Photo: Our campground in Umatilla, OR.
Up at 6:30 a.m. again for the slow push of our bikes back up he gravel hill to Rte. 14. The strong head wind continued to hold our forward progress to 10 mph. We pedaled to West Roosevelt where we spoke to the proprietor of a mini-mart who expressed surprise because the winds usually blow here from the west to the east. We didn't know if he was just pulling our legs or not, because we had head winds here for 3 solid days! In another 30 miles, we stopped at Patterson where we enjoyed a delicious blue plate special.
During today's ride, we noticed hundreds of brand new wind powered electric generators slowly spinning from the wind coming from the east. It's amazing how huge these things are. It's amazing how hot, windy and desolate this area is. You'd think there be more people along the scenic Columbia, but the conditions make the desolation understandable.
As we approached Umatilla from the north of the Columbia, we were directed to a bicycle/pedestrian only ramp which ran beneath the I-84 bridge. This was much safer than attempting to cross with traffic.
I had spoken to Priscilla Walsh who planned to meet us there the next morning with my cousin Tom, his son Justin, his wife Tatia, and Tom’s sister Peggy. We camped at a marina/campground in Umatilla.
Today's ride was 64.8 mile for the day, averaging 10 MPH, for a total trip distance of 257.6 mile.
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