On my bicycle, I have a handlebar bag in which I keep my day's supply of food, a flashlight, my knife, my "world's loudest whistle," my thing of pepper spray (Ashley made me take it, I suppose to fight off an angry bear), my maps, and my cameras. Attached to one of the pocket zippers I have my rabbit's foot, which I rub before every mountain pass, and a little thermometer. Since getting out of the Cascades, the thermometer hasn't dropped below 100 and is usually pinned at the maximum 120 degrees.

About 45 miles east of Dayville is the town of Prarie City. The road between the two towns follows the John Day River and cuts between the high lands on either side. What this means is, the road has great views, but has no shade and is really hot. I stopped to have lunch in one shaded picnic area and decided to wait out some of the heat and took a nap on top of a picnic table. An hour and a half later, I got back on my bike and pedalled to Prarie City.

When I got to Prarie City, I was greeted with an extremely picturesque town looking out on Strawberry Mountain and the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness to one side and the beginning of the Elkhorn Mountains to the other. The historic Main Street, which in it's day was the main shipping port for Grant County because of its access to the Sumpter Valley Railroad, has kept it's pioneer charm and is lined with restaraunts, cafes, and antique shops catering to the numerous visitors that pass through. Still needing to cover more miles for the day and facing yet another 2,000 foot climb, I stopped at the grocery store to load up on supplies and Gatorade. When I was checking out, the cashier asked me to sign their guest book for bikers. I signed page 6, obviously this was a popular spot for the TransAmerica Trail travellers.