At the Oasis eating huevos rancheros

eating huevos rancheros in Juntura, OR

At the Oasis eating huevos rancheros and getting some hot coffee in me. Might have some more eating this afternoon. Slept off the road in a gravel shack for sanding the road. 37* last night and I could see fresh snow up in the mountains.

This morning I woke up warm and cozy in the gravel shed.  I wasn't sure if the wind was going to work with me and I was already mentally prepped not to make it all the way into my grandparents place in Nampa before days end.  I kind of lazily got going after sipping my green tea for breakfast.



It was still damp outside from the rains we had, and I could make out snow on the mountains to the north east of me in Oregon.  I was happy to sleep in the shelter last night as at least I was leaving my camp dry instead of wet and dewy.

Back out on HWY 20 I pedaled down the rest of Stinking Water Pass and crossed the Stinking Water River.  Right across the river I began another long climb.  This would be repeated several times this morning until I made it over Drinking Water Pass.  After Drinking Water Pass I entered some long valleys and pedaled my way into Juntura, OR.

first leg of the morning, nice to get warm on these climbs

I rolled into the Oasis, a little cafe for a late breakfast.  The waitress was quite surly here even though the food was good.  She finally blew up on me at the request of : "may I have some more coffee with my meal?"  Many of the other patrons inside kind of laughed at the situation and I just let it go not engaging with the waitress anymore as I just wanted to enjoy my food.  Not sure why she took it out on me as I always tip well for good service and I am not a bum.  I guess she didn't like the bike touring guy or something... she was definitely having a bad day and down right nasty to me though from the time I showed up until the time I left.  Bizarre.  The food was excellent though, so that off set any negativity coming from her.

now I am following the Malheur River

It tried to rain half hearted again leaving Juntura, but it never amounted to much.  Didn't even have to put on my raingear.  Just outside of town I crossed the Malhuer River and began a long slow descent following the course of the river almost to the Snake River.  It was really pretty and quite scenic along the river canyon.  I would have really liked to fish some of these waters, but was interested in making time today and getting as close to Nampa, ID as possible.

now the terrain is flattening out a little and I have left the Malheur River

Stopped in to refill my water bottles at a small store.  It was all farmers in there shooting the breeze.  Good folks.  Back out on the highway I was bucking a little bit of a headwind so it seemed to take forever to make it to Vale, OR.  I finally did though and pedaled slowly through town.  I almost missed my turn off here to the south on Water St.  This ended up being my back way into the town of Owyhee, OR.  It basically followed the route of the historic Oregon Trail.  Virtually no traffic and really cool desert scenery.  I made a pass here and had a awesome long downhill to almost the crossing of the Owyhee River.  I don't know why but I had a strange craving for candy bars and stopped at one small store and ate a Snickers, then pedaled 10 miles and got another candy bar.  I guess that just goes to show what a flash in the pan high fructose corn syrup is for someone like me.

now south out of Vale along the old Oregon Trail