Big climbing day!

Today was a big day for us, starting off at the wonderful Eagle Rock Inn near Nimrod, yes Nimrod Oregon. We had a wonderful but short stay with Robert and Nancy at their B&B, and I highly recommend stopping by if you are ever in the area. It was beautiful, set right on the McKenzie River. 

We had a good morning, steadily climbing up the Cascade Mountains toward Santium Pass. We were supposed to go through McKenzie Pass but it still is closed due to remaining snow. Santium adds another 20 miles and a lot more traffic, something we’ve definitely had enough of so far. As the miles went by the climb got steeper and steeper, going towards the top. We needed fuel and had only one chance to get it, at a campground at Clear Lake, on the way up. Unfortunately they only had snacks so we feasted on salty snacks and Coke, not exactly what we had in mind. 

Back up the mountain we went, getting closer and closer to the top. I thought we had another 15 or so miles to the top when the road sign said there would be a six mile downgrade. I was so deflated, thinking we would be going down, just to have to climb up again. Luckily we spoke to some other tourists who informed us that we had already passed the summit and we’re heading down. Sweet relief!

We spent the next hour and a half descending the other side of the pass into a small town called Sisters, where we got a (very cheap) motel and went off to dinner and some ice cream to celebrate our big day. Another 71 miles and over 5,000 feet climbed. 

On to another day, where we are hoping to make 94 miles with about half the climbing tomorrow. 

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1wp-eMMh76SrYaflvJGkHMfoAr8hhyrNY
Leaving the Eagle Rock Inn

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=10ilhtrOKMYNplmMO7M-RRfwCIiU_pxWpSnow covered Mount Washingon(?)

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=10QDMF7N2Z3pE-a1sSsl_SsQpAog2hUm2
Clear Lake


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