johnmcdonald's recent photos

The next day I rode to Cedar City, Utah, checked into my motel, picked up my bike box that I'd shipped there from Moscow, packed up the bike, and shipped it home. The next day I flew home. T ...

2009-07-06T04:02:12Z

johnmcdonald
The next day I rode to Cedar City, Utah, checked into my motel, picked up my bike box that I'd shipped there from Moscow, packed up the bike, and shipped it home. The next day I flew home. T ...

I saw a car about every 10 or 15 minutes on Utah 21. I stayed in a motel in Milford, Utah. Total for the day: 89.5 miles, 11.9 mph.

2009-07-06T03:54:51Z

johnmcdonald
I saw a car about every 10 or 15 minutes on Utah 21. I stayed in a motel in Milford, Utah. Total for the day: 89.5 miles, 11.9 mph.

Parts of Utah 21 go through areas so desolate, not even sagebrush will grow.

2009-07-06T03:47:58Z

johnmcdonald
Parts of Utah 21 go through areas so desolate, not even sagebrush will grow.

In the morning I could see lots of rain in the distance, but I only felt a couple drops.

2009-07-06T03:47:29Z

johnmcdonald
In the morning I could see lots of rain in the distance, but I only felt a couple drops.

There's not a lot along Utah route 21.

2009-07-06T03:46:56Z

johnmcdonald
There's not a lot along Utah route 21.

More art.

2009-07-06T03:46:22Z

johnmcdonald
More art.

I got an early start the next morning. This is some of the folk art along the fence leading up to Great Basin National Park.

2009-07-06T03:46:01Z

johnmcdonald
I got an early start the next morning. This is some of the folk art along the fence leading up to Great Basin National Park.

There were a few sprinkles in the evening, then around 12:30 a.m. there was a violent thunderstorm (at least it seemed violent from inside my little tent). This is the view from my campsite. ...

2009-07-06T03:45:21Z

johnmcdonald
There were a few sprinkles in the evening, then around 12:30 a.m. there was a violent thunderstorm (at least it seemed violent from inside my little tent). This is the view from my campsite. ...

A little googling shows that Lars Hexem was born in 1910 and died in 1995 in Ely, Nevada.

2009-07-06T03:43:43Z

johnmcdonald
A little googling shows that Lars Hexem was born in 1910 and died in 1995 in Ely, Nevada.

A meadow with views of Wheeler Peak.

2009-07-06T03:42:15Z

johnmcdonald
A meadow with views of Wheeler Peak.

A meadow with views of Wheeler Peak.

2009-07-06T03:41:56Z

johnmcdonald
A meadow with views of Wheeler Peak.

After the cave tour, I rode back to the campground, then hiked a few miles up along Lehman Creek, where I saw this red-naped sapsucker.

2009-07-06T03:41:25Z

johnmcdonald
After the cave tour, I rode back to the campground, then hiked a few miles up along Lehman Creek, where I saw this red-naped sapsucker.

Barn swallows outside Lehman Cave.

2009-07-06T03:37:20Z

johnmcdonald
Barn swallows outside Lehman Cave.

Inside Lehman Cave.

2009-07-06T03:33:18Z

johnmcdonald
Inside Lehman Cave.

Inside Lehman Cave.

2009-07-06T03:33:03Z

johnmcdonald
Inside Lehman Cave.

Inside Lehman Cave.

2009-07-06T03:32:12Z

johnmcdonald
Inside Lehman Cave.

When graffitti is old enough, it becomes historic.

2009-07-06T03:31:29Z

johnmcdonald
When graffitti is old enough, it becomes historic.

I took the 9 a.m. tour of Lehman Cave the next morning.

2009-07-06T03:31:03Z

johnmcdonald
I took the 9 a.m. tour of Lehman Cave the next morning.

I think this is Wheeler Peak, the second-highest peak in Nevada, part of Great Basin National Park. I camped in Lower Lehman Creek Campground in the park. Total for the day: 70.2 miles, 10.6 ...

2009-07-06T03:30:34Z

johnmcdonald
I think this is Wheeler Peak, the second-highest peak in Nevada, part of Great Basin National Park. I camped in Lower Lehman Creek Campground in the park. Total for the day: 70.2 miles, 10.6 ...

Scary clown cow.

2009-07-06T03:28:13Z

johnmcdonald
Scary clown cow.

Someone likes antlers.

2009-07-06T03:26:16Z

johnmcdonald
Someone likes antlers.

This is next to the highway, at least 5 miles from the nearest house. I don't know who CTF is.

2009-07-06T03:25:59Z

johnmcdonald
This is next to the highway, at least 5 miles from the nearest house. I don't know who CTF is.

There are more trees in eastern Nevada than there were in the central part.

2009-07-06T03:23:06Z

johnmcdonald
There are more trees in eastern Nevada than there were in the central part.

This is Cave Lake the next morning.

2009-07-06T03:22:30Z

johnmcdonald
This is Cave Lake the next morning.

I set my alarm for 3 a.m. so I could look at the stars. The Milky Way was amazingly bright and detailed. I tried to take a picture of it, but the maximum 15 second exposure on my camera just ...

2009-07-06T03:22:03Z

johnmcdonald
I set my alarm for 3 a.m. so I could look at the stars. The Milky Way was amazingly bright and detailed. I tried to take a picture of it, but the maximum 15 second exposure on my camera just ...

A few miles past Ely, I turned off US 50 and rode 6 miles uphill to get to Cave Lake State Park. It was worth it; I had a great campsite with a view of the lake in the distance. Total for th ...

2009-07-06T03:20:50Z

johnmcdonald
A few miles past Ely, I turned off US 50 and rode 6 miles uphill to get to Cave Lake State Park. It was worth it; I had a great campsite with a view of the lake in the distance. Total for th ...

I passed through Ely, Nevada, which was depressing. Here's a pile of mine waste just outside of town.

2009-07-06T03:19:23Z

johnmcdonald
I passed through Ely, Nevada, which was depressing. Here's a pile of mine waste just outside of town.

Today had short, steep uphills and long, gentle downhills; I probably had 50 miles of coasting today.

2009-07-06T03:18:12Z

johnmcdonald
Today had short, steep uphills and long, gentle downhills; I probably had 50 miles of coasting today.

I stayed in a motel in Eureka, Nevada. The Owl Casino and Restaurant across the street was full, so I ate at a new Chinese restaurant in town. It's hard enough for me to imagine what it's li ...

2009-07-06T03:16:30Z

johnmcdonald
I stayed in a motel in Eureka, Nevada. The Owl Casino and Restaurant across the street was full, so I ate at a new Chinese restaurant in town. It's hard enough for me to imagine what it's li ...

The pattern on US 50 is that you go up a couple thousand feet, down the other side, then have a long flat section before the next ridge. This is one of the uphills.

2009-07-06T03:12:00Z

johnmcdonald
The pattern on US 50 is that you go up a couple thousand feet, down the other side, then have a long flat section before the next ridge. This is one of the uphills.

Prickly pear in bloom.

2009-07-06T03:11:11Z

johnmcdonald
Prickly pear in bloom.

From Austin, I went east on US 50. I met a cross-country bicyclist heading west to his home in Los Angeles, the last cyclist I'd see on this trip.

2009-07-06T03:10:45Z

johnmcdonald
From Austin, I went east on US 50. I met a cross-country bicyclist heading west to his home in Los Angeles, the last cyclist I'd see on this trip.

It was starting to get dark when I arrived in Austin, Nevada, where I stayed in a motel. Total for the day: 143.0 miles, 13.5 mph. This long day put me back on my original schedule, making u ...

2009-07-06T03:08:52Z

johnmcdonald
It was starting to get dark when I arrived in Austin, Nevada, where I stayed in a motel. Total for the day: 143.0 miles, 13.5 mph. This long day put me back on my original schedule, making u ...

An abandoned house near Nevada 305.

2009-07-06T03:06:22Z

johnmcdonald
An abandoned house near Nevada 305.

While most of Nevada 205 was flat, it entered a gentle uphill canyon towards the end.

2009-07-06T03:06:02Z

johnmcdonald
While most of Nevada 205 was flat, it entered a gentle uphill canyon towards the end.

I'd planned to get water from Mill Creek or from some hot springs. But Mill Creek and all other streams that the road crossed were completely dry, and I couldn't find the springs. I was out ...

2009-07-06T03:05:15Z

johnmcdonald
I'd planned to get water from Mill Creek or from some hot springs. But Mill Creek and all other streams that the road crossed were completely dry, and I couldn't find the springs. I was out ...

From Battle Mountain I headed south on Nevada 305. I planned to camp at Mill Creek, making the total for the day about 80 miles, and get water from the creek. But the gravel road leading to ...

2009-07-06T03:03:15Z

johnmcdonald
From Battle Mountain I headed south on Nevada 305. I planned to camp at Mill Creek, making the total for the day about 80 miles, and get water from the creek. But the gravel road leading to ...

I had lunch in Battle Mountain, where I had the only flat tire of the whole trip.

2009-07-06T03:01:03Z

johnmcdonald
I had lunch in Battle Mountain, where I had the only flat tire of the whole trip.

The next day started with 53 miles on Interstate 80. At first it was fine, with a smooth wide shoulder, but then there were several miles where they were repaving the left lane. They blocked ...

2009-07-06T03:00:29Z

johnmcdonald
The next day started with 53 miles on Interstate 80. At first it was fine, with a smooth wide shoulder, but then there were several miles where they were repaving the left lane. They blocked ...

I stayed in a motel in Winnemucca, Nevada. Total for the day: 97.6 miles, 13.7 mph.

2009-07-06T02:58:16Z

johnmcdonald
I stayed in a motel in Winnemucca, Nevada. Total for the day: 97.6 miles, 13.7 mph.

Looking back at Nevada 140 from the intersection with US 95.

2009-07-06T02:57:18Z

johnmcdonald
Looking back at Nevada 140 from the intersection with US 95.

After a while,the countryside got so bleak, there weren't any ranches within sight.

2009-07-06T02:37:20Z

johnmcdonald
After a while,the countryside got so bleak, there weren't any ranches within sight.

Every few miles, there would be a ranch off in the distance. It's hard for me to imagine living in a place where you have to drive 100 miles to go to something more than a very tiny convenie ...

2009-07-06T02:35:28Z

johnmcdonald
Every few miles, there would be a ranch off in the distance. It's hard for me to imagine living in a place where you have to drive 100 miles to go to something more than a very tiny convenie ...

This oasis is Howards Hot Spring. It would have been tempting to jump in, except that it was fenced off, it reeked of sulfur, and the morning was already too hot to make a hot spring invitin ...

2009-07-06T02:33:44Z

johnmcdonald
This oasis is Howards Hot Spring. It would have been tempting to jump in, except that it was fenced off, it reeked of sulfur, and the morning was already too hot to make a hot spring invitin ...

The road was mostly flat.

2009-07-06T02:36:24Z

johnmcdonald
The road was mostly flat.

I got an early start (on the bike at 5:30) for the long desolate stretch on Nevada 140.

2009-07-06T02:30:38Z

johnmcdonald
I got an early start (on the bike at 5:30) for the long desolate stretch on Nevada 140.

At some point the road changed from Oregon 205 to Harney County 202, and they didn't bother painting lines on it. I picked up a strong headwind for the last 25 miles, from Fields, Oregon to ...

2009-07-06T02:29:11Z

johnmcdonald
At some point the road changed from Oregon 205 to Harney County 202, and they didn't bother painting lines on it. I picked up a strong headwind for the last 25 miles, from Fields, Oregon to ...

Heading south from French Glen the next morning, I took this picture using the timer on the camera. It was 55 miles from French Glen to the next town, Fields, where I had lunch. It was a gre ...

2009-07-06T02:26:41Z

johnmcdonald
Heading south from French Glen the next morning, I took this picture using the timer on the camera. It was 55 miles from French Glen to the next town, Fields, where I had lunch. It was a gre ...

I camped in Page Springs Campground, near the tiny town of French Glen. There were a lot of mosquitoes, and I couldn't find the springs, but otherwise it was a good place to camp. Total for ...

2009-07-06T02:22:55Z

johnmcdonald
I camped in Page Springs Campground, near the tiny town of French Glen. There were a lot of mosquitoes, and I couldn't find the springs, but otherwise it was a good place to camp. Total for ...

Looking across the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

2009-07-06T02:20:56Z

johnmcdonald
Looking across the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

There was one little uphill climb, the rest was very flat. However, the flat road was usually near basalt rims, so there was almost always something interesting to look at.

2009-07-06T02:23:58Z

johnmcdonald
There was one little uphill climb, the rest was very flat. However, the flat road was usually near basalt rims, so there was almost always something interesting to look at.

This is looking back towards Burns, the last town with a real grocery store for a couple hundred miles.

2009-07-06T02:19:32Z

johnmcdonald
This is looking back towards Burns, the last town with a real grocery store for a couple hundred miles.

Here's a yellow-headed blackbird.

2009-07-06T02:18:04Z

johnmcdonald
Here's a yellow-headed blackbird.

From Burns I headed south on Oregon 205. This is one of the most deserted highways in the country; I've been looking forward to riding it for a long time. I saw lots of different birds; I th ...

2009-07-08T11:07:32Z

johnmcdonald
From Burns I headed south on Oregon 205. This is one of the most deserted highways in the country; I've been looking forward to riding it for a long time. I saw lots of different birds; I th ...

There was a long gentle downhill through Devine Canyon to Burns. My achilles tendon was hurting pretty badly, so I stopped at a motel in Burns even though it was only 11 a.m. I got some aspi ...

2009-07-06T02:16:22Z

johnmcdonald
There was a long gentle downhill through Devine Canyon to Burns. My achilles tendon was hurting pretty badly, so I stopped at a motel in Burns even though it was only 11 a.m. I got some aspi ...

Because stopping in Seneca was earlier than I'd planned, I hoped to put in a long day and get back on schedule. The ride south from Seneca to Burns on US 395 was mostly flat or downhill, wit ...

2009-07-06T02:14:24Z

johnmcdonald
Because stopping in Seneca was earlier than I'd planned, I hoped to put in a long day and get back on schedule. The ride south from Seneca to Burns on US 395 was mostly flat or downhill, wit ...

It rained off and on through the night, ending at about 8 a.m. At slightly higher elevations, it was snow. The day was cold, probably upper 30s to low 40s, and my left achilles tendon was hu ...

2009-07-06T02:12:27Z

johnmcdonald
It rained off and on through the night, ending at about 8 a.m. At slightly higher elevations, it was snow. The day was cold, probably upper 30s to low 40s, and my left achilles tendon was hu ...

The weather had been fine most of the day, but it started to rain, heavily at times, at about 4:30. I had planned to go to a campground, but I gave up and camped near a stream (Anderson Cree ...

2009-07-06T02:07:22Z

johnmcdonald
The weather had been fine most of the day, but it started to rain, heavily at times, at about 4:30. I had planned to go to a campground, but I gave up and camped near a stream (Anderson Cree ...

After lunch in Unity, Oregon, I went south on US route 26 and then west on Forest Service road 16. This road was amazing; I saw only 3 cars in 3 hours of riding.

2009-07-06T02:05:01Z

johnmcdonald
After lunch in Unity, Oregon, I went south on US route 26 and then west on Forest Service road 16. This road was amazing; I saw only 3 cars in 3 hours of riding.

Descending on the other side on Oregon route 245.

2009-07-06T02:03:01Z

johnmcdonald
Descending on the other side on Oregon route 245.

From Baker City I went south on Oregon route 7 and then Oregon route 245, up a fairly steep 2000-foot climb.

2009-07-06T02:01:41Z

johnmcdonald
From Baker City I went south on Oregon route 7 and then Oregon route 245, up a fairly steep 2000-foot climb.

I could see rain in the distance as I approached Baker City, but I didn't get wet. I stayed in a motel. In the laundromat across the street from the motel, I ran into two cross-country bicyc ...

2009-07-06T01:59:38Z

johnmcdonald
I could see rain in the distance as I approached Baker City, but I didn't get wet. I stayed in a motel. In the laundromat across the street from the motel, I ran into two cross-country bicyc ...

Near Baker City, the highway crosses the Oregon Trail; these are wagon ruts.

2009-07-06T01:57:07Z

johnmcdonald
Near Baker City, the highway crosses the Oregon Trail; these are wagon ruts.

The road had very little traffic, and the weather got better in the afternoon. This is a long, very gently uphill section following the Powder River.

2009-07-06T01:56:13Z

johnmcdonald
The road had very little traffic, and the weather got better in the afternoon. This is a long, very gently uphill section following the Powder River.

The next day I would have had good views of the Wallowa Mountains, but it was cold and drizzly. The day started with a 20-mile descent of about 3000 feet, but instead of enjoying it, I just ...

2009-07-06T01:54:58Z

johnmcdonald
The next day I would have had good views of the Wallowa Mountains, but it was cold and drizzly. The day started with a 20-mile descent of about 3000 feet, but instead of enjoying it, I just ...

After lunch in Enterprise, I went east past Joseph and then south on the Imnaha Highway to Pick Creek Campground. Total for the day: 94.7 miles, average 10.4 mph.

2009-07-06T01:51:04Z

johnmcdonald
After lunch in Enterprise, I went east past Joseph and then south on the Imnaha Highway to Pick Creek Campground. Total for the day: 94.7 miles, average 10.4 mph.

As I approached Enterprise, Oregon, I could see the Wallowa Mountains.

2009-07-06T01:49:08Z

johnmcdonald
As I approached Enterprise, Oregon, I could see the Wallowa Mountains.

Overlooking the canyon of the Joseph River.

2009-07-06T01:48:22Z

johnmcdonald
Overlooking the canyon of the Joseph River.

An old house in Flora.

2009-07-06T01:47:10Z

johnmcdonald
An old house in Flora.

The Flora Cemetery is about a mile north of town.

2009-07-06T01:46:51Z

johnmcdonald
The Flora Cemetery is about a mile north of town.

The Flora School seems to be the only thing happening in Flora; I saw fliers for a fundraising event for it.

2009-07-06T01:45:58Z

johnmcdonald
The Flora School seems to be the only thing happening in Flora; I saw fliers for a fundraising event for it.

The old church in Flora.

2009-07-06T01:45:21Z

johnmcdonald
The old church in Flora.

This is downtown Flora.

2009-07-06T01:44:46Z

johnmcdonald
This is downtown Flora.

Once on top of the plateau, I took a side trip to Flora, Oregon.

2009-07-06T01:43:58Z

johnmcdonald
Once on top of the plateau, I took a side trip to Flora, Oregon.

Going up on the other side of the Grande Ronde was a fairly steep uphill of over 3000 feet.

2009-07-06T01:43:34Z

johnmcdonald
Going up on the other side of the Grande Ronde was a fairly steep uphill of over 3000 feet.

The next day I got an early start (on the bike at 5:45) and went down a long switchbacking grade to cross the Grande Ronde River.

2009-07-06T01:41:13Z

johnmcdonald
The next day I got an early start (on the bike at 5:45) and went down a long switchbacking grade to cross the Grande Ronde River.

After riding through more fields like this, I camped in Field Spring State Park. Total for the day: 87.2 miles, average speed 11.1 mph.

2009-07-06T01:39:55Z

johnmcdonald
After riding through more fields like this, I camped in Field Spring State Park. Total for the day: 87.2 miles, average speed 11.1 mph.

There were over 20 miles of continuous uphill, with headwinds and intermittent rain for the last hour or so.

2009-07-06T01:38:47Z

johnmcdonald
There were over 20 miles of continuous uphill, with headwinds and intermittent rain for the last hour or so.

The road was fairly steep at first, then got less steep, with a total elevation gain of about 3500 feet.

2009-07-06T01:37:17Z

johnmcdonald
The road was fairly steep at first, then got less steep, with a total elevation gain of about 3500 feet.

From Clarkston, there was a bike path along the river to Asotin, Washington, then the road started uphill.

2009-07-06T01:36:11Z

johnmcdonald
From Clarkston, there was a bike path along the river to Asotin, Washington, then the road started uphill.

I had lunch and got some groceries in Clarkston, Washington.

2009-07-06T01:35:16Z

johnmcdonald
I had lunch and got some groceries in Clarkston, Washington.

More columnar basalt.

2009-07-06T01:34:51Z

johnmcdonald
More columnar basalt.

I like the layers of columnar basalt left by successive lava flows.

2009-07-06T01:34:34Z

johnmcdonald
I like the layers of columnar basalt left by successive lava flows.

The road then followed the shore of the Snake River, which forms a reservoir behind Lower Granite Dam.

2009-07-06T01:32:49Z

johnmcdonald
The road then followed the shore of the Snake River, which forms a reservoir behind Lower Granite Dam.

As Wawawai Road got closer to the Snake River, the countryside got dryer. There was almost no traffic.

2009-07-06T01:30:19Z

johnmcdonald
As Wawawai Road got closer to the Snake River, the countryside got dryer. There was almost no traffic.

From Pullman, I went south on Wawawai Road down a long grade. At first it went through green farms.

2009-07-06T01:29:23Z

johnmcdonald
From Pullman, I went south on Wawawai Road down a long grade. At first it went through green farms.

On Wednesday, June 17, I set out from Moscow, Idaho on my bike. I'd been attending the Evolution meeting at the University of Idaho. I started by riding on the bike path to Pullman, Washingt ...

2009-07-06T01:28:14Z

johnmcdonald
On Wednesday, June 17, I set out from Moscow, Idaho on my bike. I'd been attending the Evolution meeting at the University of Idaho. I started by riding on the bike path to Pullman, Washingt ...

We went out to Snoqualmie Falls.

2009-05-03T01:55:42Z

johnmcdonald
We went out to Snoqualmie Falls.

We had lots and lots of free samples.

2009-05-03T01:55:41Z

johnmcdonald
We had lots and lots of free samples.

Cocoa beans.

2009-05-03T01:55:41Z

johnmcdonald
Cocoa beans.

A lump of cocoa butter.

2009-05-03T01:55:41Z

johnmcdonald
A lump of cocoa butter.

Bev and I took a tour of the Theo Chocolate Factory in the Fremont neighborhood in Seattle. Our tour guide was enthusiastic about chocolate.

2009-05-03T01:55:41Z

johnmcdonald
Bev and I took a tour of the Theo Chocolate Factory in the Fremont neighborhood in Seattle. Our tour guide was enthusiastic about chocolate.

One Halloween, I went as this statue.

2009-05-03T01:49:32Z

johnmcdonald
One Halloween, I went as this statue.

Me at UW.

2009-05-03T01:48:57Z

johnmcdonald
Me at UW.

Thirty years ago, I thought the slogans on the outside of the Ministry of Truth in "1984" would be appropriate graffiti for a newsroom.

2009-05-03T01:48:09Z

johnmcdonald
Thirty years ago, I thought the slogans on the outside of the Ministry of Truth in "1984" would be appropriate graffiti for a newsroom.

Outside the newsroom of the UW Daily, where I worked as a proofreader.

2009-05-03T01:41:27Z

johnmcdonald
Outside the newsroom of the UW Daily, where I worked as a proofreader.

We visited the locks in Seattle.

2009-05-03T01:38:23Z

johnmcdonald
We visited the locks in Seattle.

Shirley's Kitchen is next to the ferry dock in Clinton, Washington.

2009-05-03T01:37:54Z

johnmcdonald
Shirley's Kitchen is next to the ferry dock in Clinton, Washington.

We collected amphipods in Port Townsend, then took the ferry the next morning to Whidbey Island.

2009-05-03T01:36:41Z

johnmcdonald
We collected amphipods in Port Townsend, then took the ferry the next morning to Whidbey Island.

From Tillamook, we drove to Westport, Washington, where I dug amphipods out of the sand. We spent the night in Ocean Shores. The next day we looked for amphipods in Port Angeles and some oth ...

2009-05-03T01:35:50Z

johnmcdonald
From Tillamook, we drove to Westport, Washington, where I dug amphipods out of the sand. We spent the night in Ocean Shores. The next day we looked for amphipods in Port Angeles and some oth ...