Wednesday, June 13, 2012 (Day 7)
Chief Timothy Park, Clarkson, WA
Miles: 60 MPH: 9 Max: 40 Total: 396
Surreal!!! I asked Jack to describe today. He said, "Surreal." Today all we could think, "We can't believe we are doing this!!!!"
Leaving camp this morning we met two other bikers also traveling across the US. They said, "They had heard about us!!" Dave from Australia has biked all over the world. His friend, Rob (they only met 2 days ago!) was from PA. He just decided to take a break from work after 27 years, so he had 30 days to bike as far as he could get! Confessing my worries about crossing the Rockies, Dave assured me, with his years of wisdom, that I'll make it. His advice, "Go slow, take plenty of breaks, and enjoy the scenery!"
Coffee and treats at a wonderful local bakery fueled us for another new day full of the unknown. When we looked at today's directions from Google maps, it looked like the directions for bicycles was 10 miles shorter than by car. Woo Hoo a short cut!! We pedaled on Turner Road surrounded by wheat fields and hundreds of windmills. The wind was fierce but luckily mostly at our backs. When the curvy road turned and the wind blew across, we could hardly keep our bikes upright. Once, when we turned into the wind, it acted like a brick wall -- we had to walk until the road turned again.
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| The deer have no problem climbing the mountains |
Our hearts sank when we saw a large sign -- "Pavement Ends, Steep Grades, Loose Gravel!!" We tried pedaling on the gravel and our wheels spun in place! Not wanting to turn back into the wind, we remembered a house we passed about 1/2 a mile back, but the owner couldn't help. We decided to forge ahead, walking the bikes down a very steep 3 mile downhill to the bottom of a canyon. Then we started the uphill climb. The road was so steep there was several miles of switch backs! It was like mountain climbing and we took our bikes and trailer along for FUN! The scenery helped our spirits. The sky was a perfect shade of blue, we saw deer effortlessly run up the side of the mountain, wild flowers and purple lavender filled the land and bright yellow butterflies flew all around. After walking for several hours (we had flagged down the only vehicle that passed and stopped at the only other house we passed -- no help!), things got worse!!! We saw a sign that said, "Road Closed - Detour" - and an arrow pointed in the opposite direction informing us that it was a "15 mile detour!" OMG! Not having a better plan we continued on the "closed" road!! Luckily the guys working construction just laughed at us, stopped their work and let us pass by! Finally, the road turned back to pavement. The speed limit was 20 mph.......the downhill grade so steep that even with squeezing both brakes I couldn't keep my bike under 20 mph!!! -- No more shortcuts!
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| This is a road! We walked it!!!!!!! |
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| Wonderful Coffee House |
We regrouped in the town of Pomeroy with some coffee and cold drinks. Met another young couple taking about 90 days to bike the US.....Doesn't anyone work anymore? The couple said, "They had heard about us!!" We are becoming a trail legend!!! haha! At the coffee shop we were told of a campground about 25 miles away, so off we went. We got stuck in traffic due to a flipped semi-truck!
The day finished with a wild 25 mile ride! Some day I would love to drive the section of Rt 12 we biked! I can't even believe we did it. Signs declaring that trucks needed chains, trucks have to stop and check their brakes, run away truck ramps.......... We climbed to the Alpowa Summit Pass, at 2785 feet. Following the climb, we flew downhill for 7 miles. Jack's odometer recorded his speed at 45 MPH! My hands were bruised from squeezing the brakes so hard! We learned that this week-end there is a huge ride here up that very pass! You receive a Tee shirt if you make it to the top declaring "I made the grade!"
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| First Mountain Pass |
As we made our final decent to Chief Timothy Campground just outside of Lewiston/Clarkston, the towering mountains and a beautiful lake came into sight. I was overwhelmed by the beauty and today's ride! I burst into tears riding up to the ranger station! Chief Timothy is our new favorite campground!!! Just Amazingly Beautiful!! 6o miles today - about 7 miles was walking!!!
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| Chief Timothy Campground |
I can't believe that Jack and I are really doing this! We are starting to feel like we will actually pedal over the Rockie Mountains!! How crazy? I do know that I am very blessed to be able to be on this wild adventure. I'm thankful that Jack can and wants to do this with me -- that John has all along supported this crazy trip and is willing to stay home and take care of Flip and the house and that my Dad now lives close by and is taking care of my landscaping!!! Dear God - Thank-you so very much for all these Men in my life!!!
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| Wow! What a day! |
xoxo
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