Thursday, September 21, 2017

Wednesday, September 20, Day 5

Within two short turns of the campground, we had to cross a large busy highway.  There was a left turn lane to help achieve that, but it was hair raising to get there.  But, we were dry.

We wound around through farming areas. Almost no one was out and about on the farms that I could see and traffic was fairly light.

Around mile 20, rain started.  I pulled off the road under a tree to put my gear on and continued.  I did less looking at the scenery with the rain. 

Pulling into rest stop #1, it seemed like the rain was stopping, but it was just a momentary lull.  The rest stop was at a winery that still had grapes on the vine.  Fall is harvest time.

Shortly after leaving the stop, the rain returned and eventually started pouring as we were approaching Salem, Oregon's state capitol.  We were on the Oregon Scenic Byway but it was hard to see a thing.  It would probably seem more scenic on a better weather day.

Once in town, I met up with two other riders at the rest stop.  We proceeded together.  The forecast at the time was for the rain to end in another hour.  The turns were a bit tricky in town and particularly when we came to what seemed like the end of a bike trail.  We missed a turn and went about 2 miles before we realized there was a problem.  With directions over the phone, we returned to the intersection and found our way.

True enough, the rain stopped within the hour.  I continued on while the other two cyclists took a short break.  

With dry roads, mostly free of traffic as we returned to a more rural setting, I turned it up to a high gear and booked for the campground.  

Including the detour, it was an 80 mile day!  It was great to finally arrive.  Our afternoon "snack" was some delicious cheese from Rogue Creamery.  Delicious.  We got to enjoy it at a winery just a 1/4 mile away, Lady Hill, where tastings were available.

By the time we returned, dinner was being served.

The picture is of a sign I have seen just here and there in people's yards, like an election sign.  I like the message and will see if I can get one.

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