The scenery along today’s route was varied and very interesting. The first part of the journey went through the high desert. There was scrub growth with cattle grazing interspersed with irrigated fields of green crops. The temperature was 49 degrees when we started and I wore my heated jacket for awhile. The second part was through eastern Oregon’s volcanic mountains. very little grows on the mountains, so all the rain water runs down to the rivers in the valleys. The ride through the canyons is more intimate.

The third part was in south western Idaho, where it was hot (98 degrees) and more high desert. We filled our wet vests 3 times. We are in Twin Falls. Just north of town is a bridge across the Snake River Gorge. It’s one place where it is legal to para-glide. We didn’t see any jumpers today.

There are several motorcyclists here this evening. Most are headed to the MOA rally in Oregon. Two of the bikes have ZLA stickers on their bags. Those are from Revzilla, where Drew works. Beth tried to recruit a couple of women for the Motor Maids.

We are actually very glad to leave Oregon. The state is frozen in the Jimmy Carter era energy crisis. The maximum speed limit on non-interstate roads is 55 mph. This low limit causes everyone to break the law and helps create dangerous situations in passing lanes. Some people go too fast in the passing zones; others refuse to go faster than 59 mph. The other obnoxious Oregon law is that you can’t pump your own gas. If you get caught starting a pump there is a $500 fine. Most stations let motorcyclists put the gas in the tank, but the constant hovering of the attendants is creepy.

The final reason for rejoicing when we crossed out of the state is that Beth had an item stolen off her bike while we were having breakfast at the hotel. Fortunately Drew was able to drop-ship a replacement to our hotel in Oklahoma City. The era of trust is over. Don’t leave anything that isn’t tied down on your parked bike in Oregon.