside and we outside in tents. Played yatzy to finish. Rainy night. Should have put the bike inside.

Saturday 11/6 Day 7:

Resting at Community Church, Dayville.

Had breakfast, the couple would cycle on despite the rain, in full gear. The rest of us "sat tight" and took a rest day. The woman from Cali had problems with one eye and was possibly going to the doctor on Monday. Rest for the three of us. Took a few short walks through the village. Took 5 minutes back and forth. Ate a poor hamburger at one of two places that were available. The waitress was armed. Ended the evening with yatzy.