Day 7 extra for the g'babies

These wonderful road sculptures deserved our attention and enjoyment. XO

Day 7 Pomeroy WA to Lewiston ID

Stats:
41.5 miles
total climbing 1151 ft
total mileage 363

Hard to believe that we have pedaled past three quilt shops and they have all been closed! I had a plan, but the quilting goddesses must be vacationing elsewhere! So we pedaled on or should I say UP. In our lowest alpine gear, we alpined. It amazes me how long we can go 3 mph and remain upright. After a very long climb, we reached our highest elevation yet, a mere 2803 feet. The strangest part was that the landscape became flat. It is the first extended flatness that we have seen since the start of our trip. There was a light breeze and the temperature was quite comfortable. Then began the zoom downward. The 7 mile zip down the mountain led us to the Snake River Valley. We traveled along the river until we found a shady place for lunch. Then is was off to Clarkston and over the Clearwater River into Lewiston. Then it happened, our first flat. The cause was a teeny, tiny nail. As Paul began the repairs, a gentleman stopped to chat. He gave Paul a ride to the local bike shop for the use of a floor pump. I stayed and guarded the bike and savored the quiet along the river. Soon we we off too a motel on the outskirts of town and a delicious dinner at the local Chinese restaurant. Tomorrow will head out early to avoid some heat and make our way across Idaho.

Day 6 Dayton WA to Pomeroy WA

First off , we need to thank our warm showers hosts for a wonderful evening and breakfast. Fred and Genie made our stay in Dayton memorable. And after we left there, they recommended a formagerie down the road for goat cheese,which we purchased for our lunch later in the ride. Naturally a coffee break came next, Dayton had a lot of neat shops,most of which were closed,but we managed to find Jitters open , very good coffee in a neat old building. Speaking of which , the old train depot is the oldest one in the state. Years ago one can only imagine it being the hub of activity in town, but now its museum.
Later on we came upon the sign all bicyclists drool over,and this one was true to its word. The downhill lasted for 6 miles,and we could have done better than our top of 38, but erred on the side of caution. That was some coast. Made us hungry , so at noon we stopped in back of a garage to enjoy the chevre with apples on a roll.
We managed to get into town early and saw two touring bikes at Donna's drive in. It was Kyle and Sarah from Virginia, doing a loop tour ,coming from the direction we are headed. Naturally we wanted to hear all about their ride and what was in store for us, so we joined them for dinner and had a wonderful evening swapping touring stories. Hopefully the weather gods will be kind to them as they have been experiencing the headwinds that have been our tailwinds.
We really have to end this now,as we are on the sidewalk in front of the Coffee House, its dark,and we have to ride a mile back to the motel. Stats and such will be posted at our next internet connection. Stats for the day : 42 miles;total climbing 1502 feet;total so far 322 miles

Day 5 Walla Walla WA to Dayton,WA

Perspective is really something. In NJ we take 1800' elevation, put a monument on it and call it High Point on a mountain. Around here is just a hill, albeit a REALLY big hill surrounded by lots of other really big hills. All the hills are planted with peas, soft white wheat or alfalfa or just left fallow. The pattern that the farmers use to plant the seed and the different colors of the crops result in a landscape that is almost eerie, but it is always breath takingly beautiful. Pedaling over hill and dale does absolutely no justice to our trip for today. Before we left Walla Walla we hit the laundromat and then made one more trip through the center of town conning someone to take our picture with the bronze dog. (A shout to Scout and the D-O-G-S) After the ups and downs of Middle Waitsburg Road, Paul needed to rest. I wonder if Lewis or Clark slept here since the park is named after them and is on the trail of their return trip. Finally we arrived at our night's lodging. This was our first experience as Warm Showers guests and what a marvelous experience it was. Genie and Fred were fascinating hosts. Genie also quilts and has a magnificent wall quilt made from a tapestry. After a delicious home cooked meal, we sat in their yard taking in the view of their valley. It was the perfect end to a fabulous day. Stats for the day were 30 miles, Total climbing 1527 feet. Total mileage so far 280.

Day 4 Umatilla OR to Walla Walla Wa

Stats for July 3rd. 57 miles, Total climbing 1025 feet, total miles 240.
No better way to start the day than with a cup of coffee at the McNary Convenience store ,just up the road from the McNary Dam. Tried my luck with the scratch off, won 2 bucks ,and gave it back to the state. But the coffee was good and Jane enjoyed talking to the clerk.
Then we had strong winds yet again, and they carried us along Wallaulla Lake, which is what the dam creates. Anyone know what the birds are, they look like a cross between a pelican and a crane? Naturally the railroad was close by, any rail fan would have a field day in these parts.
We though riding along the river today was the highpoint of the trip so far. Traffic was light, and the road descended gradually with views on both sides. It was hard to leave this behind, but we're sure we will have equally spectacular vistas the whole trip.
After yesterday it was good to end early ,and we checked into Walla Walla at 3:30 . Plenty of time to clean up and do laundry,and then walk into the town for some grub. We enjoyed a pesto calzone from one place, sweet onion sausage from another and then finally a killer taco with way hot sauce from a grease truck. Our plan is to spread the stimulus money all across the country , doing our part to jump start the economy.
We hope everyone has a Happy Fourth of July, I know we will. Bye for now.

Biggs to Umatilla

Stats for today ,Moving time 7hrs38min. 12 mph avg. total climbing 2234 feet. 88 miles, 185 total.
Yesterday we cheated death, riding on the interstate, the only way east in some parts of the country. Dodging blown up tires, glass and other debris kept us busy, leaving little time for enjoying the surroundings,at least on that part of the ride. So today was much better.
Leaving Biggs, the phone rang, but Jane wasn't too busy so she took the call. Good thing we can't get cited for biking while talking, so if anyone wants to call us please do. Its nice to know we can be reached anywhere .
Unlike on the interstate , there was lots to see. The sky is ever changing,and those windmills are very Christo-esque in a weird sort of way, very calming . They make a whooshing sound,and up close are huge. Electricity is very important to us,so why not get it this way.
We stopped for a snack in this little store ,and got to be the first to sign the new bikers register. The lady did say there was a small restaurant down the road a piece , but when we got there it was closed, so on we went. It really wasn't too hard on account of the wind. I dreamed about riding in these conditions, winds pushing us along at 20 mph with only soft pedaling,and to have it actually happen was unbelievable. You could carry on a conversation normally,and the only thing I had to do was steer while Jane knitted away. Very sweet.
It got to be time for lunch, so we had to get out of the sun, what better place than a railroad underpass. And after that I spied a set out track complete with wheelsets, so if you ever get the call Markie you are all set.
The sky is ever changing,and west of us it darkened, strange to see the rain falling down. We did get to try out the rain covers,but before long it was behind us while we pushed on to Umatilla. Starting at 6am , ending at 5pm, not too shabby for two slopokes, but the wind did all the work on this ride, we were along for the ride,and what a great ride it was.

Day 2 Cascade Locks to Biggs

Info for June 30:
Distance 34 miles
Total climbing: 1654 feet
July 1
Distance: 66 miles Total: 100 miles
Total climbing:2903 feet
THE GOOD, THE BAD, and THE UGLY
Truth be told, there has been no "ugly" on this trip. And the only "bad" was that 21 of our 66 miles were pedaled on I-84. Yes, they do things differently on Oregon and the interstate is part of the Lewis and Clark Trail. So as the triple trailer trucks sped by, we just kept pedaling. (And even though I am 58 years old, NO ONE is to tell my mother!!!) The scenery has been beautiful. We started our day in the rainforests of the Northwest and ended in the high desert of Oregon. The wild flowers have been varied and colorful. The "good" also included freshly picked local cherries. The most remarkable view was from the Rowena Crest. After a peanutbutter and jelly sandwich picnic, we flew down the side of the mountain on the road designed with switchbacks and impressive views of the Columbia River. Although Paul has retired from the railroad, many trains traveled beside us all day long. The engines going in and out of tunnels was a rail fan's moment of joy. Today's trip was enhanced by the prevailing westerlies which prevailed in a BIG way.