Pomeroy to Walla Walla, WA 7/30

I met my God, Sean, for the day!

Today was the worst I felt physically and it's hot as hell and the winds had picked up. I knew that I could make the ride of 67 miles now that the end of the big climb was in sight. I look forward, I usually look forward and there is a pick up truck in the shoulder. We'll, Sean exits the truck holding two cold bottles of water. Am I dreaming. And it turns out that Sean is going to Walla Walla!!!

I had a great time chatting with Sean. We both love the scenary and he knew a lot about the area having been here for work since April. We'll keep in touch.

Steven decided he would prefer to ride the whole route. I'm enjoying myself in downtown Walla Walla. I had a big breakfast and more nice conversation at the counter. Now I'm enjoying a Frappucinno in Starbucks, writing this blog and enjoying the view from my air-conditioned window front seat.

Lewiston ID to Pomerey, Washington 7/29

I might have enough bandwidth to write this post. Steven and I planned to quit early today after our climb if it got too hot. It did, and we quit at noon and got an air conditioned room in a roadside motel. The hotel owner said that the bakery is the only restaurant in town and that there is a grocery store. When I cook, I usually cook from scratch. Tonight and soon I will be feasting on Marie Calendar's Sweet and Sour Chicken. Steven just put it into the microwave for me. Better than that though, he went to the Bakery and came back with two slices of Cheery Pie. We got the road about 7:30am and the temp was in the 70s we soon crossed the snake River and then then entered in Washington State. When we moved north of the Snake River  several miles later we climbed from about 500' to 2750'. It's kind of fun to watch the sweat beads fall on the ground during quick breaks from this climbing

effort. The temp crossed the 100 degree point. I try to think about the scenery and how well my body works to move me up the mountain. We were helped today by a noticible tailwind which was a little cooling at it's tail. Several miles later we summited. It's fun to enjoy the downhill after summiting. At the top it was windy, like in our face wind. There were signs warning truckers to engage low gears. I read a blog from a rider who said he hit 43mph on the way down with a slowing wind. NOT

SO, what a disappointment. Steven went first and didn't pedal for a few miles and didn't go more than 17mph at a max. I didn't want too but had to pedal down most of Alapowa pass. Oh well. Took some pictures and I don't know if I have the b

and width to post. Tomorrow Walla Walla Washington. 

Kamiah to Lewiston, ID 7/28 67 miles

I was dreading today because of the expected heat of 107 and with the fear of headwinds this was a ride that I didn't want to take. Joy for us, instead we got up early ate a quick breakfast at the hotel and we're on the road before 7:30am, with a supported tail wind! I think that we averaged 14.3 miles for the 67 miles. The river again was beautiful. The mountains are much diminished and balding due to the dester type conditions. We spend our day on the two lane rte 12 with logging trucks, pickups and RVs. The traffic wasn't very heavy there was a shoulder of varying widths and some vehicles you were close enough to touch but I wouldn't dare. The habit here is too keep spinning and keep your line. During the day we got to know three young men on Summer vacation from Temple on their first ever bicycle trip which happens to be a cross country trip. I congratulated them and they told us that we are inspirational. We enjoyed their company. I hope we get to see them again.

We are taking a short day tomorrow and that will leave us fresh for an early morning climb over Pomerey, Washington!

July 26 and 27 Rt12 Idaho Lolo Mountains

We've spent the last couple of days descending by making endless S curves on Lolo Mountain against the river Loshsa The river is now the Clear Water and is the confluence of three rivers. The big part of the decent from the 5200' pass was excellent. My bike swept me around so many corners from the middle of this near empty rte 12 was ideal. We were treated of views from almost shear vertical mountains supporting vertical pine trees by the millions. The mountains and pine trees seemed endless for over 100 miles. It was dazzling to watch them unfold from a bike. It was also interesting to study them through all parts of the day. On my right for two days decending was the sparking s curve river being fed by streams everywhere, sometime flowing from a narrow rage through being placid.I've seen a few dozen fly fisherman too. It lends a bit of a Norman Rockwell feel to the experience. The heat is oppressive now in Idaho. Steven and I cycled 60 miles to a hotel after spending three nights in a row camping and the last two without a shower. We've got 66 miles to cover tomorrow. I don't really want to go to Louisville, ID in that kind of heat. We are 480 miles from finishing. It's extra hard when so close. The towns are so far apart.

I'm tired of the effort. I'm tired of the bike seat. I miss all of my friends and my routines and my cat Nifty 

Looks like the total mileage from this trip will be 4000.