Day 13 – Frog Lake to Pelton – Safe Return Doubtful

50 miles (80 km) – Total so far: 753 miles (1,211 km)

Distance 50 miles (81 km) Time riding 3 hours 29 mins Max Speed 35.3 mph Average speed 14.4 mph Altitude 505 metres asl Left at 8:15 am Arrived at 1:15 pm

It wasn’t such a good night at Frog Lake. The highway is too near. So often they are here, especially with RVs and caravans, but this is a tent site, so maybe I am just more sensitive in the hearing to others. The road didn’t quieten until after midnight and was busy again at half five. At least that enabled me to get away early.

There is no services between the gas station 3 miles west of Frog Lake and Warm Springs. Straight away the road heads over Blue Box pass then descends to about 800 metres. A junction takes some of the traffic away, but Saturday morning, and it’s still busy. The road then leaves Mount Hood National Forest and has gentle (50 meters or so) undulations each of about a mile across a high and dry plain for about 25 miles. There is no shade, and today my timing was just about right. An hour later and it would have been very hot.

Then there is a descent into Warm Springs. The small town is the base of the Indian Reservation. It doesn’t have much, a market, a casino, and an excellent cafe which is in a second hand shop. Great sandwiches, wifi, and very friendly service. It is also on the Deschutes River. Rather than stay on highway 97 all the way to Bend, I had planned to head up the canyon, to Pelton reservoir, no as it is a Saturday, I had booked a camp spot, just as well, as they are all full. It’s a water sports place, but laid back. Many Hispanics and Asians as there are in this part of Oregon. There’s a bar and restaurant nearby so will visit later. After a tough day yesterday, good to be finished early today.