April 5: Clear Skies and A Clear Head
Today’s loop to Bend and back was chock full of bright blue skies, towering white mountain peaks, stunning aqua-green colored lake waters, and rippling white rapids. After receiving good news from my neurosurgeon yesterday morning, I spent most of my time on the bike reflecting on all I had to be grateful for and enjoying the beauty of God’s creation.
Heading east on highway 22 past Stayton, I joined paths with the winding Santiam River, following one s-shaped curve after another winding my way through the foothills of the Santiam State Forest. As I rode through fire-ravaged forests beginning to regrow, I admired the icy green-blue river waters topped with frothy flecks of white tumbling over rocks and past downed branches.
Just after the Detroit Dam, I was treated to a magnificent view of the velvety dark green surface of Detroit Lake framed by tall thick clusters of evergreen trees in the background, muddy brown riverbanks in the foreground, and the postcard-perfect, powdered-sugar-colored white peaks of Mount Jefferson. What a treat!
As I passed through Idanha and continued along the Santiam River, the road rose in elevation and snow appeared on the side of the road, along the edges of the water, and all over the foothills and mountains south and west of me. I thought of stopping to get a picture of the thick clusters of fluffy snow lining the babbling brooks around me but was having too much fun carving my way through the mountains to stop.
Passing through Bend, I headed north on highway 97 towards Redmond, gasping in wonder at the cluster of icy covered mountain peaks in the glorious Cascade Range far to my left, their striking white jagged tops standing proudly above the green and yellow patchwork quilt of meadows and fields below. Cattle grazed contentedly in their fields, and I luxuriated in the feel of the warm spring air.
As I made my way through Redmond and then Warm Springs, the landscape changed to scrubby brown buttes and mesas, dotted with Junipers. The road twisted and turned past the Pelton Reservoir and along the banks of the Deschutes River, the blue waters muting the starkness of the dark brown vegetation all around.
Heading west on highway 26, I began to see one delightful view after another of Mount Hood, first rising above honey-colored fields and then towering above the tall evergreens of the Mount Hood National Forest. Dark, red rocky pebbles littered the sides of the road and snow re-appeared on the banks around me.
Breathing in the cool mountain air as I drew closer to home, I reflected on how fortunate I was that my brain tumors are stable for now, allowing me to experience such magnificent mountain and water views under gloriously clear skies.
