Cycle the Gorge

Foxglove: Scott & Jack playing in the forest: the Sandy River in front of our campground: a view through the trees of tonight's pavillion. 

Ok: I have been a bad blogger.  Due to poor internet access along the way, sheer exhaustion at the end of the day, and just plain old procrastination, I have not kept up on the daily posting of this blog for Cycle the Gorge.  So now is catch up time.  I took notes!  I think I can fill in the blanks!

Day one of Cycle the Gorge started with the tribe gathering at Oxbow Regional Park, just outside of Gresham, Oregon.  As we drove East from Portland to the park, we wandered down country roads lined with Christmas tree farms and berry fields.  The raspberries are just coming on, and fresh cherries can be found at roadside stands.  None of these stands had parking ample for a big yellow truck. :( 

The entrance to the park is down, down, down a steep hill, then down, down, down to the camp ground.  Two miles in all.  That means Sunday morning the tribe gets to go up, up, up.  And some of the grade is about 12-14%.  What a way to start a Sunday morning!  

Our camp ground tonight is nestled in the cedar trees, along side of the Sandy River.  We wandered down the path and found lovely sandy beaches and great swimming.  The water is extremely cold: it's coming right off of Mount Hood.  The tribe crowded into the little parking area, set up bikes and tents, and feasted on a dinner of Spiced Pork Chops, fresh asparagus, Yukon Gold potatoes and a lovely green salad.  They were introduced to Ranger Tommy and his staff: Daryl and Kim from Kentucky, Marker Bob and Linda, on massage, Kevin on luggage, Leo on waterstop, and Jack P. on luggage.  Jack had his luggage scale ready to go to find the heaviest bag on this ride!  

The weather this week was originally projected as hot, hot, hot.  But it looks like we may luck out with cooler days, maybe even a little rain.  The rain is what keeps this side of the mountains so lush and green.  The trees are towering and the underbrush is dense.  You can see in the pictures above the moss that grows on the logs and trees!  

I includes a picture of the Foxglove that is prolific in this area.  I was asked if this was Lupine, because someone heard Lupine is edible.  No guys, this is Foxglove.  Foxglove is a natural source of digitalis, so I wouldn't be eating it any time soon.  

So we are off to a great start and a great week of riding and eating.  On to Sunday.