Last weekend Two weekends ago Jeff and I went down to Bend, Oregon for the Pole Pedal Paddle. One of his friends likes to get a team together for the race, and Jeff was to do the cross-country ski leg and the canoe leg. It was a good trip; I especially enjoyed the positive attitude of Erin, who flew up from Santa Barbara just for the running leg. She lugged two backpacks full of camping gear and homework, spent 5 hours waiting in a coffee shop on Friday, and still had a big smile on her face when we dropped her off on Sunday for another 3 hours of waiting at the airport. I was impressed.
Unfortunately I didn’t get any good pictures, which is partially the fault of the course. It’s not a good spectator race. However, I snapped a photo of Charlie’s on the way home.
Charlie’s is on Highway 97, just south of Madras, Oregon. Jeff first passed it on the way to the Pole Pedal Paddle three years ago, but his friends were not willing to risk their taste buds. I was game, but in spite of the sign, Charlie’s was not open when we passed by on Sunday at about noon. Next year, maybe.