"Sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together." ~ Marilyn Monroe

Friday, June, 15 2012  (Day 9)
Three Rivers Campground, Kooskia, ID
Miles:  57  MPH:  11.7  Max:  30  Total:  510

Getting started on another beautiful day

Clearwater River Canyon

Another beautiful day!  Rejuvenated from our night in luxury, we said good-bye to new friends (last night two more cyclists arrived at the hotel!!) and again went East on Route 12.  All day we traversed the winding Clearwater River Canyon.  Our route followed in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark.  It was in 1803 that President Jefferson commissioned Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to find the Northwest Passage, the link between the Missouri River and the Columbia River through the unexplored Rocky Mountains.  I actually brought along an audio book about Lewis and Clark but too much adrenaline in the evenings to relax with a book!!  I've been reading the signs along the road though!!

Logging Truck

Just like yesterday, we pedaled through a postcard.  Saw a deer run along the highway,  lots of fishermen, logging trucks, and dozens of waterfalls.  Rt 12 is just a spectacular road.  Across the river, there were a few homes -- no roads but homes.  Folks that live there have a personal cable car from the highway to their home that zips them across the whitecaps on the Clearwater River.  We even road through an Indian Reservation!!  Not really a big deal since we didn't even know we were until we saw the sign, "Now Leaving the Nez Perce Indiana Reservation!!"  Easily we rode the short 57 miles and arrived at Three Rivers Motel and Campground.  We're camping -- our 7th night now camping (and my friends said I couldn't do it!!) The campground is a bit run down, but we like it....besides its the only spot for miles (like 66 miles!!)  The town's sign read, "Lowell, population 34 and the 34 was crossed out and 33 written in!! haha!  All 33 residents hang out at the Three Rivers Motel!  The Motel's bar scene is hopping!

My bike is sooooooo happy!

Today's jewel -- The bakery in Kamiah, a small town we passed through.  We bought a loft of honey whole wheat bread, a loft of olive and basil bread, and homemade granola -- our reserves for crossing the Rockies!

We cut out about 250 miles when we rerouted through Washington toward Lewiston and Clarkston.  We have loved every inch of this route and feel it was meant to be.  We are behind in where we thought we would be total miles, but ahead of schedule by 2 days for reaching the Three Rivers Motel!  We'll shorten our days as we pedal the mountains getting to Yellowstone and take more time to enjoy the awesome scenery.  We should be right on our original  target when we reach Yellowstone!!!

Tomorrow we climb 66 miles uphill!  But that's not the worse part!  We'll still have another 13 miles to the summit and they save the steepest grade for last!  We're ready!  :-)

Missing Home!!  Crazy Idaho and Washington don't have ATT cell service so we haven't been able to talk to home much!!  xo

Three Rivers Pool

♪♪♪ "Your glory shines before our eyes...the more we see, the more we love You." ♪♪♪ ~ Matt Redman

Thursday, June 14, 2012 (Day 8)
Best Western, Orofino, ID
Miles:  57  MPH:  11  Max:  22.5  Total:  453



Idaho welcomed us!! 

Today's directions....Make a left on Rt 12 and continue!!!

Morning at Chief Timothy Campsite

It was like riding through a post card all day!  We rode along the Clear Water River with towering mountains all around.  First the mountains were rocky and brown and then they turned green covered with a lush pine forest.  Every view could be on a post card.

The riding was easy (compared to yesterday :-).  Weather has been perfect the past few days (thank-you Joe!)  We got to our destination early and headed for the library to catch up with our blog, emails, facebook-----all the home news :-)

Stopped for ice-cream and I asked what was the local favorite.  Huckleberry Heaven - made locally!!  Yep, it was heaven!

The Gorgeous Clear Water River

We had planned to stay at a campground, but it didn't look very nice.  Jack convinced me on a hotel, so here we are in luxury!

We will climb over the Rockies this week-end!  We may not have many services to post to the blog, so we'll catch up when we can! In just a week, John will meet up with us in Yellowstone!

 Beautiful Biking Day!

I checked our donations today!  Wow!!  We are at 65% of our goal with our friends and family donating $3,225 to the Special Olympics.  Hooray!!!  Thank-you.  We are amazed by your generosity.  We are sorry that thank-you notes may be slow coming while we are on the road......but please know that your donation inspires us each moment of our amazing ride!  xo

Missing Home!!

Post card views all day!

"There are no shortcuts to any place worth going." ~ Beverly Sills

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.

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!

This is a road!  We walked it!!!!!!!

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!" 

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!!!

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!!!

Wow!  What a day!

xoxo

"A bit off the beaten track, but that's a good thing."

Tuesday, June 12, 2012 (Day 6)
Lewis and Clark Trail State Park, Dayton, Washington
Miles:  75  MPH:  11.6  Max:  40  Total:  336

Good Morning!

Good-bye beautiful Oregon!  Hello Washington!!

Beautiful morning with a sun rise over the desert like landscape.  I was ready for today's unknown after finally getting a good night sleep!  Riding Rt 730, we had Oregon's jagged canyon wall on our right with the Columbia River and Washington's brown hilly landscape on our left.  Most trucks gave us plenty of room, although Jack said he liked when they speed by close, creating a wind tunnel and "sucking" us along!!

Turning onto Rt 26 the landscape turned from brown to green and we arrived in the cute  college town of Walla Walla Washington.  Craving pizza, we order a whole pie with the intent to take 1/2 along for dinner.  Dinner turned into PB&J since we ate the entire pizza for lunch!

At the local bike shop, we met another cross country biker.  He was riding as part of a group of 4 but lost his group.  I never saw so much gear carried on a single bike -- he had a blow up sink, camp shower, stove, 2 sleeping bags, tent, and all kinds of clothing!! haha!  He looked exhausted!

Oh shi.......ft!!

Armed with a local bike map from the bike store, we continued our ride on a stunning country road.  The view from our windshield was incredible!!  Riding 20 miles, we only had 5 cars pass us!  The pedaling proved tough with rolling hills as we climbed to 1900 feet lugging a loaded trailer!  Wheat fields now covered the landscape.  After 72 miles we setup camp at the Lewis and Clark Trail State Park -- rustic and run down!

Starting to worry about the Rockies!!

Saw our first CASE tractor!  My son is gonna make these :-)

xoxoxoxox  Really missing home!!

"A journey is best measured in friends, rather than miles." ` Tim Cahill

Monday, June 11, 2012 (Day 5)
Hat Rock Campground, Hermisten, OR
Miles:  63  MPH:  12.3  Max:  23  Total:  261

Thank-you God for another glorious day!

Another sleepless night with the train whistle blowing all night!  Our marina campsite was right on the railroad tracks!  Well I was awake for the beautiful sunrise!

Upon leaving Arlington, almost immediately, psssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss -- a third flat!!  All out of spare bike tubes, we aimed for the bike store in Hermisten, Oregon.  Here bad luck turned good when we found Scotts Cycle and Sports!  The owner is like a good friend from the moment you meet!  He pulled out his Atlas and provided advice on the next several day's route.  We went for lunch while my bike received new rear brake pads.

I thought I was getting off cheap for lunch.  The coffee shop had delicious croissant sandwiches for only $3.00.  Only they were so good, Jack needed a second!  I really don't think I can continue to feed him for 55 days!  Back at the bike store, I was only charged for materials for my new pads - no labor, then Scott (we think that is his name!) gave us energy gel as a gift and told us to dump all our water bottles and fill up with his filtered water!!  Truly a super nice and friendly man!  We love you Scotts Cycles!

The day got stinking hot. The landscape flattened out.  We left Oregon's forestry woods and entered a desert like landscape.  Huge logging trucks and trucks filled with onions sped by and littered the roadside with onions. 

Thousands of windmills filled the landscape

Dinner!

Our last Oregon evening was spent at Hot Rock Campground--our favorite spot so far!  We wanted a campfire to cook our hot dogs but there wasn't any wood for sale.  A family saw our need and a young boy and girl carrying an arm load of wood came over and said, "We'd like to share!!"  Another young boy, about 6 years old, came over to compare his small bike to mine.  Later he told me that he thought I was a KID!  haha!  He told his Mom he wanted to play with me :-)  Yep made my day!  Loving every minuet with Jack!  He's doing great!! 


OMG!  I miss everyone at home!!

"It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus, you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of the country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle." ~ Ernest Hemingway

Sunday, June 10, 2012 (Day 4)
Marina Campground, Arlington, OR
Miles:  84  MPH:  13.3  Max:  33  Total:  198

Greeted by the sun and a clear view of the snow capped Mt. Hood as we hit the road early, we were rejuvenated!

Jack decided that he had enough of my scenic up-down, up-down, windy road that meandered through the country side, so he aimed us for interstate-84!!  It's legal in Oregon to ride the interstate!  We cruised along on the wide smooth surface and rode 30 miles by 9 am when we stopped for breakfast.

The specialty in the Dalles coffee shop was french toast topped with glazed bananas and walnuts.  We split it along with an omelet with roasted peppers, asparagus, feta cheese, bacon, and tomatoes!  Five Stars!!  The sun, easy riding, and great breakfast refueled us and we decided that we should attempt to ride further today so tomorrow wouldn't be the near 100 mile day that was planned.

Mt Hood

 Picking up some extra water, a very nice man talked to us about our planned route.  He convinced us that my idea to head south to the town of Joseph and Wallowa Lake was not a good one without any support.  It was remote, few services, and very steep.  Without support, he didn't think it was smart to attempt!  So I guess thoseplaces will stay on my bucket list!  We will now simply head north from Oregon to Washington and then into Idaho rather than the zig-zag path I had planned.  The good news is that it is shorter, so we will have a built in cushion!!

Continuing on 84, we were loving the fast pace.....easily we pedaled at 17-18 mph!  The scenery was spectacular.  Riding along the Columbia River on the border of Washington and Oregon you could see how wind, the river, and God's hand shaped the land.  Oregon was filled with the craggy rocky cliffs of the Cascade mountains, while Washington's landscape contained gentle smooth hills dotted with miles of windmills.  A deer ran directly in front of Jack's bike.  Just Breathtaking!!

First of 2 Flats!

Our high spirits  dampened a bit as we were slowed down by 2 flat tires!! UGH!  Still we biked 82 miles today--the furthest that Jack had ever biked, and we felt pretty good!  Our odometer registered 34 mph for our top speed and we averaged 13 mph for the day!!  Not bad :-)

We reached the small town of Arlington where we thought we could camp in the town park, but we were told it wasn't allowed.  We found a marina close by that let us put up our tent for $10!  We had to use a public bathroom to wash up - again no showers!!  I blocked the door and proceeded to bath in the sink!!  I feel like I'm turning into a cave women!

Hoping to find a bike shop tomorrow to restock our tire tubes!!
Missing Home xoxoxoxoxox

"Two are better than one....If one falls down, his friend can help him up." - Ecclesiastes 4:-1

Saturday, June 9, 2012 (Day 3)
Tucker Park Campground, Hood River, OR
Miles:  62  MPH:  9.52  Max:  34  Total:  114

OMG!!!  Rain, Rain, more Rain, I think sleet, wind, rain, rain and more rain!!!!!

Today was to be all about breathtaking beauty as we bike the beautiful gorge.  It is gorgeous, but we were numb most of the day so I don't think we loved it as much as we could have!!

Historic Route 30!!

Multnomah Falls

The ride began with a major 6 mile climb taking us to almost 900 feet!  The twisty steep downhill was a white knuckle ride for me!  There are are least a dozen large water falls right along the road - truly amazing.  When we got to Multnomah Falls, a double 611 foot tall roaring, awe inspiring cascade of icy water, we warmed up with hot coffee.  The bathroom at the visitor's center provided further comfort---it had a hot air hand dryer.  We used it to warm our hands, feet, dry our socks, gloves and shoes!!!  I just smiled at the visitors who walked by as if what I was doing was normal!!!

Falls are Beautiful!

The rain tapered to a drizzle and we bought local cherries and apples along the road for our lunch!  Reaching the town of Hood River by late afternoon, we were starting to get a bit down :-)  During the morning, I felt like I was trying to keep Jack and my spirits high.  Then as I tired with the cold and wet, he was the one pushing us along!  We were both happy to set up the tent and regroup!

Gotta Do What You Gotta Do! - Drying our shoes!

The campsite was along the powerful Hood River, a very pretty site.  The campground itself was a bit of a dump!  No showers tonight and we were filthy!  Hoping the sun shines tomorrow!!


Missing Home xoxoxxo