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The hills are alive... August 19, 2008Leave a comment  View More Images ...alive with the sound of music. And it's not Julie Andrews swirling in circles in the Alps! Seriously, there is music! The music of the wind whistling across each tassel of corn, along the edge of an embankment beside the road, or through the trees of an orchard. I am amazed at how the sound varies with the landscape. I heard a humming noise as I cranked up a hill between an embankment. The wind was blowing around 20 knots, quartering to my right rear. I was being pushed along ever since I left the Columbia River Basin and started out along Hwy 124 toward Clarkston. As the wind curled over the edge of the road, it made a distinctive low frequency hum. Music to pedal by... I left the motel before 7, meeting some folks from the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) Professional Chapter at a local breakfast joint. The Sterling! The waitress was way too vivacious for 7 am, but she was working the table like a well seasoned professional. Tips are life (I know, I have been a waiter!) I had a great time sharing the journey and learning a lot about the local community. Thanks to Annabelle and everyone for joining me this morning! One of the problems of pedaling in the city, it is harder than all get out to get out!! Everyone recommends taking the bike path, but bike paths are meant to be scenic, not functional. When you want to go some place, don't take the bike path! You will see a lot of nice things, but end up going in five different directions, none of which are the way you want to go. And the GPS? Forget it! Bike paths are not in it's memory! I intended to stop by REI and pick up some gear for the bike, but after having navigated along the river's bike path for longer than I thought reasonable, I opted to head for points east. I jumped off the path and found my way to Hwy 12, crossing the Snake River in the process. I found Hwy 124 as it ran through Burbank, WA. I was thinking I would call Dan Burbank (Astronaut classmate) and tell him there is a city with his name, waiting for a new mayor! As I turned along Hwy 124, the wind came directly at my back. How nice to have a good stiff breeze forcing me to the east. Occasionally, it would be more quartering and I could feel the bike respond to the broadside gusts. Having large packs hanging off the side of the bike makes for a great sail, or huge hindrance, depending on the direction of the wind. As I climbed out of the river valley, I was met by all sorts of crops. Vineyards, apple trees, potatoes, peaches, soy beans, corn and something I didn't expect, Poplar trees! Huge rows of Poplar trees. No fruit, just pulp. So I was told by Ken in the company of Charlie, the biker/agricultural man of answers (more on him later...). As I headed down the highway, I came across a sign that said, "road work next ten miles." Yuck! Chipped asphalt, no shoulder, no lines, lots of trucks! Well, this is harvest season and every truck in the state of Washington was using this highway! Every time one passed they would kick up a fair amount of rocks, shooting them in my general direction! I hugged the side of the road like a newborn grabbing for mom. The sign was truthful, for exactly at 10 miles, the road became asphalt and smooth as that baby's bottom! With lines and a shoulder too! Yea! One of the things I have taken for granted (and I ventured to guess most of the rest of the nation) is just how plentiful our nation's agricultural resources are (and I am only referencing WA here). I saw a tremendous variety of fruits and vegetables spread out as far as the eye could see. Huge orchards of apples and peaches. Massive grapevines stretching for miles. Orderly and extremely well taken care of. We see the results in our local store, but fail to realize just how fortunate we are that we live in a country that provides so much. And the many people that make it possible. I equate this in a way to how people view the space program. It has become so commonplace in the minds of the general public, they fail to realize just how remarkable it really is. A lot of the things we have in our daily life that we take for granted, are the result of the incredibly talented and hard work of thousands of people that make it possible. Unless you have a personal relationship with the reality, you don't grasp just how amazing it really is. It's nice to see the world from a different perspective. It makes you appreciate just how fortunate you really are! I descended out of the well tended orchards into a valley of golden wheat and undulating hills. I was told (once again by Charlie the biker/agricultural man of answers, that this portion of WA is the steepest cultivated area of the United States. Golden fields covered the hills. Driving a tractor along those hills must be a gravity defying exercise. Zero-g wheat harvesters, that's what they are. You can come across the strangest sights beside the road. Sometimes its an errant tool that jumped from the back of truck, or in this case, Superman jumped out of the suit and on to a truck. Nice suit! Superman was a little guy... Just about this time I cross the 500 mile mark on my trek. Had to take a picture! I followed the valley floor (someone knows how to build a highway for bicyclists) all the way to Prescott. I stopped at the first market I came to (I think there were only two in town) and was immediately met by Robert. A pony-tailed gent a little younger than me. Very personable and eager to talk about my ride. He followed me into the market and shadowed me as I picked out something to drink and eat. He said in a rather loud voice I could probably find a better selection at the Co-op. The woman working the counter told Robert it was not a good idea to encourage me to shop at the OTHER store! We chatted for a bit and Robert told me that there were incredible hamburgers right around the corner at the Tuxedo Bar and Grill. The Jasonburger! Gotta have one! We went back outside and he proceeded to tell me about a cycle accident he once had. In a coma for 17 days, head split open and re-constructive surgery. He survived and now works around town doing odd jobs. He then took his glasses off and showed me something that he says scares the kids. He smacked the side of his head and made one of his eyeballs move independent of the other. Yup, pretty scary! But what a nice guy! I rode the bike around the corner and met Pam and Jeff sitting out front of the Tuxedo. I said I heard they had an awesome burger for sale and they assured me that it was a correct statement. Pam was the cook (and owner) so I guess there was some level of confidence in her answer! I bellied up to the bar and waited for the magic to happen. I sat next to a couple of guys talking about the harvest and politely asked about the large stands of trees I saw along my ride. Ken informed me they were Poplars used probably for pulp. We chatted for a bit about the weather and the declining temperatures when he asked if I was the guy on TV riding the bike across the country. I guess they get KING 5 TV out in the lower SE corner of WA. We had a great conversation, talking about my space flight and me asking about the best way to Lewiston, ID. A bit later, a big biker guy, Charlie, sat down to my right and Ken introduced me! This guy was all knowledgeable about agriculture in WA. I learned that the average rainfall per year increased by one inch for every mile you traveled to the east. Five to six inches to the west and up to 26 toward the east. We discussed the eruption of Mount Saint Helens and how it deposited huge amounts of potash near the Toppenish and Yakima areas. He said they plowed the potash under by the tons and for years the potatoes were the size of dinner plates! What a fun conversation! I had traveled 54 miles by 1:00 pm, but spent about an hour and a half in Prescott soaking in the company! I asked Pam and Debra to pose for a picture and I agreed that the Jasonburger lived up to it's billing! After too short of period of time in the Tuxedo, I hopped back on the bike and headed off to Dayton. Flat, wind at my back, pleasure riding! How about a coffee at Starbuck? No, not Starbucks, Starbuck! Just inside of Waitsburg, the thought of an ice cold beer came to mind! The sign was promising, but it was Tuesday! Darn! Unexpectedly, I came across a sign that I was entering Columbia County. I had to stop and take a picture and for the next few miles I contemplated the tragedy of the Space Shuttle Columbia and the loss of my friends and colleagues. Mike Anderson considered the Spokane area his home and I was just south of that part of the state. Having a lot of time on a bike you spent a great deal of time contemplating a lot of things. As I thought about the Columbia, the mission right after mine, and how much we are willing to risk in order to fly in space. The general public may not realize just how dangerous it really is and that the odds are not in your favor when you climb aboard (I was told a 1:400 chance of not coming home), but everyone in astronaut office is fully aware of the possibility. And yet, they are willing to look beyond the odds and take the chance because they know that it is worth the risk. What is ironic is that I was traveling along the Lewis and Clark trail! Here were two people, that along with others, they understood the risk, but took the responsibility to go forth into the unknown. Today, we celebrate and memorialize the efforts of the Corps of Discovery. One day, I hope that future generations will recognize the sacrifices of people like Rick, Willie, KC, Laurel, Dave, Mike and Ilan who accepted the risk to make this world a better place! I pulled into downtown Dayton a little past 5:00 pm, not because I was tired, but because there were no places to stay for the next 40 miles. Nice, comfortable downtown. A brew pub, cold stout and a small plate of nachos and I settled in for the evening! The pleasure of this ride is measured in the people I meet! The warmth and hospitality of the folks along my journey is testament to what is good about this country. Hard working people making an honest living and caring about others. Sometimes I get too caught up in the here and now. Worried about the plethora of problems surrounding my personal world and I fail to recognize the warmth that surrounds me. Putting yourself in an unfamiliar place where you are at the mercy of those that make it their home, I have come to realize that your problems are what you make of them and small in comparison the quality of the world around you. Stop and smell the roses, or eat a Jasonburger in the company of nice people! Today's stats: Total distance: 68.90 mi (GPS) 74.6 mi (Trek) Total time: 6:14:54.27 Avg pace: 5.26 /mi Avg speed: 11.0 mph (GPS) 11.4 (Trek) Max speed: 26.4 mph (GPS) 26.9 (Trek) Total calories burned: 3590 (covered by the Jasonburger) Avg heart rate: 109 bpm Max heart rate: 1421 bpm Total ascent: 2676 feet Total descent: 1477 feet Total mileage to date: 530 mi More Images:                  10 Comments
Aug 21, 2008 2:53 pm - Dwight McCain wrote : Godspeed, John I've been accross the USA by bike twice and west to east gives you a wind advantage. I've enjoyed reading your blog and comments. Brings back a lot of memories. Re: Hot weather riding. I found it cooler to ditch the knits and ride with a button up cotton shirt that would flap above my back. It kept the sun off my back and allowed for evaporative cooling. You're route is about 100 miles south of my fair city, but I know the roads well. You will enjoy Lolo Pass going into Montana. Dwight { -:}
Aug 20, 2008 9:52 pm - Jerry Griggs wrote : Glad to learn John is into bicycling. He was at our facility a few years ago checking out in a Learjet as command pilot. I learned then that he is a great guy. But I didn't know until now he was into bicycling. Good luck on your journey John!
Aug 20, 2008 7:44 pm - Bob wrote : John, Enjoying your blog. I biked solo with camping gear from SDGO to Florence, Oregon to Yorktown, VA in 1996 after retiring from USN after 31 years 5400 miles in 63 days . Great memories. Suggestion: consider losing your heavy kickstand; there is hardly never a fence post, a building, or something similar that can hold up your bike. Good luck.
Aug 20, 2008 4:19 pm - Steven Sobotta wrote : Many of us look forward to seeing you here on the Nez Perce Reservation. I know I have followed some of your journey's to space. My 7 year old daughter is excited that a real astronaut is going to be here, and an Indian too!! She makes me smile when she does that. I hope many of the youth get it in their minds to look toward the stars.
Aug 20, 2008 1:36 pm - Brian in Ada wrote : Your travel blog has rekindled some fantastic memories of the vacations with my parents. Driving across the USA, camping, learning, playing, realizing, and appreciating. We've met folks similar to Robert in Prescott, WA, and many more like the new members of your "Rocketrek Family." You're not wearing an astronaut jumpsuit...that drew a lot of attention in Oklahoma a few years ago. Lots of people wear bike riding hear like yours. The difference is you smile, say hello, and the door of communication is open! You could be doing this and only affecting and benefiting from the people you meet, but by writing to us each night, your weaving a thread which will help repair the fabric of this nation. See you in Chickasaw country.
Aug 20, 2008 12:45 pm - Bill Ingalls wrote : John - I too am really enjoying your blog, photographs and Google Earth updates! This is a win win for all. Kids must love hearing about your space and bike adventures and you must be having a blast doing it. May the wind be at your back. I'll be touring with you from my arm chair. Cheers - Bill Ingalls
Aug 20, 2008 9:54 am - Bryan McKay wrote : John: Good luck with your ride! I will be passing along all your information to schools up here when they start in a few weeks. A foundation called IGNITE helps promote math, science and space in our schools and community and we want everyone to know about trek. I wish you were heading up north to MA. You are invited up any time you want!
Aug 20, 2008 7:38 am - Tonya wrote : Hi John, Really enjoying your blogs--I am sharing with my students. Am very envious of your new experiences and meeting new people. I totally agree with your comments about enjoying the close up experience not found while in a car. The same can be said about riding horseback. The best thing about travelling on horseback is that the horse is doing the work! haha I appreciate your comments on reflecting on friends lost on the Challenger. Dave Brown was a judge at the Lone Star FIRST Robotics competition our first year in 2000. He gave us our very first FIRST award! I remember how much he enjoyed listening to the kids involved with building our robot and asking them insightful questions to get the kids thinking about why they chose certain materials, design concepts, etc. He was a very nice guy. A friend of mine recently travelled to San Francesco to watch her brother run a marathon. Afterwards, he shared that the last few miles were almost unbearable, so he started dedicating each mile to someone in his life. For each mile he reflected and thought about 1 person, and he finished the marathon. It seems like you are experiencing the same type of reflection. It does a soul good to reflect on others. We are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers--stay healthty & safe---see you when you get to Oklahoma.
Aug 19, 2008 10:09 pm - Jim Rodriguez wrote : John - First of all it was an honor for my wife Annabelle and I and our AISES Columbia River Professional Chapter to meet you this morning at breakfast and talk to your experiences on your trek. I've been reading your blog and viewed the video clip from KING 5-TV in Seattle and began contemplating the significance of your journey and how you are making a difference in a young persons life. It's this kind of human spirit that enhances and piques the interests of our youth, hence dreams are created. I know of a young Native American man who told his uncle that he wanted to be just like you and I hope that achieves his dream and becomes the best that he can be. As we say in our Laguna language Hus-Zah-Meh which means to be strong and good luck. Add a comment: |
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I like your journey man, specially your bicycle, I love cycling. and the superman shirt. After I am done with my a href "http://www.mcsatrainingclasses.com" mcsa training /a i am on the road for the long cycling trip.