It was clear that the machines were conspiring against me in this particular laundromat in Baker City. I had wasted two dimes on a dryer which previously worked. Then the Coke machine, apparently out of cups, spewed orange drink all over the floor.
I had arrived in Baker City about 3:30 p.m., completely blown away. I couldn’t recall any time during the trip when I had felt so exhausted after 30 miles of riding. I had climbed to my mail stop at Halfway (actually only about a quarter of the day’s ride), where I got a letter from Jenny. She included a clipping about how to ship a bicycle, a timely reminder.
Then, it was downhill to Rockland. Then, nothing but uphill for the last 40 miles into Baker City, all of it into a steady headwind.
I didn’t expect to find it so difficult to get motivated over these last days, they have been the most difficult so far. I figure I have about 450 miles to go.
Oregon thus far looks a lot like Wyoming. I’m looking forward to the more temperate rain-forested western half of the state.