Wednesday, May 30, 2007
WYOMING
Hello everyone,
I left West Yellowstone, which is on the border of Montana and Wyoming. Yellowstone was beautiful with lots of wildlife. I stayed at the Old Faithful Inn and had a chance to watch Old Faithful. While leaving Yellowstone, I once again crossed the Continental Divide twice.
Two points of history I think are worth mentioning:
March 1, 1872, President Ulysses S. Grant signed a bill creating Yellowstone National Park, which is 3,470 square miles. It is the first National Park not only in our country, but also in the world.
John D. Rockefeller visited Yellowstone in 1926 and was profoundly impressed with the grandeur of the Teton Range. In 1929, the Grand Tetons received National Park status, but the ranchers did not want to give up their private holdings of the land in the area, so he formed The Snake River Land Company in 1927. He acquired 35,310 acres and deeded the land to the government to be part of the Grand Teton National Park.
I am now in Wyoming, which has been my least favorite state of the ride. It is mountainous, dry, cold in the mornings, and warm and windy in the afternoons. If the wind was not in my face, it was trying to knock me off to the side of the road. The road snakes through the mountains so the wind is basically in your face during the entire day. Speaking of snakes, I was riding up a mountain in slow gear, when I thought I was getting a flat tire. I heard a hissing sound, but it was not a tire, it was a rattlesnake coiled up on the side of the road ready to strike at me. I quickly dodged it. I did not stop, but got a view of it. It was a large snake and I was probably about three feet from it. The closest medical attention would have been back in Lander, Wyoming, and 40 miles from my location.
Lander to Jeffrey City was the toughest day of the ride. It was 60 miles and against the wind. Jeffrey City is an abandoned uranium town. Lots of vacant buildings; however, a few loyal residents remain. This is a place of no phones - there are no phones in the motel room, no phones in the one bar in town, and of course no cell phone coverage. This is a very remote and desolate place.
On Memorial Day, I thought of so many families that have lost a son or daughter in the war. I pray for all those effected by the senseless war.
On your list of places to visit leave off Wyoming. The only bright stars of Wyoming are Yellowstone and The Grand Teton National Park. Both are beautiful.
I have now traveled approximately 1700 miles. Togwotee Pass has been the highest pass for far on this trip.
Until next week,
Larry
I left West Yellowstone, which is on the border of Montana and Wyoming. Yellowstone was beautiful with lots of wildlife. I stayed at the Old Faithful Inn and had a chance to watch Old Faithful. While leaving Yellowstone, I once again crossed the Continental Divide twice.
Two points of history I think are worth mentioning:
March 1, 1872, President Ulysses S. Grant signed a bill creating Yellowstone National Park, which is 3,470 square miles. It is the first National Park not only in our country, but also in the world.
John D. Rockefeller visited Yellowstone in 1926 and was profoundly impressed with the grandeur of the Teton Range. In 1929, the Grand Tetons received National Park status, but the ranchers did not want to give up their private holdings of the land in the area, so he formed The Snake River Land Company in 1927. He acquired 35,310 acres and deeded the land to the government to be part of the Grand Teton National Park.
I am now in Wyoming, which has been my least favorite state of the ride. It is mountainous, dry, cold in the mornings, and warm and windy in the afternoons. If the wind was not in my face, it was trying to knock me off to the side of the road. The road snakes through the mountains so the wind is basically in your face during the entire day. Speaking of snakes, I was riding up a mountain in slow gear, when I thought I was getting a flat tire. I heard a hissing sound, but it was not a tire, it was a rattlesnake coiled up on the side of the road ready to strike at me. I quickly dodged it. I did not stop, but got a view of it. It was a large snake and I was probably about three feet from it. The closest medical attention would have been back in Lander, Wyoming, and 40 miles from my location.
Lander to Jeffrey City was the toughest day of the ride. It was 60 miles and against the wind. Jeffrey City is an abandoned uranium town. Lots of vacant buildings; however, a few loyal residents remain. This is a place of no phones - there are no phones in the motel room, no phones in the one bar in town, and of course no cell phone coverage. This is a very remote and desolate place.
On Memorial Day, I thought of so many families that have lost a son or daughter in the war. I pray for all those effected by the senseless war.
On your list of places to visit leave off Wyoming. The only bright stars of Wyoming are Yellowstone and The Grand Teton National Park. Both are beautiful.
I have now traveled approximately 1700 miles. Togwotee Pass has been the highest pass for far on this trip.
Until next week,
Larry
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
MADE IT THROUGH THREE STATES
Hello everyone,
Hope all is well. I have met my three goals for the first part of the trip, which were to:
1. Get to the top of the Cascade Mountains.
2. Get to Missoula, Montana, which was through the Bitterroot Mountains.
3. Get through Yellowstone. I am now at the west gate of Yellowstone.
I have left my third state and am now through Oregon, Idaho, and Montana.
I have been riding constantly in the mountains. After leaving Missoula, I have been through the following mountain ranges: Beaverhead, Pioneer, and Blacktail Mountains. I have crossed the Continental Divide twice. All the mountains are national forests.
I saw another black bear by the Madison River. I have seen proghorn antelope, big horn sheep, buffalo, fox, and more elk.
I experienced a true mountain storm starting on Monday afternoon. The wind was from the west and by 3:00 or 4:00 p.m. it was gusting about 50 miles per hour. I leaned into the wind, but it was so strong that it blew my bike and me from the shoulder of the road to the other side of the road into a ditch. I have never experienced this while riding. I was still four or five miles from Ennis, so I had to keep one foot on the pedal and one foot on the ground and slowly walk my bike into town. I hated to have to do this, but I felt it was too dangerous to ride.
On Tuesday, it snowed all day from Ennis to West Yellowstone. It stuck on the ground, on my outerwear, and on my bike, but since it was in the low 30's, it did not stick to the road. There was no wind, just snow. It got to the point where I was going stir crazy and not concentrating on my riding and had to force myself to focus.
I have traveled between 1400 - 1500 miles.
All is well, I am tired, but in good spirits.
Talk again next week.
Larry
Hope all is well. I have met my three goals for the first part of the trip, which were to:
1. Get to the top of the Cascade Mountains.
2. Get to Missoula, Montana, which was through the Bitterroot Mountains.
3. Get through Yellowstone. I am now at the west gate of Yellowstone.
I have left my third state and am now through Oregon, Idaho, and Montana.
I have been riding constantly in the mountains. After leaving Missoula, I have been through the following mountain ranges: Beaverhead, Pioneer, and Blacktail Mountains. I have crossed the Continental Divide twice. All the mountains are national forests.
I saw another black bear by the Madison River. I have seen proghorn antelope, big horn sheep, buffalo, fox, and more elk.
I experienced a true mountain storm starting on Monday afternoon. The wind was from the west and by 3:00 or 4:00 p.m. it was gusting about 50 miles per hour. I leaned into the wind, but it was so strong that it blew my bike and me from the shoulder of the road to the other side of the road into a ditch. I have never experienced this while riding. I was still four or five miles from Ennis, so I had to keep one foot on the pedal and one foot on the ground and slowly walk my bike into town. I hated to have to do this, but I felt it was too dangerous to ride.
On Tuesday, it snowed all day from Ennis to West Yellowstone. It stuck on the ground, on my outerwear, and on my bike, but since it was in the low 30's, it did not stick to the road. There was no wind, just snow. It got to the point where I was going stir crazy and not concentrating on my riding and had to force myself to focus.
I have traveled between 1400 - 1500 miles.
All is well, I am tired, but in good spirits.
Talk again next week.
Larry
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
CROSSED THE BLUE MOUNTAINS
Hello everyone,
I chose to start my ride in Astoria, Oregon, as this is where Lewis and Clark ended their exploration. On the route, the Pacific West Corridor, which is from the Cascades to the Ocean, is where I experienced the rain, sleet, and snow. Last week, the weather has been sunny, and I must admit, I am glad to be out of the rain. Temperatures have been in the low 40's and high 70's.
I made it through the Blue Mountains and over the three passes of Dixie, Tipton, and Sumpter. I was glad to get that behind me. I went through Baker City, which is a cool little town in the High Mountain Plateau. I stopped at a National Park Exhibit that was interpretive of the Oregon Trail. In the mid-1800's, tens of thousands of American settlers closed their businesses, sold their farms, and packed up their families for a 2000 mile journey across the Oregon Trail and the mountains to get to the West Coast. The park exhibit was up on a ridge with scenic views of the Blue Mountains where visitors can learn about the environment and what the pioneers experienced along the trail. I can only imagine the challenges that they faced. The exhibit explained that the settlers knew if they made it through the Blue Mountains then they still had to cross the Cascades. Many people died and only one-third of the people made it through the mountains. It has been interesting to observe all of the history.
The last couple of days I have been in the Bitterroot Mountains, which have been mostly in Idaho. After today, I will be leaving the Bitterroot Mountains over Lolo Pass for a rest day in Missoula, Montana. The Bitterroot Mountains are beautiful with no services for over 70 miles. I had to carry extra water. Last night, I stayed at the Wilderness Inn, and believe me, it was in the middle of the wilderness. The towns are very small and very rustic (Lowell had a population of 23). I have been leaving at 6:00 a.m. and riding 6 to 8 hours. Very long days with two-thirds of my time on the bike climbing, and one-third of my time have been in the flats and downhill.
I got a glimpse of two bears along the Salmon River. In the Blue Mountains I saw big-horn sheep. In the Bitterroot Mountains I saw Elk. For the last 100 miles, I have been on the Lewis and Clark Trail. It was explained to me that Lewis and Clark were very disappointed that the Little Salmon, Salmon, Clearwater, and the Payette Rivers were too aggressive to navigate. They are major rivers that are three to four times larger than the James River. I met three guys that are expert rafters and they are taking the Clearwater River down to the Salmon River. From what I have seen from the road, these rivers look very dangerous. I wish them good luck.
Well, today I think the realization of my undertaking of this ride has set in. I am very tired. I have one more day to ride and then a rest day!
Thanks for every one's prayers, good wishes, and support.
Talk again in a week.
Larry
I chose to start my ride in Astoria, Oregon, as this is where Lewis and Clark ended their exploration. On the route, the Pacific West Corridor, which is from the Cascades to the Ocean, is where I experienced the rain, sleet, and snow. Last week, the weather has been sunny, and I must admit, I am glad to be out of the rain. Temperatures have been in the low 40's and high 70's.
I made it through the Blue Mountains and over the three passes of Dixie, Tipton, and Sumpter. I was glad to get that behind me. I went through Baker City, which is a cool little town in the High Mountain Plateau. I stopped at a National Park Exhibit that was interpretive of the Oregon Trail. In the mid-1800's, tens of thousands of American settlers closed their businesses, sold their farms, and packed up their families for a 2000 mile journey across the Oregon Trail and the mountains to get to the West Coast. The park exhibit was up on a ridge with scenic views of the Blue Mountains where visitors can learn about the environment and what the pioneers experienced along the trail. I can only imagine the challenges that they faced. The exhibit explained that the settlers knew if they made it through the Blue Mountains then they still had to cross the Cascades. Many people died and only one-third of the people made it through the mountains. It has been interesting to observe all of the history.
The last couple of days I have been in the Bitterroot Mountains, which have been mostly in Idaho. After today, I will be leaving the Bitterroot Mountains over Lolo Pass for a rest day in Missoula, Montana. The Bitterroot Mountains are beautiful with no services for over 70 miles. I had to carry extra water. Last night, I stayed at the Wilderness Inn, and believe me, it was in the middle of the wilderness. The towns are very small and very rustic (Lowell had a population of 23). I have been leaving at 6:00 a.m. and riding 6 to 8 hours. Very long days with two-thirds of my time on the bike climbing, and one-third of my time have been in the flats and downhill.
I got a glimpse of two bears along the Salmon River. In the Blue Mountains I saw big-horn sheep. In the Bitterroot Mountains I saw Elk. For the last 100 miles, I have been on the Lewis and Clark Trail. It was explained to me that Lewis and Clark were very disappointed that the Little Salmon, Salmon, Clearwater, and the Payette Rivers were too aggressive to navigate. They are major rivers that are three to four times larger than the James River. I met three guys that are expert rafters and they are taking the Clearwater River down to the Salmon River. From what I have seen from the road, these rivers look very dangerous. I wish them good luck.
Well, today I think the realization of my undertaking of this ride has set in. I am very tired. I have one more day to ride and then a rest day!
Thanks for every one's prayers, good wishes, and support.
Talk again in a week.
Larry
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
AMTHRAX SCARE!!
Message From Vicki:
I took Friday off to work in my garden. While planting flowers, my cell phone rings. It is Julie Gray from O'Reilly Auto Parts Corporate Office informing me that the Missoula, Montanna Post Office is on the phone and they have stopped operations because a white powder substance is on the outside of a package addressed to Larry. I had mailed a supply package to Larry for him to pick up in Missoula so I immediately knew what had happened. The protein powder I had mailed him had somehow leaked out of the plastic bag. Julie transferred the Post Office Inspector to me and I informed her that I had mailed the package and the substance was a protein powder for my boss who was riding his bike across the country. They asked me what kind of protein powder it was and then thanked me for clearing this up for them. Apparently, they had googled Larry and found out that he was associated with O'Reilly Auto Parts. Nancy, said they left two messages on their answering machine at home, and after not reaching anyone there, called the company.
So after hanging up the phone, I then got concerned that he would not have enough protein powder since I had no way of knowing how much had leaked out. So I drove to the office and called the Missoula Post Office. I asked the Postal Inspector to open the box to see if any of the powder was left. I was informed that they would open the box, but from the looks of all the powder that was on their conveyor system, they suggested I send more, which I did.
So that is my story from Larry's ride.
I took Friday off to work in my garden. While planting flowers, my cell phone rings. It is Julie Gray from O'Reilly Auto Parts Corporate Office informing me that the Missoula, Montanna Post Office is on the phone and they have stopped operations because a white powder substance is on the outside of a package addressed to Larry. I had mailed a supply package to Larry for him to pick up in Missoula so I immediately knew what had happened. The protein powder I had mailed him had somehow leaked out of the plastic bag. Julie transferred the Post Office Inspector to me and I informed her that I had mailed the package and the substance was a protein powder for my boss who was riding his bike across the country. They asked me what kind of protein powder it was and then thanked me for clearing this up for them. Apparently, they had googled Larry and found out that he was associated with O'Reilly Auto Parts. Nancy, said they left two messages on their answering machine at home, and after not reaching anyone there, called the company.
So after hanging up the phone, I then got concerned that he would not have enough protein powder since I had no way of knowing how much had leaked out. So I drove to the office and called the Missoula Post Office. I asked the Postal Inspector to open the box to see if any of the powder was left. I was informed that they would open the box, but from the looks of all the powder that was on their conveyor system, they suggested I send more, which I did.
So that is my story from Larry's ride.
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
REST DAY!!
Hello everyone,
I am happy to report all is well. My ride started off a day earlier than I had planned. I discovered that the McKenzie Pass was closed because a snow avalanche destroyed the road and it was being reconstructed. This required me to take the Santiam Pass and make last minute changes to my route. The first three days it rained consistently all day.
On day four, I camped at Detroit Lake, which is an upper elevation lake in the Cascade Mountains that supplies power for the State Capitol of Salem, where I stayed the night before.
Santiam Pass was closed the day before I had planned to tackle it due to snow. Park rangers informed me on day five that it was now open, so from my campground in Detroit Lake, it was on to Sisters, Oregon, which is the town at the high point of the pass. I started through the pass and have never ridden in rain that turned to sleet, then snow. The temperature was in the 20's so the snow did not stick. Because of the rising temperatures, steam was coming off the road making it very difficult to see. It was a very different experience for me in my riding travels. I was well prepared with proper cold-weather cycling gear. I was never cold, and once I got started, it was comfortable riding.
The Cascade Mountains are amazing. They are experiencing their first signs of spring with localized wildflowers blooming and numerous varieties of massive ferns. The north center of the mountains has springs and waterfalls that are breathtaking. It is so very different from the Rocky Mountains because it is on the Pacific Ocean coast. Very beautiful!
Next stop is heading east of of Sisters down a valley to a more higher-plains plateau. The weather is much drier and warmer. Yea!! I reached John Day and it is a rest day. On to the Blue Mountains and tomorrow may possibly be one of the most difficult days of the trip. There are three passes to cross - Dixie, Tipton, and Sumpter. So tomorrow's objective is to reach Sumpter.
So all is well in bike, body and mind. Talk again in a week.
Larry
I am happy to report all is well. My ride started off a day earlier than I had planned. I discovered that the McKenzie Pass was closed because a snow avalanche destroyed the road and it was being reconstructed. This required me to take the Santiam Pass and make last minute changes to my route. The first three days it rained consistently all day.
On day four, I camped at Detroit Lake, which is an upper elevation lake in the Cascade Mountains that supplies power for the State Capitol of Salem, where I stayed the night before.
Santiam Pass was closed the day before I had planned to tackle it due to snow. Park rangers informed me on day five that it was now open, so from my campground in Detroit Lake, it was on to Sisters, Oregon, which is the town at the high point of the pass. I started through the pass and have never ridden in rain that turned to sleet, then snow. The temperature was in the 20's so the snow did not stick. Because of the rising temperatures, steam was coming off the road making it very difficult to see. It was a very different experience for me in my riding travels. I was well prepared with proper cold-weather cycling gear. I was never cold, and once I got started, it was comfortable riding.
The Cascade Mountains are amazing. They are experiencing their first signs of spring with localized wildflowers blooming and numerous varieties of massive ferns. The north center of the mountains has springs and waterfalls that are breathtaking. It is so very different from the Rocky Mountains because it is on the Pacific Ocean coast. Very beautiful!
Next stop is heading east of of Sisters down a valley to a more higher-plains plateau. The weather is much drier and warmer. Yea!! I reached John Day and it is a rest day. On to the Blue Mountains and tomorrow may possibly be one of the most difficult days of the trip. There are three passes to cross - Dixie, Tipton, and Sumpter. So tomorrow's objective is to reach Sumpter.
So all is well in bike, body and mind. Talk again in a week.
Larry
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Rain and Sleet
Larry is still in Oregon and road 80 miles yesterday. He had to endure rain and sleet, but made it safely to his destination. He said that it is a very rugged, mountainous coast that is very remote with very few services or places to stay. Cedar is logged in this area and he was passed by many trucks on narrow roads hauling lumber. He said that was not very fun. The temperatures have been in the high 50's and low 40's.
Tomorrow will be one of his toughest days of the trip. Keep him in your thoughts and prayers.
Tomorrow will be one of his toughest days of the trip. Keep him in your thoughts and prayers.
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
And Larry's Off!
Monday, April 30, marks the first day of Larry's journey across America. Stay tuned for more of Larry's adventures as he peddles his way for a cure.
Send Off Party
Larry's brother, David O'Reilly, hosted a SEND OFF PARTY at his lovely home on Saturday, April 21, in Nixa, MO. Above is a picture of Larry and his siblings Rosalie, Charlie and David.
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