Into Washington and the homestretch. No more rest days as I make the final push to the Pacific Ocean. My friend, Reed Walker, flew out to Lewiston, ID yesterday and joined me on the road. He will ride with me to Portland as we make our way through the arid regions of eastern Washington to the Columbia River and through the Columbia Gorge into the city.
Beginning at the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers, we entered a dry and hilly region of eastern Washington called the Palouse. Composed of silt dunes formed during the last ice age, the Palouse is now productive farmland home to vast fields of wheat, barley and mustard. Our ride today featured several climbs including a somewhat severe 10 mile, 2000 foot climb out of the L-C Valley towards Pomeroy, WA. In the bright summer sunshine, the brown wheat fields appear soft and willowy stretching on rolling hills in all directions. We spotted deer wading through the fields, sheep and cattle grazing upon immense slopes, and even a snake sitting on the roadway. Giant windmills towered over the hills slowly turning in the light breeze.
Our route also brought us to several interesting small towns here in southeastern Washington. The small farming town of Dayton - one of the older communities in Washington formed along the Oregon Trail - offered several options for brunch including the excellent Weinhard Cafe. Leaving aside the wisdom of cycling after drinking a beer, we stopped by a microbrewery in Waitsburg - the Laht Neppur. Arriving in Walla Walla, we discovered a town with more wine tasting places than cross streets. Apparently, the region, with its dry climate, is known for its vineyards. The Charles Smith Tasting Room is one of innumerable local wine tasting spots. For those teetotalers, the main street offers plenty of inviting cafes, restaurants, and antique shops.
Beginning at the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers, we entered a dry and hilly region of eastern Washington called the Palouse. Composed of silt dunes formed during the last ice age, the Palouse is now productive farmland home to vast fields of wheat, barley and mustard. Our ride today featured several climbs including a somewhat severe 10 mile, 2000 foot climb out of the L-C Valley towards Pomeroy, WA. In the bright summer sunshine, the brown wheat fields appear soft and willowy stretching on rolling hills in all directions. We spotted deer wading through the fields, sheep and cattle grazing upon immense slopes, and even a snake sitting on the roadway. Giant windmills towered over the hills slowly turning in the light breeze.
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| Windmills over the Palouse |
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| A climb in the Palouse |
Starting Point - Lewiston, ID
Ending Point - Walla Walla, WA
Distance - 96.5 miles
Cumulative Distance - 2938.9 miles
Vertical Elevation - 5808 feet
Counties - Nez Perce, ID; Asotin, Garfield, Columbia, Walla Walla, WA
Wind - variable crosswind
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