Hey folks. I would move here just to say the name over and over! And it's a cute town...
Since We last talked in Lewiston, It's been lots of desert, hills and headwinds. We aren't making progress very fast. It doesn't help, I suppose, that Dylan and I are both just feeling sort of done with it. Mentally and physically, we're exhausted. And we keep hearing all these horror stories about the winds in the gorge...we met a couple the other day who hitch-hiked through it. I guesss the plan for now is to bike as far as we can/are able and take a bus the rest of the way. Who knows, maybe we'll get a second wind and fight our way through! But after all is said and done, we're on vacation. We're here to have fun, not to prove anything to ourselves or anyone else, and headwinds are NOT fun. We got to 3000 miles yesterday and thats good enough for me!!!
The scenery in this area is wierd. Like I said, at first it was just depressing hills of dead brown grass everywhere. It's beginning to turn a little more green, and now we're completely surrounded by wheat fields which is actually really pretty. Trees would be nice, but on the other hand I think it's cool how the land can change so dramatically in just 50 miles. It hasn't been quite so hot the last 2 days thankfully, or maybe it just seems that way because we always have a breeze on us (ok, theres one good thing about the wind...it keeps us fairly cool).
It feels very strange to be almost done. I feel like we're just starting to get good at this! We can finally bike a good distance every day, and we're getting good at setting up and taking down camp and knowing what to eat. I suppose we'll put everything we've learned on this trip into practice on the next one. What will we do every day when we don't have to bike? A lot of the time we think we're ready to get back to regular life, but there are definitely times when we consider just turning a new direction to see whats over there! We could ride forever! New York? Canada? Mexico? Across the ocean? But then I think about little Buckley and Abby, at home all alone wondering where mommy is...
In conclusion...ok, I guess I have no conclusion yet. Next time you here from Dylan and I will probably be Portland. We'll gather our thoughts and write up some kind of ending thing for you (and us). Send us strong thoughts and maybe we'll make it all the way!
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4 comments:
Hang in there, kids. The wind does not always blow in the same direction. I do know that cra-zoo windsurfers work the Wind River gorge for board sailing because of the crazy winds.
Eastern Washington and Oregon are unusual geo areas. Lots of winter wheat due to lack of rain and dry and hot conditions - on the 'other side' of the Cascades (where the rain doesn't fall). In Central Oregon (and perhaps up north) there are lava fields, old hard craggy fields of ancient lava... that look weird. I wouldn't want to jump around on that stuff.
If you check this again, take it easy. Take some days off. I think I musta missed your call yesterday or Sunday (I was talking on the phone and I saw the 815 area code come up, but I was on the phone with an east parent).
Love you!
Mad-Town-Dad
Keep pedaling! By the time you read this, you'll probably be in Portland.
Who are Buckley and Abby?
Love,
Grandpa Joel & Grandma Jan
Grandpa Joel and Grandma Jan...
Abby (a cat) and Buckley (a papillon dog) are Elly's pets... which have been hanging out at our place all summer.
(Elly's) Mad-town Dad (mark)
Aren't those wheat fields just frickin' AWESOME?
Good luck in the gorge, enjoy the scenery! When you have the time, e-mail me an address when you touch down, I've got a postcard for you both!
-Justin
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