Day 7, 10 August: Mitchell, OR
A fairly relaxed Day 7 off to recharge at Sunset Vacation Cottage in Mitchell, OR. Sally cooked a wonderful breakfast of eggs, bacon and English muffins!
We met the owner, Barbara Jacobi this morning. She’s originally from Frankfurt, Germany and has a fascinating history. She fell in love with Mitchell, a former rough-and-tumble mining town (hence the nickname “Tiger Town”) and the nearby Painted Hills and has made it her mission to promote the area as a vacation destination, which is having considerable success. She also has a small art gallery/yoga studio on the property, and a tree covered with delicious apricots.
Most of the day was spent catching up on sleep, laundry, e-mails, etc. We had a late lunch/early dinner back at the Tiger Town Brewing Company and drove out to see Painted Hills National Monument. It’s an impressive sight, with layers of exposed soil in various hues due to cycling periods of wet and dry climate conditions.
I carried the tags for Ray Wenderlich and Mark Wheeler today and said a few words about each at evening quarters. Their full Lucky Bag citations and bios from our two company memorial services are posted on the Facebook page. Ray was dynamic and irrepressible, Mark calm and measured. Both were brilliant and good friends, missed by all. Tomorrow I ride again for Ray Herring, also of 1st Co.
Mark has checked out all our bikes. It will be a bit strange getting back in the saddle again. We have an immediate 7-mile climb that doesn’t look too steep (but we’ve been fooled before!). Then a nice descent and a long but gentle climb to John Day, OR – 69 mis total. A bit cool to start but warming up quickly. Onward.
Bill Montgomery
USNA 1973 Ride-2-Remember 
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