I shared some water with Jev and Grant, enough so that they could have coffee.
They spoke like brothers, but they weren't. One of them told me they work
together. I tried to guess what they did for a living. Turns out, they are
letter carriers for the USPS.
Grant and his bike, a Singular
After a few false starts, we got started on the right road, Sun Mountain Road.
I could tell they climbed better than me. We stayed together until the high
point.
Good Morning on Sun Mountain Road
Grant, taking photos
About to start a big descent on Sun Mountain Road
Jev, on Sun Mountain Road
Elk prints, I think; they were big.
I was more comfortable on descents. We descended until I found an unexpected
creek, running fast and clear, Sun Creek.
This is the happiest sight. We filtered on Sun Creek, we all chugged a liter,
too.
Grant at the intersection of Annie Creek Road and Volcanic Legacy
Scenic Byway, AKA Hwy 62
Annie Creek canyon
We climbed Hwy 62, a paved road to the Rim Road, a 4000' climb.
Near Camp Mazama, Jev had ridden ahead. We could see him up amongst the
long line of cars. We saw a paved path off to the right and took it. It wove
through the campground. We avoided the long line of cars, and came out the
other end, in front of the stopped line of cars. Eventually Jev came rolling
forward to us. He was indignant. The ranger at the toll booth had told him to
stop and pay the $15 per person for bike riders to entry. He did not like the
way she spoke to him. He was upset, and said that if she'd been nicer, he
would have paid the fee. Grant and I were aware we'd avoided the entire
affair. I teased Jev that he'd need therapy for his law breaking behavior. He
kept talking about the lady, and how mean she was, how unkind she was to him.
He was indignant. I said that this would go down on his permanent record. I
said he'd be pulled over and forced to go back.
A few minutes later, at the speed of about 5 mph, we were in fact pulled over
by a ranger in a big SUV, lights flashing. He asked us to pull over, really.
We managed to bring our loaded bikes down to a manageable speed and listened
as he explained that we had to pay the fee. I could sense Jev was about to
explain why he hadn't stopped. I put my hand on Jev's shoulder and said to the
ranger, "We'll go back and pay." So we all turned around and rolled back down,
the ranger following us. I wasn't sure what we should do, regarding the long
line of cars, but Jev went right to the front and so did Grant, then I.
Another guy rolled up, looking fast, on a modern, carbon gravel bike with just
a few bags. Grant had his America the Beautiful pass in his hand, and the lady
- the same lady - explained that he could get up to 4 bike riders in, with his
pass. The new guy rolled through with us. No drama. Jev remarked that she
actually seemed nice that time. I think it was we weren't breaking the rules.
It turns out the new guy's name is John. He asked if I was So and So, from
OMTM discord, and I confirmed. He said he was John. I asked if he was
Something John, or John Something on discord, and he said he was "Just John."
He had started in Klamath Falls that morning, and was shooting for 4 days to
Portland on a slightly streamlined route, staying in hotels and lodges. He'd
lost his extra shirt that morning, but was otherwise having a good ride.
We stopped at the Visitor Center before the summit, to get water, and it
was a long stop. Some older couples were fascinated by my bike, so I answered their questions. They had more questions, but happily, I had answers. Jev, Grant and Just John all dropped me on the climb to the rim, but I eventually
got there.
Grant's and my bike at Rim Drive, Crater Lake
Just John, Jev and Grant at Crater Lake
Waiting in line for food at the cafe at Crater Lake Lodge
It's-It, loaded nachos and a fountain coke (2 of 3 refills) at the
cafe
Grant and his flip-phone
We thought we'd get lunch at the cafe at the lodge on the rim, but it
was so crowded and busy and slow that we got the fastest of fast foods. I
drank three, large fountain cokes. I'm not sure that was a bad idea, but it
seemed like a good idea at the time. Just John bought another shirt, said his
goodbyes, and departed.
Crater Lake is gorgeous. I'd never been. I didn't really understand that it
was a large volcano which had a caldera that had filled with water, forming
the lake, or that it was so tall. It's ~ 7600' above sea level, at the high
point on the rim.
Atop the final climb on Rim Drive, heading north
Diamond Lake Recreation Area
At the Diamond Lake Store
Priorities!!
Fish and fisher people
A Coors at camp
I'd bought a Coors tallboy and some snacks at the store. Jev was off,
looking for water. He came back. I showed him the beer. He considered buying
one. Grant doesn't drink alcojol. I explained to Jev that I'd really enjoy
the beer, at camp, and that I wouldn't share. He looked in the store, judged
the line too long, and didn't buy one. Grant had a flat that he nursed along
with frequent pumping. He eventually put a tube in his rear tire. He wanted
an actual camp ground, with an actual picnic bench. It looked like there'd
be one at Lemolo Lake. We all rode there. After looping the campground, only
one site was free, so I registered and paid for it. While we were setting
up, several vehicles came in, looking for a camp spot. The lake was
beautiful. Neither Jev nor Grant had ever heard the song
Happy Boy, by the Beat Farmers,
so I played it for them, as I drank my beer in the warm, setting sun. I
helped Grant find the puncture and patch his tube, then I filtered some more
water, jumped in the lake and did some riding clothes laundry.
I took two diphenhydramine, and didn't sleep at all that night.
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