2012 IMBC - Day One - Gotta Get There From Here

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It has taken me a day or two to regroup and get started on my blog recaps of our awesome 2012 IMBC.  I must say it was a great trip and it was so nice to get together with those bloggers I've met before and to meet some new friendly faces as well. 

As you know the players on the stage were Sonja, her husband Roland, Bobskoot, Richard, Troubadour and myself, Erik and Karen.   

In keeping with the format I used for the 2010 IMBC, I figured I would do a series of "What I learned" posts.  One for each day.

Day One - Friday July 20, 2012

*  I learned that no matter how hard we try to get out of the house at a specific time we will probably be running a little late.
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*  I learned that the last thing I expect to see on a five lane highway between Lebanon and Sweet Home is a llama on the road.

*  I learned that if you choose not to take your heated jacket liner or winter waterproof gloves with you mid-summer you will inevitably run into rain and cold temperatures within 30 miles of your house.

(Wet bikes for cold riders at Tombstone Pass)

*  I learned at if you take only your tinted helmet visor, it will be cloudy and misting heavily.

(My misty dirty visor at Tombstone Pass)

*  I learned that traffic, even on a Friday morning, sucks between Sisters and Prineville.

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*  I learned that long sweepers through the mountains can be oh so much fun.

(Long sweepers east of Prineville - where we are heading)

(Where we've been)

*  I learned that I would not want to be out there in the middle of nowhere in 1866.

(Sign reads:  H.H. Wheeler - for whom Wheeler County was named, first president of East Oregon Pioneer Assn.  Also US mail carrier from The Dalles to Canyon City.  Was attacked near this spot by Indians, was wounded, mail looted, and coach destroyed, September 7, 1866.)

*  I learned that you can't always find an ideal spot to have lunch on the road, but if you can find shade and have a Monarch chair with you it's all good.  The homemade Tofurky, avocado, lettuce and hot sauce sammiches helped too.

(Lunch stop in John Day)

*  I learned that roadside attractions are best when no other tourists have stopped to play.

(Wagon outside of John Day)

(Back end of wagon)

(View from the wagon)

*  I learned that the wind will come whipping through the plains blowing your bangs into your eyes and making it hard to put your helmet on.

(I must face into the wind to put helmet on)

*  I learned that 340 miles on Max in one day isn't so bad.  It didn't even feel like it had been that far.

*  I learned that an iced cold yummy Starbucks coffee after 340 miles is sooooo good and refreshing.

*  I learned that if you used Virgin Mobile phones which in turn use the Sprint Network - chances are you will not have service in Eastern Oregon no mans land.

*  I learned that if you do not take a camera with you to dinner with new and old friends you won't get any pictures.

*  I learned that if you have decaf coffee at 8:30 pm chances are you will clock watch until after midnight even when exhausted.


Odometer start of Day One:  5544
Odometer end of Day One:    5902
Total miles for Day One:        358 miles (576 km)

.......things I learned on day two - coming up.

- Au Revoir

" We are torn between nostalgia for the familiar and an urge for the foreign and strange.  As often as not, we are homesick most for the places we have never known." - Carson McCullers

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