Saturday morning we woke up in Dayville and had another great meal, including pie, at the Dayville cafe. We visited a bit with the new owner of the Dayville mercantile, and then headed out toward Mt Vernon. Sadly, the antique shop where I played music with the locals 20 years ago was no longer. We passed thru John Day during the hottest part of the day, so we sat and had a couple beers at a brewery before Greg insisted on a blizzard at the local DQ.
We ended the day in Prairie City, where 20 years ago we sat in a hot tub with a high school kid overlooking the Strawberry Mountains. We didn’t see trace of him, and his parent’s restaurant— the Branding Iron— appeared to be gone. We are Mexican food at a place called El Cocinero, stopped at the grocery store, and then headed back to camp.
However! On riding back to our campsite, we happened to see a back alley entrance to an apparently secret bar, the Branding Iron! We walked in, and Greg quickly realized that we were in the back of the Mexican restaurant in which we’d just eaten! Wild. We had a couple drinks, played some shuffle board and then retired.
The next day was perhaps the most challenging day of the trip. Three separate climbs totaling over 3000 feet, and heat over 90 degrees. We ran out of water just as we reached the 3rd summit, with another 12 miles to go before the campground (mostly downhill). It’s only the 2nd time ever while touring that I’ve flagged a passing truck to see if they were willing to give us some water. Fortunately a very nice British lady driving a white Ford F450 was willing to oblige with multiple bottles of cold water.
Union Lake campground on Phillips lake was really splendid. We got in with a couple hours before sunset, and had a swim before dinner and an early goodnight.
Today was just about 20 miles into Baker City, where once we spent 2 days carousing with world traveler and adventurer extraordinaire Brian Barrows. Greg tells me he has an entertaining YouTube channel now!
Anyway, we picked up a UHaul, and Greg delivered me to the Boise airport after we’d dropped off my bicycle at Bob’s bike shop in sprawling Boise.
I think it’ll be a few days before my butt fully heals, but it was well worth it to catch up with old friends in hauntingly familiar places. Till next time, keep the rubber side down friends!
