I stayed in the Dayville church on that ride! This was in 1986, the year before Rachael and I first met. I pulled into at the end of a long hard day that began in Prineville I think, and someone directed me to the church. I don’t recall now, but I could be listed in their binder. We should go check it out, alright.

Oh, I really hope it works out for you to visit.

Pat is a skilled barber (with a straight edge razor!) and is also the bus driver, mayor of Mitchell, and the pastor.

They have an incredible collection of stories from cyclists who have stayed there. And they were amongst the top 10 most kind people we encountered on our tour.

If you go there, be sure to stop by the church in Dayville to get a photo of the stained glass and to look at their binder of notes from visitors.

So glad the driver talked with you. I'll bet he was pretty shaken up, and relieved to see that you were OK.

Also glad that Portland has the green boxes so that everyone who reads this can learn about safest position in the box.

And making eye contact with drivers, especially if they're in big rigs is also a good idea.

No, we’ve never stayed in Mitchell. I biked through it about 35 years ago on a midsummer ride from Salem to Baker City - it’s so hilly there, and especially tough on a hot summer day. Rachael and I drove through it on a day trip from Maupin to see the Painted Hills, and we’ve been planning to go back some day with the bikes. This could be the time.

And, they do haircuts! I need one of those anyway.

Thanks for your concern. It wasn’t that scary when it happened because the truck just tapped me and I fell over on my right side and could maneuver enough to get over to the other side. It was later that I realized that with a truck that size I could be crippled or dead. I was very lucky and I learned a valuable lesson. The driver did come over and said he didn’t see me when he was turning but obviously he had quick reflexes or it would have been a lot worse. The intersection has one the of the big painted green areas in front of the lane but I was over on the far right side instead of the middle. I’m definitely going to get in the middle of it from now on and always make sure I have eye contact with the driver where possible.

Have you 2 been to Spoken Hostel in Mitchell?

If not, please consider a visit during your stay in John Day. They have 1-2 private rooms and since Mitchell is so small, the Brew Pub might(?) be open.

Give them a call first to find out about short or overnight visits. It's a very special place. If you're able to stay overnight, maybe a day trip into the Painted Hills?

Tell the owners, Jalet and Patrick, that Ron and Jen sent you.

That's so cool! Very nice that you supported both a restaurant and a musician for your date night.

Ron's getting a Chromebook, so maybe he can schedule a Singing Cycling Cowboy performance ..

There's a chickadee that has been checking out the birdhouse by our living room window. If it decides to move in, I'll see if I can get a good photo.

So glad you're OK Rachel!! And that you got photos. How scary.

Did you talk with the driver? If yes, what did they say?

Holy crap! I was picturing one of the big brown trucks .. this is much bigger!!

Nonioide: elbow-like protuberance exhibited only in deciduous trees native to the Southern United States.

I love seeing people out walking their cats .. not very common.

How cool that the cat has this tree for some mid-walk entertainment!

If you're ever there with them, please take a photo to post on Instagram.

I sure feel lucky coming out of it with a few minor injuries and I learned a valuable lesson.

I’m doing fine other than a few bruises and a gouge in my elbow. I was trying to be especially careful that day but was near the end of my ride going past an intersection I’ve gone through hundreds of times. I got lucky and learned a valuable lesson.

Glad it wasn't worse, but a bad scare for sure! Hope you're ok, Rachael!

Trucks making right hand turns are the major cause of serious, often fatal, bicycle accidents here. Kids are often the victims. Eye contact, eye contact, eye contact! And how about legislation making those safety devices for trucks mandatory!