Joseph to Imnaha (almost)

The weather forecast says thunderstorms this afternoon so Kathy and Rick know if they want to get a bike ride in today, they need to get going. But the creek is so serene, the coffee so good, the deck overlooking the Wallowa Mountain’s so amazing the pair just can’t get going.

They decide to ride 60 miles to and from Imnaha. They’ve been there before. It’s a tiny little town with a post office, a store and a school at the end of the road. (There’s a restaurant too) This is one of the farthest spots you can go and still be in Oregon.

They headed out and next to Alaska; this is probably the prettiest place they have ever seen. Green pastures tucked beneath those giant mountains that seem to shoot up out of the earth so high they touch the robe of God. The old barns, houses are reminders of those who’ve lived here before.

As Rick and Kathy get farther down the road they realize Imnaha is at the bottom of a canyon. You don’t realize this when you drive it in a vehicle.

The road winds down, down, down and both look at each other understanding there’s only one way up and that is to ride it. At the 20 mile marker the sky is growing darker and the clouds scream a warning to get home because the clouds cannot hold back what is inevitable. A big storm is coming and time is short.

As Rick and Kathy pull into the driveway back in Joseph, a raindrop lands on Kathy’s arm and then another and another and another. By the time they are in the shower, the ground is rumbling and the dark clouds lighting up as bolts from the Heavens touch the ground nearby.

The two grab some lunch, stop by some shops, and find their way to the coffee shop and the Internet.

It was a great ride and hey, the pair burned off enough calories for a nice dinner and a beer at Terminal Gravity. Now, that is a good day.