geology lesson

Before I get started on Sunday's ride, let's talk about last night (Saturday). I stayed at an RV/camp ground. It was a nice enough place. Cushy green grass to pitch the tent.

I have a bit of a phobia about my bide getting stolen. Each night I secure it. This night was no different. That night I slept more soundly than prevous nights. At 3:30 am I woke with a start. I heard click, click, click - like the sound the chain makes when you are walking it. I quickly unzipped my tent to see the bike securely fastened and a million sprinkler heads clicking away watering the cushy green grass!

Sunday was another hot flat day. I passed by Hat Rock. It is one of several volcanic plugs that resisted erosion during the Spokane Flood and was noted by Capt. William Clark. The Spokane Flood is the greatest known flood in earth history.

Later I passed a road (there are not many roads off these routes so you remember the ones you do pass) where you could go to the state prision, the state beach and see a historic landmark - all on the same road. Now if you had some one in the slammer, you could make the day of it!

I rode US730 the US12. On route 730 I am in the vicinity of Walla Walla Gap where the Columbia River cuts through the Horse Heaven Hills. This is at the southern end of western Washington's "Channeled Scablands", a deeply scarred landscape largely void of vegetation that resulted from the Spokane Flood.

The flood occurred between 18,000 and 20,000 years ago, was the culmination of a unique meeting of geoligical and meterological phenomena: A series of widespread lava flows, then a regional down-tilting of the landscape, followed by the deposition of a thick layer of wind-blown silt known as loess.

After the scablands there is a long line of wind turbines. There are over 400 of them and they are part of the Stateline Wind Project.

My final destination is 330 S. Palouse St. Walla Walla, Washington. Here I am hosted by Dan Calzaretta. He and his family are part of Warmshowers.org. They open their home to me, giving me a bed, access to a shower and laundry. Their family of four biked across America last year. He is a teacher. His wife, Alison, is a peditrician. Throughout their home they have this sign posted:
From this joyful home
We go forth to be
loyal, responsible, couragous leaders.

Marathon

90 miles of flat rolling hills with a tail wind. Today's ride had me in Washington state.
For a while the land scape had large black rocks scattered about. They looked like reminants from and volcano eruption from a long time ago.
Saw lots of wind mills pumping out that clean energy. They must be more being built as trucks were going buy hauling the wings.
Had a flat tire about 55 miles into the ride. The rear one. Always fun to change.
Saw three people doing the trail going the other way. Watching them peddle against the wind made me glad I was going west to east.
I am in Umatilla, OR where I will stay the night.

Forget lions, tigers, and bears

How about fire, wind, and water. Twice today I had to take an alternate route because of forest fires. Then high winds kicked in. Luckily most of the time it was a tail wind. At the switchbacks, it did get a little dicey. Especially going down hill with shear cliffs on your left to plummet down or rock face on your right to slam into.
Dan would be proud. I made a 6 mile assent with a 5% grade with out walking.
Looks like rain ahead, so this will be short.
I am writing from The Dalles, OR. I have about 20 miles to go to reach Biggs where I will cross the river and camp in Washington.

Falls & Gorges

Today is a hot one. Luckily most of my ride is in the shade. An early start got me to the Vista House. The house was built in 1917. It has one of the best views in the entire Columbia Gorge.

I stopped frequently once I was on the Historic Columbia River High Way. There are many hiking trails and spectacular water falls to see. Mulnoniah Falls claims to be the second highest in the US. I hiked into the Oninina (sp?) gorge. To get there you have to wade through icy water, climb over a huge log and bolder dam and wade through more water. Once you get over that barrier you are at the bottom of a gorge that is about 25 feet wide. Just beautiful.

After riding on the Interstate 84 I was able to pick up a bike trail. No fun riding on an interstate. Tractor trailers here can haul three trailers. I had two trucks pass me with wind mill blades. At the end of the bike trail is a steep staircase with a grove in it for your bike. Good grief. I was glad I was going down it and not up.

I'm pecking at the keyboard in Cascade Locks, OR. The one room library is in the building that contains the "city" hall, a basketball gym and the library. Pretty hookie. I have about another ten miles to go and one decent size hill. Then I pitch my tent at Viento State Park.

Portland

I took full advantage of a sunny dry day. First stop was the Powell Book store. This stop was recommended to me by the couple I sat next to on the plane. It is the largest family owned book store in the country. It was amazing. As dorky as is sounds, better than a library. The brick building is three stories high and is divided up to into multiple rooms, each with it's own color. Neat place.

Then I rode up to the daily farmers market. Good stuff. Mushrooms, peaches, strawberries, tomatoes, garlic, salmon, cheese. I picked up a few items for tomorrows cookout.

From there I took a climb up to Keller Woods. From a few vantage points you could see the city, the Columbia river, the many bridges crossing it and Mt. Hood in the distance.

After a hot shower I met up with Chuck at the Horse Brass for a few beers and some fish and chips. Nice place. Good company. Conversation was easy and fun.

Plusses & Minuses of getting from here (CT) to there (OR)

Plus: Bike and camping gear arrived in Portland same day and time that I did.
Minus: Continental's Rosie the Riveter charged me $100 to sling my bike box and bag around.
Plus: Bike shop only 1 mile from Portland hotel and is open till 8:00 pm
Minus: Bike computer wires severed. $100 to replace.
To ease the $200 day, I am drinking a Rogue Dead Guy Ale at the Park City Pub. I decided to pass on the Philly Steak house special and opted for a chees quesadilla.
Not much to say about Portland today. Gas is over $2.90 a gallon. The temp today is the mid 60's. People are friendly.
The bike is ready to "Rock 'n Roll". (Which is the name of the model of the bike).

Trial pack

I packed the bags and hitched them up to the bike. I think I am actually 10-15 pounds lighter than my last trip. Half of that weight reduction came of my frame. I also rid myself of a heavy tarp, bought a lighter tent, and reduced the clothes. I even have extra room and I am resisting the temptation of filling space. For those of you have hiked or biked, you have a greater appreciation of understanding that every ounce lost is big.
I recently read about warmshowers.org and signed myself up both as a host and a participant. It's an online source for finding places to stay for those traveling by bicycle. Sounds like a great resource and a neat way to meet the locals.
The Lewis & Clark Trail is listed as one of the 1000 places to see before you die. The Columbia River Gorge in Oregon specifically. Another one to cross off the list!

Two wheels are headed to the

Lewis and Clark trail west to east. The trail extends from Astoria, Oregon to Hartford, Illinois a distance of more than 3,200 miles. President Jefferson's planned expedition through the Lousiana Purchase took more than two years and is considered a feat compariable to the landing of the moon.

I hope to cover a third of this in three weeks. I will start from Portland Oregon with a final destination of Helena, MT.

Thankfully I have a bicycle and paved roadways. I will be able to experience many of the same sights, sounds, and elements that Capt. William Clark and Capt. Meriwether Lewis encountered. The sense of exploration, awe and discovery.

Another bonus of bicycle travel is the people you meet along the way. I love discovering America and the people that make this country great.

Ten more days till the plane leaves. I've hauled the gear out of the attic. Made an inventory. Set up the tent. Rolled out the sleeping bag. Fired up the cook stove. Made the check list.