Nebraska Is Really Flat

Today Mom and I were headed east on I 80 when we saw a sign saying "Point of Interest, next right." We debated only a moment before deciding that, despite the lack of specific information, this was something we needed to see. (At 80 mph, there is only a moment to debate, anyway.)

The off-ramp circled around to a spot in between the two directions of traffic. We got out of the car, and it was windy windy windy. (No wonder we'd seen a bunch more windmills! I was glad I was not biking in the westerly direction.) A fenced-in area contained a few interpretive signs, and we went in to read them. And this is how we found the tree growing out of a rock.

The signs also told us about the Sherman Mountains, which explained some interesting rock formations nearby. Of course we had to take some pictures.

The piles of blocky rock masses put me in mind of other things piled high, so I also took a picture of a mountain of a different sort: the mountain o' stuff in the car. (And stellar traveler Maggie! who, although you can't see it very well in the picture, actually has more room in the car than any of us.)

We motored on into Nebraska, stopping for a snack at a very well-appointed rest area. A lush lawn was dotted with concrete picnic tables, each protected by several brick walls (that wind again!). Each one also had its own trash can and a BARBECUE GRILL! I thought this was a little above and beyond. Mom complimented a guy working at the area on how nice everything was, thanking him for his efforts. He replied that it's pretty much a case of there not being anything else to do around there.

We lost an hour somewhere in Nebraska, so were suddenly transported from "in good shape for an early night" to "late for dinner and everything else." Oh, well. We're pretty happy here in another Motel 6, within reach of Iowa City for tomorrow, and Traverse City possibly Saturday!

1400 miles down, 900 to go.

Git Along, Li'l Dogies

Today we were up before the dawn. (Yes, me, before dawn!) We decided to save time by eating breakfast in our room at Motel 6, which, by the way, is a GREAT hotel. Only the things you need and none of the things you don't; clean, comfortable and economical. After taking Maggie for short walk, we were on our way by...8:45 a.m.

Well, if it's not the crack of dawn, at least it's not 7:30 p.m.!

We hadn't gone two miles before we were obligated to stop at a scenic overlook by the Snake River. We weren't very far from the site where Evil Knievel jumped over, Mom explained, adding that the spot he jumped over was much narrower. But just as deep! Looking down into the canyon, I really didn't think I would ever be interested in jumping over it on a motorcycle, no matter how narrow. But to each his own.

After that, we really did make some time. The speed limit is 75 around here, and loosely interpreted. We blasted past sagebrush, strange rock formations, lots of horses and cattle, and yes, two real live cowboys. Git along, little dogies! Too bad I couldn't get the camera out fast enough to take their pictures.

I did manage some pictures of the very stately and beautiful windmills, however...and some giant slabs of rock sticking out of a hill. This part of the country is full of interesting, strange, never-before-seen landforms for an east-coast/midwest girl. The drive I made from Iowa to Portland in 1999 was quite an experience, and I remember how amazed I was then. It's still amazing now.

I have to mention that the weather has been absolutely, unseasonably gorgeous. The highs are in the 60s and even low 70s. It's sunny and beautiful every day! I know we are incredibly lucky, and this was confirmed by a local resident who said normally around this time it's about 25 degrees. Oh, and that two weeks ago they had snow!

Even so, the weather IS holding us up a bit. It's so beautiful we are constantly tempted to stop and take pictures, and when we stop, we simply must sit a bit and take in the sun and the silence and the great, open expanse of scrabbly land and brilliant blue sky. It's tempting to just stay and BE...

but the Mitten awaits.

900 miles down, 1400 to go!

The Journey to the Mitten Begins

Yesterday, Mom and I set off for Michigan from Bend, Oregon. We were going to get an early start. Does 7:30 p.m. count as early? If so, we accomplished our goal.

We landed in Burns last night, 130 miles from Bend. At least we were out of town! And this morning, taking Maggie for a walk, we met the nicest people.

The booming metropolis of Burns, when combined with the nearby town of Hines, boasts a population of about 5,000. It's a pretty quiet, unassuming place in the middle of the eastern Oregon desert. So imagine my surprise when, upon commencing a chat over a triple-decker birdhouse in a neatly-cared-for front yard, it turned out that the owners of the house were from the Basque country in Spain!

Oh! I said. I've been there! and told them about biking from San Cristóbal to Bilbao, busting out my Spanish. Oh! they said. We lived in a town near Bilbao! Would you like to come in and see a picture?

Of course we would.

Well, the blistering pace we had intended to set for today went by the wayside, but we didn't mind. And when we finally left Burns, we only drove 55 miles before arriving in Juntura, home of "The Oasis," a place famous (with my mom) for its delicious, very chocolate-y milkshakes. Of course we had to stop there for lunch.

Then, as we made our way east on Highway 20, we found ourselves in Vale, surrounded by interesting murals depicting life in the town's early days. Of course we had to stop and walk around there, too, and take many pictures!

One stop to pick up a directory of Motel 6's (no pet fee!) and one rest stop later, and here we are in Twin Falls, Idaho.

300 miles for today...2000 to go!

TOMORROW we will set a blistering pace.