And what of the dog owners? Shouldn't they be held culpable? In many places if a dog bites, it is immediately put down. And for good reason. Especially if unprovoked and off the property of the owner. It only takes a minimum of training to prevent attacks. No other cyclists or pedestrians should have to risk the same as you have experienced!

I used to run with a friend who had been bitten a few times and he was paranoid of dogs. As a result, I carried a piece of cable about 15 inches long with a cord loop on one end hanging around my wrist. One day as we were enjoying a nice pace along a road, we heard clickity, clickity, clickity behind us and I turned to see a big dog with teeth bared, not 10 feet behind. I whirled around to face it with the cable raised to whack it and it put on the brakes. About a second later the owner yelled and it ran back home. I have no doubt that one or both of us would have ended up bleeding had I not had my defense in-hand.

Your story made me cringe. I sure hope you recover quickly, and encourage you to think about holding the owner accountable.

That sounds awful and you didn’t have someone to bandage you up! How far did you have to bike to the hospital?

I hope that you both heal quickly

Thanks, Mark. Healing hasn’t gone fully smoothly so far (a bit more to come), but we’re both doing fine and mending well. Lucky, considering.

Thanks, Greg. that sounds horrible getting gashed in the shoulder like that. Ugly to think about.

This is my first ER visit for myself relating to the bike, which for all the years and miles I’ve biked is pretty remarkable. I’ve been very lucky. It’s the aptly-named Rocky’s third though: that time she T-boned a German Shepard years ago, her horrifying concussion injury, and now this. Pushing her luck, that one. She should take up a safer hobby.

Wow! So glad you are OK now, and that the where, when and who answers included close to car, in time for treatment and meds, and a great medical team. Wishing you good healing.

Oh my! Your ordeal reminded me of my only bike touring emergency room visit. (Arizona . . . gash in shoulder from a bolt sticking out of light pole . . . riding bike to hospital . . . numerous nurses and others -- including a policeman -- checking me out and asking questions . . . irrigation of wound . . . stitches . . . tetanus shot . . . physician's assistant waving as I pedaled off in the dark to a motel.) Only your ordeal seems worse. At the very least I didn't have to worry about rabies.

On a happier note, thanks for the song because it's the theme song from one of my four or five favorite TV shows of all-time, MONK.

Thanks for the camera info!

I don't think 'novice photographer' really applies to you, even if you did add 'technically.' Your composition is way above average I think.

Since you added 'write it up' regarding our own plans, I'll add the additional feedback that when touring, we find it just too much of a daily extra to write and post an account. I think your commitment and skill in doing that is very commendable. For us, between doing laundry, getting food, finding and booking the next night, and mapping and downloading the next day's route, we're ready for the sack. I've always admired, and greatly benefited from, those of you who post extensively while on the road. Thanks!

We did a clockwise Gulf Island-Vancouver Island-Sunshine Coast loop in August, 2018. Very nice. Hope the border opens and you can do it sooner rather than later.

Your current Oregon riding reminds me of the Cycle Oregon route we had when I did that several years ago. We were a bit farther north than you are at present. (That was with a couple of my brothers. My wife I do not camp anymore.)

Mark

That video really captures the magic of Picture Gorge!

Makes me want to go back in spring or fall.

We rode through on a very early summer morning to beat the 100+ afternoon heat, so I'm sure we didn't take the time needed to really let our jaws drop and take it all in before we continued up the hill to Mitchell.

That is beautiful country! I'm glad to be back in Oregon

Sorry to drag this out, but you’ll just have to wait. My fingers were getting tuckered out after 44 miles.

Wow. Spectacular. Can't wait for the rest of the story.

Wow! I've never seen such a many-sided barn.

Once again .. you inspired me to look it up, and here's what I found on Wikipedia:

'The years from 1880–1920 represent the height of round barn construction.[1] Round barn construction in the United States can be divided into two overlapping eras. The first, the octagonal era, spanned from 1850–1900. The second, the true circular era, spanned from 1889–1936. The overlap meant that round barns of both types, polygonal and circular, were built during the latter part of the nineteenth century.[2] Numerous round barns in the United States are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[3]"

Hi yourself, Mark! It’s nice to hear from you and thank you for the generous feedback. I sympathize about your change in plans. Coincidentally, we have our own plans for a short tour up your way late in July. Before all this chaos descended we had booked ourselves for a loop up the Sunshine Coast, but it’s looking less likely by the day.

Until about a half year ago I carried two cameras, both higher quality Panasonic point and shoots. I used a Lumix LX10/LX15 for most photography, and think it’s about the perfect camera for cycle touring - light, compact, fast, takes great photos, has a bit of a wide angle. I also carried a ZS-60 (a superzoom) for zoom shots - wildlife and cathedral ceilings, mostly. I’m really a novice photographer technically, so I always just use its ‘intelligent auto’ setting. Its computer is much smarter than I am.

Unfortunately, the LX15 broke about half a year ago in the middle of our tour of Iberia. I’ve replaced it but haven’t actually broken it out of the box yet. Lately I’m only carrying the ZS-60, so the current tour, California and Arizona and most of Iberia were shot just with that. There’s a bit of quality loss and I miss the wider angle, but it’s versatile enough that it works for me. If I could only carry one camera it would be this one. One of these times I’ll start carrying both again though, I’m sure.

Enjoy exploring the homeland! There’s some wonderful country up there. And write it up here, so we can enjoy it too!

Scott

Hi Scott,
We live in B.C. and recently found your many journals as we are researching options for touring north of the border for the spring (and maybe summer?) due to current circumstances leading to a closed border. So, your documented travels in Canada have been of particular interest to us.
Your photos are all great, and you have so many good telephoto shots, but also lots of close-ups of flowers and such. Can we ask: Are you carrying two cameras, or just one that lets you get both types of shots. Do you mind sharing which one(s) you use?
Thanks, and we hope you will continue to be able to head out on those eastern Oregon roads in April!
Mark Hoffmann