Day 11: Thursday, July 7, 2005 rode 57.3 miles 4455 climb.
Our route today took us right into those golden brown foothills I admired so much yesterday and they were just as beautiful to ride through—tough though. Constant climb right up into those rugged tree covered mountains where it really got steep!
The vistas were lovely and the photo does not do justice to the actual climb!
Just a beautiful morning!
The first two summit photos. The third summit did not even have a sign! It was just a tree lined highway so we did not even take a photo.
Getting close to Sumpter – our end of this day spot!
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Of course the most important part of ending the day is DINNER and this was one of the best! Someone told us our biggest problem on the ride across America was going to be finding the food we like—well so far that is not a problem for us!!! I have to admit we do enjoy choosing our own places to eat though!
A couple of shots of Main Street in Sumpter, OR. Pretty neat place.
There is a lot of interesting history about this little place. The Dredge is a big part of it. It was built in 1925 and operated by the Sumpter Valley Dredge Co. until 1954, recovering more than $4.5 million in gold, and it was the third dredge used in the area. The community is most proud of the environmental triumph—it is a model of nature's persistence in repairing manmade damage—a unique wetlands area rich in wildlife and burgeoning vegetation where wildlife lives on happily ever after!!
The Narrow-Gauge Steam Railroad is also a huge attraction. During the 57-year history from 1890-1947 it was a vital part of the settlement and development of the Eastern Oregon region it served. It was one of the most colorful and longest-lived narrow gauge railroads in the nation. Now a major tourist attraction, it is a 7 mile ride. Not running while we were here though.
Not often you find a stockade! It is a hostel but we went for The Depot Inn instead!!!