August 17-18: Baker City, Oregon to Caldwell, Idaho
The last two nights, I’ve been camping. As a result, I haven’t had internet access. Tonight, in Caldwell, I checked in to a motel for some relief from the heat (it reached 103 in Caldwell, Idaho today). It also is a chance to catch up on posts to the web site.
Besides the heat I’ve been experiencing for the past week of riding (ever since I left Leavenworth, Washington), I’ve had a headwind on my ride yesterday and today. I think this is a good thing. Actually, while I was riding in it, it wasn’t such a good thing, but the 15-25 mile per hour winds from the south today is a sign that the weather is about to change. Sure enough, they’re saying tomorrow (August 19), the high temperatures in the Boise, Idaho area will be about 15 degrees cooler than today and the winds will be from the northwest. Both of those are very good news to me.
Last night, I stayed at the Farewell Bend State Park in Oregon. I stayed in the “Hiker/Biker” campsites which was $5 a night instead of $15 and up for a full service campsite. I woke up several times at night to see a full moon and to hear coyotes howling and yipping in the hills around the campground. It was worth the $5 admission.
As I was unpacking in the motel today, I found half a dozen or so moths had stowed away in my panniers. I hope they like Caldwell, Idaho better than they liked their old home at the Farewell Bend State Park.
