Walla Walla to Dayton, Washington. Friday, May 24, 2024
Low-key day today. Accommodation spacing, mountainous terrain, and Memorial Day weekend crowds have dictated that I take a trio of 30-mile days. Knowing this, I tarried with the Brannans, we had lots of fun sharing experiences, talking about our kids, careers, the airline industry, bike rides, contracting, and the whole Warmshowers experience. We shared jokes and videos, and could’ve talked for hours more. As it was, I didn’t leave till noon and got this farewell photo, unfortunately slightly blurry.
I toured downtown Walla Walla and Whitman College, both very attractive, but not particularly photogenic. What struck me most was the Palouse.
Stepbrother in-law Thom had told me of this place, a land of rolling hills covered in wheat, vivid green this time of year. They were made of loess, a predominantly silt-sized sediment that is formed by the accumulation of wind-blown dust (basically fertile sand dunes) like the Loess Hills on the border of Iowa and South Dakota I encountered on 7/15/21. Centered about 100 miles north of here, it extended as far down as Walla Walla. Some of you may remember it as the Windows XP wallpaper, called Bliss.
Not remarkable or spectacular, but extremely soothing to look at. On the Middle Waitsburg Road, I found myself surrounded by these hills, and despite the challenging ups and downs, felt eerily at peace.
Dayton, Ohio, home of the Wright brothers. Dayton, Tennessee, site of the 1927 Scopes monkey trial. Dayton, Washington, a tiny town in the Palouse.
Distance 32 miles, 956 total. Time 6 hours with stops. Elevation gain 1,650 feet
©️ 2024 Scott Luria
The Ends of the Earth 