Day 8. June 10, 2023
After a wonderful rest day in Kennewick, we are ready to get back to it!
Kennewick, WA to Lewis and Clark State Park, WA
62.13 miles. 1,892 total ascent
‘Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.’
You don’t know what you don’t know until you know.
Today, we travel long spans stretching miles and miles with fields as far as the eye could see.
We came across beautiful waving crops. “Drew, what is this?”. He looked at me inquisitively, and replied “Honey, that’s wheat.”. I realized I’d never seen wheat fields before. Boy, did I feel naïve! Having been born and raised in southern California, it’s not something you see there.
We started our day leaving historic Kennewick weaving our way through neighborhoods. Several times we saw quail skirting across the streets. Along the way, we discovered Clover Island and we explored a bit. We hopped on the Sacajawea trail and rode along the Snake river where several Canadian geese were swimming. Next, we crossed over the Ed Handler bridge.
Saturday brings out lots more cyclists, most who say hello and others focused and on a mission.
Our first stop was at a gas station for a snack and short break. Hot dogs were roasting on a roller grid and smelled so good!
Back on the road, we passed several orchards, vineyards and open fields. And then, a house where the lawn had just been mowed. I was suddenly launched back in time:. It’s Saturday, Dad just mowed the lawn where I would gather the grass into piles, staining my hands and feet. We went indoors for lunch. Mom would cook hot dogs, cut them, placing them on Wonder bread and add ketchup. This was lunch each Saturday. Oh, how simple life was as a child.
Once again, there are so many things you experience from the seat of a bicycle. The smell of a dead raccoon was was quickly replaced by a line of cedar trees. Red winged blackbirds flew up through the fields that lined the river. The temperature dropped by 10 degrees as we meander along its banks, listening to it cascade over rocks.
It is so fascinating the massive irrigation systems in place to water the fields. The pipes are huge and the power supplying them is impressive!
Riding at a touring pace is so rewarding. Frequent stops for photos, the discovery of new sites, the feeling of being alive!
At around mile 55, we arrived in Waitsburg where we found American 35. Rachael brought us the most amazing Neapolitian pizza. We had so much fun learning about the area and how Judy and her husband established the restaurant in the former VFW#35 building. Sus,the general manager, shared even more of their history.
Next, a quick stop at Waitsburg Grocery for a couple cups of ice as camp was just a few more miles down the road. I developed as new system today. As we left the hotel in Kennewick, I could not leave behind my beautiful Honey crisp apple but didn’t want it to get bruised in the pack. Out came my Big Wheels Coaching bag that I keep with me whenever I travel by bike. With a  carabiner to hold the strings securely across the front, the cups of ice and a cool drink made it safely to camp. Oh so refreshing to finish the day and have a cold beverage under the trees at the picnic table.
At camp, we soon met Lindsey and Payton who told us a lot about the area.
Much of the area was covered with Cottonwood ‘fluff’.
A few robins came to visit, hopping around camp.
Skyler, the camp aide came by to say hello. What a nice guy.
Yet, another Next best day ever!