The other side of Oregon

[pdedse]

Thanks for the comments, Emptysea, Cormanus.

After the turkey encounter, my ride continued for a mere 10 miles before I had to stop. Some type of flying critters were nailing my helmet, jacket, gloves...about every 3-4 seconds. My mc jacket was open at the neck to let the air pass and a couple of the critters got in and down my shirt...and they bit, or stung...not sure which. Just before the trip on a short ride I had a bee smack me in the neck and he managed to sting me at the same time, now I got two more on the back and arm. Had to pull over, remove jacket and t-shirt and shake things out...which meant another photo opp:







The forest fire haze dulls the colors some. The above photos are south of Fossil on hiway 19 before the tiny town of Spray. The John Day River meanders about to the right of the road, providing water for the agricultural area.





It would be my dream to own a farm house out here, miles from any big city. So much good riding readily available. My wife...not so enamored with the idea. I don't think my answer of "wait for me to return" satisfied her question of "what am I supposed to do while you're out an' about on your motorscooter?" No, she does not ride; no she will not ride with me.




Hiway 19 continues winding its way south by southeast through Kimberly, and then straight south towards the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. At this point I turned back west on hiway 26 to head towards the Painted Desert area.



But if you're ever in this neck of the desert, be sure to head east on 26 towards the town of Dayville and all the way to the city of John Day itself. I rode that about 7 years ago and it's just an awesome ride with twistys, small canyons, gorgeous views:



From the turn on to hiway 26--my farthest away point--it was 35 some miles to Mitchell...out here, if I've already got 60-70 miles on a tank, it's time to fill up because it's easy to get caught on long stretches of road with no facilities in sight. Mitchell actually had two gas pumps--can't really call them stations.



Took an apple and water break at the city park...gas station attendant said it was already over 100 degrees and that the day before they hit 113, what's that, 45c? I thought it best to get going and see the Painted hills before they melted.