Miles: 49.38
Total Elevation Gain (ft): 1457
Weather: Sunny, Warm
Hillbilly Insults: 0
Roadkill: 2 (Skunk, Fox)
Bugs Swallowed: 0

"Prevailing winds" can kiss my chafed bum!

I used to think that all rivers ran North to South because im an idiot. They go "down," right? When I found I was mistaken, I was dumbfounded. Of course, now I know better. The Columbia runs East to West.

Similarly dumb, I believed that the prevailing winds out of the Great White North swoop down over America in a Southeasterly fashion. See the pic above. My theory for going West to East was that the winds would carry me like a dainty leaf to the Great Lakes. I had a reality check today.

After a climb and dreamy descent down to The Dalles, the mercury rose and I was hit by a windy blast furnace coming off the river through the Indian reservations on my way to Biggs Junction, OR. It slowed me down considerably. so did my gawking at all the salmon I could have scooped up by hand along random spillover ponds along I-84.
I took a look at the map and didn't feel like climbing Hwy 14 up the mountain this evening, so I stopped to camp, shower and hand wash some seriously foul bike clothing. There ere limited services for the next 84 miles in the high desert. I'm hoping to make it that far, but I've got to be realistic upon my heaviest jealous mistress, the fully loaded, Reubenesque Salsa Fargo. I'll stealth camp somewhere if I must.

It's quite extraordinary to see the massive forests abruptly turn barren as soon as the river bends into the Dalles. Verdant to arid, lickety-split.
6/4/2013 04:54:05 pm

It might be windy, but damn it's beautiful. Makes me homesick, and you aren't even in the part that I miss the most!

Reply
Hatch
6/4/2013 04:54:27 pm

Yo Leahey,

It's great to see that you are in the state of Washington; is there any chance you will be anywhere nearby? I hope so as it would be great to catch you on this tour.

At any rate, keep the posts and pics coming and know that I am Praying for your safety and watching you will your way across the nation.

Nothing is Impossible!
Hatch

Reply
Jonathan Leahey
6/4/2013 05:14:45 pm

Hatch,

I'm on the Southern border headed East to Idaho. The plan is to go North once I reach Missoula, MT.

I won't be getting back to Seattle for a bit. I plan to attend wedding activities for one of my absolute best friends in a couple of months!

Reply
Pimp
6/6/2013 06:59:49 am

Jon,
I think the wind was approaching you from behind, smelled your ass and decided that it should approach from a different direction.

Reply
Jonathan Leahey
6/6/2013 07:44:09 am

Da Pimp. You slay me!

Reply



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