Warm and Dry in Klamath Falls...

I got to the Best Western Olympic Inn in Klamath Falls, Oregon, at 4:00 PM and this is how the first day went:

I loaded the bike up at 9:00 AM. Started it at about 9:30 and climbed on. Before heading out I looked to the east and saw some pretty dark clouds so I got off the bike put on my rain chaps and headed east. I'm glad I put the chaps on so they could act as a windbreaker as it was just above 40 degrees when I left. 45 minutes later in Sandy, Or., I pulled over and put the rain jacket on as well as switched to my warmest "snowmobile" level gloves. This proved to be a good decision. First the jacket allowed me to put on the hood and cover my freezing ears, since I couldn't find my wool cap. It also added more wind protection to my upper body as the temperature was starting to dip closer to 40 than 50. As I got about 10 minutes out of Sandy the additional clothing proved even better as it started to drizzle. Nothing real heavy, but glad to be dry.

As I approached the pass at Government Camp (right below Mt. Hood), the rain turned into pellets and it felt like I was being pelted with little bbs. Not fun. However, it wasn't snow and it wasn't sticking. A couple hours earlier there was a light dusting of snow on the road at Govt. Camp. Lucky for me this was melted and warn away and the only problem was being hit in the face with the sleet. Since it was cold and raining and Mt. Hood was completely hidden by the clouds and fog, I chose not to stop for a picture but to forge south to the high desert and hopefully sun.

Upon reaching Warm Springs, Or., the sun did come out. It was mostly cloudy, but no more rain and this would prove to be true for the rest of the day. It was still cold and it still looked like precipitation a possibility so the rain gear stayed on. Again, a good choice for  protection from the cold, biting wind. Speaking of wind, as I headed south on 26 towards Madras the wind came out of the west in a steady gale feeling as though it was going to lift my helmet right off of my head in spite of the strap under my chin. Every once in a while the wind would gust and I felt as though it would push me over into the north bound lane and into oncoming traffic. Didn't happen and shoulders got a little cramped up holding the bike upright and centered.

Around 1:00 and166 miles from starting out this morning I pulled off the road to fill up with gas and some nourishment at a Subway/Shell station midway between Bend and Sunriver and half way to today's stop in K Falls.

Back on the road I ran into a little road construction around La Pine. Not bad, but did come to a complete stop a couple of times. From then on highway 97 was a delight to ride. Very little traffic and pretty good road surface made for some good riding for the last 130 miles to K.Falls. On this stretch I had a coyote run across the rode in front of me and a deer feeding on the side of the road. Neither animal sighting a close call with the bike, but a reminder of their presence and to be on the look out and at the ready for any surprises.

This was my first experience riding this stretch of 97. Mostly through woods with snow covered ridges to the west until arriving at Klamath Lake. It's huge!!! Looked to me like a great place to launch a sail boat and spend the day on the water, in August that is. Too cold for that today.

I found the hotel without any problem. When I checked in, the desk clerk told me I could park my bike under the "check in" awning/roof. What a bonus; if it rains tonight, I'll have a dry bike in the morning!
Also, he informed me that hot beef barley soup would be served starting at 4:30. I unpacked the bike, delivered my bags to my room, quickly washed up and then headed down to the lobby for a bowl of hot soup and sourdough bread. That really hit the spot. BW Olympic Inn will be getting top ratings from me.

Two couples from Tacoma rolled in while I was eating my soup. They heading for Reno where apparently there is a rally this weekend. I'll have to stop for a bit on my way through to Virginia City. And in Virginia City, I look forward to meeting up with "Grad School Teaching Assistant Buddy" Dan and his wife Shirley. Two years ago the three of us met up in Carmel, CA. on my way down the coast to Santa Monica to start my Route 66 ride. We had a great evening together and expect the same tomorrow night.

That's it for now.

Miles traveled today = 292
Total trip = 292
Temp range from 38-53 with rain, sleet, sun and wind.