Bottle in hand, I climb out on this great rock. Since Heaven and Earth began it’s stood a thousand feet above the water. I raise my cup and smile at the sky, and the Heavens whirl until the sun shines out of the West! I could sit here on this rock forever! hanging my hook like the wise men of old. At least I’ll send this to those who came before me here: may the…
The clouds come and go, providing a rest for all the moon viewers. -Issa California It turns out that the next campsite from Ashland is 70 miles away. I hadn’t quite realized this and I spent far too much time this morning running some final errands. I hit the road after 11 and it was already pretty warm. After returning the main route the bulk of this mornings ride was riding up to Siskiyou summit.…
Now is the winter of our discontent. -Richard III, William Shakespeare another day, another play On my second full day in Ashland I really just spent the day doing the last of my errands and recovering, so there is little to report. However the fine folks who run the Ashland Hostel offered to try and get me rush tickets to Richard III which was playing this evening in the outdoor Elizebethan Theatre. Well not…
Prospero Our revels now are ended. These our actors, As I foretold you, were all spirits and Are melted into air, into thin air: And, like the baseless fabric of this vision, The cloud-capp’d towers, the gorgeous palaces, The solemn temples, the great globe itself, Ye all which it inherit, shall dissolve And, like this insubstantial pageant faded, Leave not a rack behind. We are such stuff As dreams are made on, and our little…
Before I arrived who were the people living here? Only violets remain -Issa riding the open range I had made reservations for the Ashland Hostel for today and the problem with reservations is you are constrained to make them! From Crater Lake to Ashland it’s a good two day distance but of course the campground isn’t right in middle. This led to today being a long ride, the longest so far of the tour. I…
peaceful in mind getting up going to bed in mountains -Santoka lightning fires Today’s long climb was back up to a Crater Lake and the high point on the rim of over 7000 feet. Of course I did this yesterday unloaded and I didn’t it find it too tough in that condition. It was definitely more work with e full touring load but not overly rough. On reaching the rim I did once again,pull off…
Along the flow I walk and stop -Hōsai Ozaki Crater Lake Through the thin trees at my campsite the sun rose reddish-orange through a haze. Not having to pack up and such I had a leisurely morning but there was still going to be a full day of riding so by late morning I set off. It was about five miles to the park entrance – uphill but seemed so simple without the load. After…
dawn trees dampened by passing rain -Hōsai Ozaki perspective Overnight there was another thunderstorm the first one at. It. Massive flashes of lightning would light up my tent as if a gas lamp was momentarily flipped on. The thunder would echo up from the lake and roll over the hill above me. It rained just a bit awhile latter, but everything was dry when I got up this morning. flashes of lightning illuminate the night…
quote in the high lake country After yesterday’s deluge and a damp morning I spent extra time hanging up everything wet in the sun and let them dry out a bit. Once I was on the road after only five or so miles of riding along Elk Lake and in the thin woods I came upon Lost Lake Campground and Resort where I’d planned on staying last night. The info sign indicated they had showers…
a desolate mountain remains of the setting sun -Hōsai Ozaki the storm breaks On coming down from Santiam Pass yesterday the character of the land had changed back to at dry scrubland with its sage, ponderosa pine and spares undergrowth. The ride from Sisters to Bend was all through land like that with, here and there, evidence of recent fires. It was pretty easy going even as it warmed up with excellent views of a…