It was a lovely 57 mile day along the Powder River. It started with a 10 mile climb and high traverse over sagebrush rangeland out of Baker City, and then became a 31 mile downhill run along the river through a variety of canyon vegetation and rock.

We had a delicious lunch at Sarah’s Richland Cafe where we met Sherril who generously gave Mary Ann and all of our panniers a ride over a high sun baked divide to today’s destination, Halfway, OR. Chris and Joe were similarly “rescued” about 3 miles from the top by her. They however enjoyed the descent to Halfway.

We are in a broad verdant valley nourished by the Pine Creek flowing south out of the Wallowa Mountains where Joe and Chris did a side excursion while Mary Ann socialized at the laundromat. It was a hot day! We are planning on an earlier start tomorrow because we are headed into even lower hotter territory.