Bike Ride - 58 miles to Dexter Lake

Pedometer map of ride

Get up early, and ride before it gets too hot.
At least that's what I was thinking the night before.
Slept through the alarm and Jeannie getting ready for work.

On the road by 10, I decided to ride to Dexter Lake (this is where the roadhouse bar scene from Animal House was filmed).
Headed through Eugene and Springfield and finally got out into the country on the road to Jasper.
Stopped for a drink, chatting with a Park Ranger for about 10 minutes.
Back on the road, noting that everything smelled very sweet in the summer heat.
The smell of fresh cut hay as a loaded truck passed by. Pine trees and blackberries filled the air everywhere.

Rode through three covered bridges along the way. Tempted to stop and cool off in the river, but kept going anyway.
A quick stop for water and granola in Lowell, and back on the road.
Decision time... ride down into Cottage Grove and back home through the Lorrane Valley? or cut it short and get out of the heat? Cottage Grove it is!... no wait... it's too damn hot... After meandering through the fields of Pleasant Hill, I point the bike back towards Eugene. The wine country will wait another day.
Road past a huge group of parked cars at the entrance "Bring Beach / Glassbar Island" . A perfect day for skinny dipping, at least that's what most of Eugene was thinking! Me... I just wanted to get home.
Back into Springfield, I encountered an unusual site, as a work crew was repairing the bike path under I-5. Three flaggers were in place for the sole purpose of routing bicyclists through the construction zone! As is often noted.... only in Eugene!
Back in town... a cruise through and empty U of O, past the fairgrounds ... more sweet smells of food and fair goodies.... and on to home.