Joshua Tree Road Trip 2017

Yet another 5:00 am rising put us on the road by 6:10. After gassing up and espresso in Oakridge, we began our 12-hour drive. John took the first shift and took us over Willamette Pass, which had compact snow and ice. My two shifts involved high passes of 7500 feet and more, rock slide areas, pot holes, and windy roads, but man, was it some gorgeous scenery! A good morning starts with a nice almond milk mocha, extra hot! I was relieved that Willamette Pass was the only section of treacherous road conditions today. It was my first glimpse of the Sierra Nevadas. I couldn't believe how high up we were all day. It was interesting watching the color of the soil change from red to buff. I was quite surprised when early in my first shift, my phone announced we were in California. My first shift and John's second, we were entertained by listening to four podcasts of Radio Lab. It was a great way to pass the time. Before we knew it, we were in Reno, Nevada. The water ...

Our spring break 2017 journey is off to a great start. We had an easy drive from our home in Duvall, WA, to Westfir, OR. Despite the poor weather forecast, we managed to squeeze in a bike ride with sunshine and only a few sprinkles at the end. We started by driving into Oakridge, just beyond Westfir, to seek a recommendation from the local bike shop, Mountain Mercantile, for a trail to ride. There we met Olivia, a kind and helpful woman with a good sense for people's skill level and desired experience. We inquired about Alpine, but she said it was currently not rideable because it was still snowed in. It varies from year to year, sometimes being ridden from the top in January, but this year, perhaps not until May. She recommended two rides for us: the North Fork Trail (of the Willamette River) and another ride along the lake that involved a 45-minute drive. We opted for the nearby North Fork Trail back in Westfir, which is where we are staying anyways. True to her description, ...