Time Zones, Hills, and a Last Night With My Crew?

My alarm rang early this morning, but it was so cold in the RV I couldn’t bring myself to get out of bed. I snoozed four times before finally dragging myself up. Still half-asleep, I reached for yesterday’s sweater I had stashed away—thank goodness I found it. Breakfast was quick: cold coffee and a bagel, then I bundled up and stepped outside around 6:30am. My crew was still asleep, and the early morning chill bit into my skin.

As I passed the gas station, I noticed a sheriff’s car with blue lights flashing. Turns out, there had been a truck accident nearby. I couldn’t quite make out what had happened, but it was a quiet, somber reminder of how unpredictable the road can be.

The first stretch was all uphill. One long, straight road cutting across the vast high desert of Eastern Oregon. Low bushes lined the sides, and while the landscape looked barren from afar, the closer I got, the more beauty I saw—wildflowers of every kind, small and resilient. Ahead, the snowcapped Steen Mountains framed the horizon like a postcard, giving me something to run toward.

At mile 12, I reached a junction and turned off Highway 95 onto Highway 78—the Steen Highway. Different road, same vast stretch of openness. It felt like it could go on forever.

At mile 17, my crew met me for a much-needed break: water refill, snacks, bathroom, and a bit of chatting to lift the spirits. I headed off again knowing something special was coming soon—around mile 20, I reached the time zone change! From Mountain to Pacific Time. I saw the sign from far away and grinned as I ran past it: “Pacific Time – Set Your Watch Back One Hour.” Another sign of progress, another small milestone in this massive journey.

Every 5 miles or so, I’d meet my crew again. By noon, the wind had picked up and grew stronger as the hours passed. The landscape began to shift—gentle, rolling hills appeared on both sides, colored in shades of green and brown, dotted with a few lone trees. It felt like I was being slowly ushered into a new phase of the journey.

The last three miles were all uphill. I walked most of it, scanning for a decent place to camp. Eventually, we settled at the county border between Harney and Malheur, right beside what looks like a weather station. There’s no phone signal here, and strangely, our phones haven’t updated the time automatically, so we’re not quite sure what time it really is!

Once we parked, I showered using a makeshift bottle setup—basic, but refreshing. We had a snack and played a round of Skip-Bo, one of our favorite games. Then, just as the sun was fading, my friend Michael arrived! He’ll be helping me over the next few days after my crew leaves tomorrow. It was a bit tighter at the dinner table with four people in the RV, but it felt so good to know help was here.

My sister Daniela cooked a fantastic dinner—pasta with tomato sauce, parmesan, a fresh lettuce salad with eggs, pepper, and pumpkin seed oil. The perfect end to a long day.

It’s our last evening together as a trio. I already feel the ache of missing them. Their presence has meant the world—Susy and Daniela have made everything easier, warmer, and lighter. They’ve been my teammates, my supporters, and my laughter providers. I’ll never forget this time together.

Oh—and a little side note: today, a bird flew into the RV and couldn’t find its way out! My crew had to manage the situation (and clean up the mess it left behind). Problem-solving champions as always.

Thanks for following along. I’m signing off for the night—tomorrow brings a new route, a new rhythm, and one big step further into the unknown.

Much love from the high desert of Oregon, Andrea