Day 1

6/15

[Cathy Eckel, one of our colleagues at N.S.F., received a call from Rick today. He was riding up into the mountains in cold, wind and sleet, but in good spirits and happy to be on the road after months of preparation.]

Day 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Day 2

Hey guys, sorry for the late report -- technical difficulties at this end.
--RKW

[We've learned that Rick did indeed e-mail us some digital photos as e-mail "attachments," but for some reason they're not coming through.]

Day 3, from Yakima to Kennewick, was quite the grind. The scenery was just like what I was used to in South Dakota. It was warm, but not too hot. However, it was very windy - particularly for the last 40 miles. There is absolutely nothing between the two cities - at least along our route. Plenty of nothing for miles in every direction. Even so, it was quite pretty in a quiet, peaceful sort of way."

Day 3

We came into Seattle on Monday 6/15. We were about 70 miles east on I-90 and started seeing bicycles heading west. It was , of course, the Am. Lung Assoc. event. The weather was about as bad as could be. Cold, very windy, and raining like crazy. And, and, up a hill that would never end. If you hear from Rick his first day should be memorable to say the least...It could only get better from there...

6/19

Today started out as an overcast, cool day. The scenery coming out of Kennewick was a little bleak. This is in the heart of the Washington "Desert." The wind was howling at one point and in our faces. This made for some slow riding. At a desolate point we turned and found the wind with us. When we re-entered the Columbia River Valley, everything became green and lush. As a wonderful treat for me, I stumbled onto two wineries: "L'Ecole 41" and "Woodward Canyon." They are two of my favorites and I stumbled out of their tasting rooms. We passed through a number of small towns that were like movie sets from Andy of Mayberry. Dayton even put on an old car/hot rod show for us.

Day 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Day 6

Day 6

Today's ride was wonderful. The weather was warm, sunny and a delight. The scenery was fascinating across the entire route. At the start we passed through fields of barley, oats and mustard. The barley was a blue-green color, while the oats was light green. These two colors stretched everywhere with swabs of yellow defined by mustard fields. Later in the day we climbed out of an irrigated valley and into the high desert. It was very dry, with lots of sage bruch and nothing much in between. Finally, by early afternoon, I made it to Idaho. We're camping just inside the border. The next several days start to take us through the mountains. Enough of the flats!

That's all for now. I'm limited on time and will try to send pictures a bit later. Let's see if Day 1 through 3's pictures will be uploaded. They told me we aren't supposed to do anything but text. Bummer.

Day 7

6/21

Today was a wonderful ride. We followed the Clearwater River all the way. This is the same route that Lewis and Clarke took when entering the Snake and then Columbia Rivers. From Lewiston heading east the mountains were bare and brown. After about 10 miles up the river we began to see scattered pine trees. By the time we had made 50 miles there were pine trees throughout and wonderful flowers growing beside the road. There wasn't much in the way of services along the way. It was mainly just riding. However, the weather continues to cooperate. It is delightful out here - warm, but not too hot. I may have to go soak my toes in the river - it's right next to our campsite.

later .... rkw

Postcards!Postcards!Postcards!

To Barry, postmarked 6/16, Yakima WA.

Barry--

This is actually a picture of me at the last rest stop. It was raining/sleeting and I was very cold. I may as well be in Alaska. I made it through Day 1--only 44 to go.

Rick

Postcards!Postcards!Postcards!

To Cathy & Doug, postmarked 6/16, Yakima WA.

Dear Gang--

Day 2. We've made it to Ellensburg. I didn't have time to see the Garden--maybe on the next trip. Of course, there isn't much else in this town.

Rick

So far....