Category Archives: Uncategorized

Pomeroy, Washington to Lewiston, Idaho. Sunday, May 26, 2024. This script almost wrote itself. I should’ve known better. If I wax poetic about my dream bike, if I gush with pride, something is sure to happen. The seat had been squeaking more than usual, so I got down below it to apply some lube. IContinue reading “Pride goeth before a fall”

[Heads up campers, this post is going to get deep in the weeds about my bicycle. Normal people, as opposed to bicycle geeks, should feel free to skip this one.] “The bicycle is the most efficient machine ever created. Converting calories into gas, a bicycle gets the equivalent of three thousand miles per gallon.” —Continue reading “The machine”

Dayton to Pomeroy, Washington Saturday, May 25, 2024. OK, this fleabag wasn’t that creepy, and there were only 11 vacancies. But it was in the ballpark. The office was behind the windowed door, and my room was the one just to the left. I didn’t see any peepholes. The proprietor was an older woman, notContinue reading “12 rooms, 12 vacancies”

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,Continue reading “The Palouse”

Umatilla, Oregon to Walla Walla, Washington Thursday, May 23, 2025. The day off turned out to be a godsend. A storm was raging outside, I got lots of loose ends taken care of, and had great talks with family and friends. Today’s ride took me through Wallula Gap, an upstream version of the Columbia RiverContinue reading “Tragedy at Waiilatpu”

Umatilla, Oregon. Wednesday, May 22, 2024 I was all set: laundry done, route planned, Warmshowers host arranged in the next town, Walla Walla; even got a reasonable amount of sleep. My knees seem to be a little better. Got up early, ready to bolt, but then I checked the morning forecast. On the one hand,Continue reading “I feel like such a weenie”

Roosevelt, Washington to Umatilla, Oregon Tuesday, May 21, 2024 Today was the end of the century, the century I thought I could do yesterday, until reality told me otherwise. I was comfortable enough in that new tent, but there were trains going by all night on both sides of the river, mitigated somewhat by theContinue reading “Fin de siècle”

The Dalles, Oregon to Roosevelt, Washington. Monday, May 20, 2024 Figuring I might have to do a century today, I tried to get an early start, but early starts are not my strong suit. As always, crossing the Columbia was both scenic and harrowing, made more so by a strong crosswind. I passed right inContinue reading “Henges”

Hood River to The Dalles, Oregon. Sunday, May 19, 2024 I’ve always wondered about this town, with the odd name. It’s unusual to have the article “the” in a town name, I can only think of The Hague and The Bronx. Countries like the Ukraine and the Bahamas have dropped the article, once they becameContinue reading “Valley of the Dalles”

Cascade Locks to Hood River Oregon Saturday, May 18, 2024 You’d think after all my touring, I’d be an old pro at booking accommodations. Today’s experience showed how much I still have to learn. Last night’s stay was in an unprepossessing place with reasonable rates. I was taken aback by the outside decor, they saidContinue reading “Bobbled booking”