Category Archives: Cyclists

Camp Hosting

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4 1/2 MONTHS – You’ve got to be kidding!

I have been camp host here at Ochoco Divide National Campground in Central Oregon since May 15,  It has been a rather long time, but it has been very enjoyable nonetheless. For those of you thinking of workkamping I offer the following suggestions.

  • Know what your getting into – Find out what is expected prior to getting there and what you will earn as well or what you are entitled to if you volunteer.
  • Get everything in writing.  Usually emails between you and your new employer.
  • Make sure your rig is properly equipped for the area.  If there are no hookups make sure you have solar panels or a generator,  Sometimes the employer will supply you with a generator to use.  What about a dump station and fresh water?  What about Internet access or cell phone service?
  • Learn about the local area.  Where are the local markets, gas stations, Walmart (if there is one nearby).

60 miles roundtrip…

When I discussed my position with my employer before taking the job he emphasized that the nearest town was 30 miles away.  That meant 60 miles round trip just to get groceries and propane.  I usually made the trip once a week not necessarily for the supplies but just as a change of pace.  I found a great BBQ place where I would treat myself to a dinner to go that I would enjoy once I returned to camp.

Great fun meeting new people

I think the biggest enjoyment I got out of this past summer was meeting such a variety of people.  My campground is not a destination campground where campers would stay for a week and most of the campers would only stay one night and then move on.  Some weren’t even in RV’s.  Many drove in here on bicycles, motorcycles, cars and trucks as well as RV’s of all sizes and shapes.  I had a lot of tent campers.  Some even walked in.

Or pedaled in.

Just because they were only there overnight didn’t make a difference as to meeting them.  Everyone is usually happy to tell you where they are going or where they have been.  I made a lot of friendships during the summer and many people told me of really neat places they had been.  Of course the cyclists usually had different stories to tell, but they still shared fantastic places they had seen in their travels.  It was especially interesting to meet people from other countries and get their opinion of travel in the US.  I met people from Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, England, Australia, Spain, France, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden and a lot from Canada.  They all loved traveling in the US.

Another vehicle would help…

Since I don’t have a toad I wasn’t able to get to many of the nearby places I would have liked to, however I am working to save for one and hope by this time next year I will have a vehicle.  If that is the case I may just come back here next summer, but not sure yet.  My employer has already asked me if I would return.

Go with the flow…

I would also highly recommend to anyone taking a camp host position to be flexible.  You do not always have to go by the book in some cases.  But the most important asset is to BE FRIENDLY and don’t be shy.  People look up to you as the boss of the camp but you don’t have to act like one.  That will go a long way to make your camp host season a successful one.

I was the only camp host in my campground and it can be difficult taking time off since there is no one there to fill in for you.  I just took almost every Tuesday off and it worked out pretty good.  It gave me a day to myself to do what I wanted to do.  When I returned, I would still make my rounds, but it always felt like a day off.  My employer said I could take two consecutive days off and one of the other camp hosts would fill in for you, but I never did that.  Next year if I have a toad and decide to return I will definitely take the two days off and venture out to the surrounding area.

But most important…

But I would say the most important thing is to make time for yourself and relax.

Also be sure to take time to smell the roses or any other flower that catches your eye.

Marriage, Pack rats and new schedule + results of the poll

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Cycling and marriage proposal

Don’t get any ideas that I’m getting married cause that ain’t going to happen.  I am referring to a couple of cyclists that rode in here looking for water and a place to eat lunch before they headed on down the road.  Julianne and Bjorn looked pretty worn out when they arrived after climbing the long hill from Prineville, OR.  I gave them water and they plopped down to have lunch and take a relaxing break.  They are both from Spokane, WA and they drove down to Walla Walla where they started their adventure.  Then they cycled down to Crater Lake, OR which is quite a ride.  I asked them what was the biggest thrill during their trip and they mentioned that it was at Crater Lake where Bjorn proposed to Julianne and she accepted.  That is a day they will never forget.  You can read more about it at their blog at dryearthandfloods.wordpress.com  

Congratulations Julianne and Bjorn.  May you have a wonderful life together cycling all over the country.  They deserve a high five for not only their engagement but also for that fantastic cycling trip.

Discovered a pack rat

I popped my hood this morning and this is what I saw.  I actually saw the rat as well as it was sitting cozily on his bed.  I almost felt like grabbing him by the tail but I knew better then that.  It was a big one too and scampered off to another section of my engine.  Tomorrow I will head into Prineveille and see about getting something that I can kill the dirty bugger with.


I thought I would be leaving my camp hosting job at the end of September.  Now they are asking me to stay for another week until October 6.  The campground has been surprisingly busy for this time of year.  Probably has to do with the GREAT camp host, but more likely it is due to the extremely warm weather.  It has been in the 90’s three days this week and will be in the upper 80’s almost all next week.  People still want to get out and enjoy this wonderful weather before the rain begins.

It will give me about a week to travel the 400+ miles to Fernley, NV to work for Amazon.

The votes are in

I would like to thank everyone for voting in the poll last week regarding the new look of Jimbo’s Journeys Blog.  Out of 81 votes received, I have 77 (95.06%) in favor of the new look and only 4 (4.94%) in favor of the old look.  It looks like the new look is here to stay.  Thanks again for letting me know.

Only a couple of weeks to go

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Winding down

It doesn’t seem possible that I have been here at Ochoco Divide NFS campground for almost 4 1/2 months.  I am scheduled to close up the park at the end of the month.  I still keep getting a steady flow of campers although not as many.  I think it is due to the fact that this area has not gotten any rain yet, however it is getting colder at night.  Day time temps are still in the 80’s and Thursday it is supposed to go up to 90, but the night temperatures have gone done to the 40’s and even the 30’s.  There is still much to do here as I have bathroom floors and picnic tables to paint on top of the regular routine.

Not too many cyclists left

I am still getting a few cyclists coming through the campground usually looking to just take a break after climbing a long hill from Mitchell, OR and also needing water.  Dan and Isabella are from Sisters, OR and they came through here headed east about a week ago.  I gave them some water then and they headed on their way.  This past week they came through on their return trip and also stopped for a rest and some fresh water.  They had cycled to Joseph, a little town next to Hell’s Canyon and east of the Wallowa mountain range.  That must have been some beautiful scenery.

Almost to the East Coast

A few days ago I sent my friend Jack an text message asking him how he was doing and where he was.  Jack started out his cycling adventure in Florence, OR and his goal was the Atlantic Ocean.  He called me and said he was in Kentucky and only had about 450 miles to go to finish.  What an accomplishment!

Not really too much else to report but I am looking forward to hitting the road soon.

Check out this lifestyle

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I love to talk to cyclists

Whenever I see a cyclist stopped in my campground I always take the opportunity to talk with them.  They have a million stories to tell and are usually very open about sharing them with you.  A few days ago I saw Don resting at the entrance to the campground.  I naturally went up to him and asked if he needed any water.  He had plenty, but was willing to pose for a photo and share with me where he had been and where he was going.

What a lifestyle change!

Originally Don lived in San Diego, CA but this is where the adventure begins.  He sold his home and from the profits he decided to hit the road.  This is where his lifestyle varies from my.  I drive a 27 ft. RV with 6 tires down the road.  Don has 2 wheels and a small tent for his abode.  What a difference!

Many people think I am crazy living the lifestyle I live.  I think Don is crazy for the lifestyle he lives.  But everyone has their own lifestyle that they enjoy.  Whatever makes that person happy is all that counts.

Off to Europe

Well, after selling his home he went to Europe for 1 1/2 years, where he biked all over Europe.  He mentioned that it was difficult in some parts due to the language barrier.  Poland was one place he found to be very friendly.

All down the west coast

On his return from Europe he cycled all the way from Vancouver, BC to La Paz, MX.  What a trip that must have been!  Right now he has been on the road 3 months and has been to Washington, Montana, Yellowstone, Wyoming, Idaho and was on his way to Bend, OR.  What a magnificent journey!

Here is a pic of Don living his lifestyle.

Whether you abode is a stick house, an RV or a bike with tent as long as you love your lifestyle that is all that matters.  As different as they are both, Don and I love our own lifestyles.

Interesting stories

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Close friends since the 1st grade

I met two ladies who arrived in the campground with a special friendship.  They have been friends since the 1st grade.

Judy on the left lives in Bridge, OR and Kate lives in Remote, OR.  These are small towns that are right next to each other not far from the Oregon coast.  Their families have a long history of growing up in these towns.  Judy’s grandmother Davis named the town of Remote back in the 1800’s.  Kate’s family now owns the town of remote.  They were using Ochoco Divide campground as a base to search for thunder eggs and geodes in the area.  What an interesting story!

Loves to compete in rallies

Will was another cyclist who stopped in for a much needed fill-up of water.  He is from Laramie, WY and he loves cycling in Central Oregon.  He mentioned he has also competed in the Cascade Lakes Rally.

Good friends experiencing the road

Also met more cyclists coming through the campground.  Peter and Cole stayed at the campground overnight on their way to Yellowstone NP.  They were both from Sebastopol, CA and had just spent some time in the Bend, OR area.

Friends that just met a few miles from here

Jonathan on the left in the next pic is from Philadelphia, PA.  He started his cross country adventure from Pleasant, NJ and is heading to Florence, OR.  Jonathan has a blog at jandhisbike.blogspot.com telling all about his travels.  He mentioned that he had broken his camera on the way out here so I promised to send him the photos.

Weston on the right was from Lawrence, KS.  He started his trip in Kansas and was heading to Portland, Seattle and then Vancouver.  They both were very thirsty when they hit here as the weather was very hot.

Jonathan and Weston met each other in Mitchell, OR just 17 miles east of here and were only going to travel together until Prineville, OR where they would each head separate ways.

Everyone coming into the campground has an interesting story.  Plus they are all usually glad to share it with you if you take the time to listen.

Bicyclists

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Right next to the transamerica bike trail

Ochoco Divide campground is right off Highway 26 in central Oregon.  It is one of the TransAmerica Bicycle Trails that is created by the Adventure Cycling Association.  They have maps you can purchase that show all the routes from the west coast to the east coast and vice versa.  I have noticed most of the riders I have seen carry these compact maps on there bikes where they can refer to them.  They are also detailed with elevations, etc.

I always enjoy seeing the riders with all their gear riding along Hwy 26 as well as other routes.  I thought I would take this opportunity to show you some of the people who have come through this camp site.

Headed to Canada and Banff

The first people I met were a Ron and Debbie from Redmond, OR who had just started their adventure that day.  They only stopped here for water, which I was happy to oblige.  They mentioned that they were headed to Canada and on to Banff.  I told them to stop by here on their way back to tell me how it went.

My friend Jack – is he crazy?

The next guy I saw was a good friend of mine.  He and I go back 2 years and we communicate with each other quite often.  Jack decided this year that he was going to fulfill one of his dreams to bicycle across the country.  He and his bike took a train to Eugene, OR and then bicycled to the coast for the official start.  He stopped in here to have lunch with me and chatted for a couple of hours and then he was on his way again.

A wonderful family out on a bike ride

The next bicyclists I saw stayed in the campground over night.  They had traveled from Portland, OR and their destination was Baker City, OR where they were going to meet up with their family.  This was a family of four.  The father, Chris was on a bike built for three and also carried is daughter Alexis followed up with his son Jackson.  That was a looong bike.  The mom, Melissa rode a bike that pulled a trailer caring a lot of their gear.  They were so much fun to talk with.

Max came all the way from London, England

The next cyclist was the first one I have seen from the east coast.  Max was from London, England and he and his bike flew to South Carolina where he started his journey.  From South Carolina he cycled up to Kennebunkport, MA and then to the west coast.  He had been on the road 2 1/2 months when he arrived in the campground.  From here he was traveling to the Oregon coast and then down to the California redwoods and finally to San Francisco and eventually Los Angeles.  He then planned to fly to the Grand Canyon to see it and then home to London.  He was a very adventurous guy and traveled all by himself.  He said his biggest thrill cycling across the country was when he saw the Grand Tetons.  That blew him away.  What a fabulous journey!!

John a determined cyclist

The last cyclist I have encountered was John.  He started out from Seattle, WA and has made a giant loop of all the northwestern states.  He was headed over to the coast and then back up to Seattle.  I gave him some water which he really needed.  He mentioned that he couldn’t wait to get to a motel and bath and wash clothes.  He hadn’t changed his shorts in over 8 days.  What a bummer!

Lots of others too

I have seen many other cyclists but didn’t always have my camera handy.  They each had their own story to tell.  I have to hand it to them for their determination and strength to take on such an adventure.  They were all very interesting people.