Day 9: Center Ferry to Colfax, WA: 35 miles
Well, hamburger butt returned with a vengeance today! We packed up and left the Snake River at about 8:30 a.m. Our first experience was a 7+ mile uphill! Of COURSE I should have expected to climb back out of that Snake River valley, but I really didn't expect that much of a challenge right off the bat.
We had decided already to make this a short day because there are few services between Colfax and Spokane on our route, and we REALLY needed to to laundry. All our clothes were getting smelly and salty, even though we have washed almost every single day (or so it seems). What we didn't know at that time is that of our 35 miles today, about 25 of them were uphill. Not short steep Virginia uphills--long, gradual, depressing, and did I mention LONG--uphills! I used a lot of sailor language as we would round a curve and see yet MORE hill above us. At one point I thought we'd have to levitate to go any higher, but those hills just kept rising in front of us!
The downhills were fun today, but so much shorter. Our best moment was at the Dusty, WA Country Store where David found that they do indeed import good beer here! Of course, since we were mid-ride, he couldn't drink any--but at least he was happy to see it on the shelves.
So it was a hard day, with lots of uphills, and hamburger butt abounded! But we found a grocery store with more good beer and a good Mexican restaurant, and did lots of laundry--so we're ready for the next stage of the ride!
Spokane is next (tomorrow); then on to Idaho within the next two days!
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3 comments:
Wow! I am very happy to hear that a) you took a short day b) you did laundry and c) you found a good place to eat! I've been biking a lot and I hope to be able to keep up with you when I finally make it out there. I should be cleared to go on the 11th. I love you!
Great to hear from you today!!! I hope you have found David by now. You really should not let him wander off by himself. We are all enjoying reading about your big adventure. We want to join in the next one!!
I finally figured out how to post comments (sometimes I wonder if I really am an engineer!?!)
It sounds like you guys are enjoying the scenery and each others company.
Keep up the good work - pedaling hard, keeping a good attitude, and posting your progress.
Love you - Debra, John, Caitlyn and baby Ryan
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