Aug.1
DAY 4
Left Cascade Locks via The Bridge of the Gods and entered The State of Washington. About 2 miles from the bridge is the town of Stevenson(services here) stopped for breakfast. Leaving Stevenson is about 3 miles of rolling hills and then down to the river valley and a beautiful ride along the Columbia River for around 18 miles. there are a couple campgrounds along this strech and a market in the town(?) of Home Valley. About a 1/2 mile from the Hood River Bridge is the Town of Bingen (services). Then on to the town of Lyle(services) . A little futher down the road I find that my destination for the day,Mary Hill is not a town but a historic site. as the sun is bright and The dog is turning RED I hang a right and head back across the river to Oregon at The Dalles.Back to Washington in the Morning
Aug.2
DAY 5
After coming back across to Oregon The Dog has to choose between a 4 mile climb back to Rolling Hills Wash. 14 or mostly flat I-84 to the next crossing.Being A house Dog the choice is a no brainer,I-84. Biggs ,Or. is 18 miles east of The Dalles at exit 104 across the river from Maryhill,Wa. on route 97 and is not listed as a town on my map guess cause it is more a truck type stop,but also has motels and diners,wish I had known this yesterday.What is with staples in Oregon? # miles west of Biggs B.O.B. got a flat, was making good time up till then.Pulled the tire and you guessed it a staple in the tire. Stopped At Biggs for a cold drink and to decide on todays route. Well cross the river and ride a hilly 33 miles to town of Roosevelt,Wa. of which I have no info,if nothing there another 33 mile to Crow Butte State Park or 33 miles of mostly flat to Arlington ,Wa. which a guy says he is pretty sure has services,WHAT"S A DOG TO DO? DUH! Arlington is a nice stop.
Aug.3
DAY 6
Today will be a fairly short Day, as I will stop at Umatilla,Or and head into Washington tomorrow. Leaving Arlington is uneventful short climb out of town and then flat and down, made very good time for me. Stopped about 12 miles out for a water break, it is threatening rain a few drops have fallen. Stop 6 more miles up the road at a rest stop and break to see what happens, rain wise. No rain so head on past the town of Boardman (services) and to the junction of US 730 and a quick 7 miles or so to the town of Irregon (services) and on to Umatilla (services). The landscape was ho hum today.
Aug 4
DAY 7
Sorry for the loss of continuety. Leaving Umatilla on US 730 there is a motel about 1 mile east and camping 9 and 11 miles east. The ride to the junction of US 12 in Washington is very flat to down hill most of the way.There is camping west of the US12 junction.Turning east away from the river you enter rolling farm land with only one fairly steep climb,but it is not too bad and has a 2 to3 mile downhill to the town of Touchet,which only offers a service station /food mart.Before the climb is a side road (Byrnes Road) that comes back to US 12 and appears to follow the railroad tracks.If traveling west this may save you a nasty climb.From Touchet to Walla Walla there is mostly nothing but farm houses and a flat to slightly upgrade. Today was a good ride day.
Aug 5
DAY 8
Route 12 is closed at Waitsburg and there is a detour at Walla Wallla, The Dog is told that cars are being let through. Do I feel like a Lucky Dog? Of course I do! The road close was a ploy to keep trucks out of town. FromWalla walla it is a steady grade to Dixie, which has a small country store,past large fields. There is a moderate 2 mill climb out of Dixie followed by 8 free miles of down to Waitsburg, which has all services. 3 miles east of town is the Lewis & Clark State Park, which offers camping and a picnic area with water and facilities. % more miles brings you to Dayton which also has all services. You than begin a 3 mile easy to moderate climbout of Dayton then ¾ mile down and ½ mile moderate climb to a screaming 3 miles of 6% down with a 5 to 6 miles flat and down to the junction of 261,from there it is around 23 miles of flat to easy grade to Pomeroy, all services and free camping at the park, you need to check in at city hall. The ride from Walla Walla to Pomeroy is past farm land and not much more. There is 35 miles of nothing between Dayton and Pomeroy.
Aug. 6
DAY 9
Today I said goodbye to Washington and entered Idaho. 30 miles to Lewiston, this is a short day to rest up for the MOUNTAINS that are sure to dog me for the coming days. The road out of Pomeroy starts with a slight down but after 4 miles you start up to Alpowa Summit, 5miles later you are at the top, last 2 ½ miles are moderately steep. The East side is 5 miles of steep hair raising down settling down for another 4 or so miles to the Snake River, that you follow into Clarkston/Lewiston(all services) There is camping 5 miles west at Cheif Timothy State Park.You can view some photos below or continue on to
IDAHO
