Very tough day biking. We climbed 4000 ft up Steven's Pass with up to a 7% grade, especially the last five miles being the steepest. The entire Sea to Sea Support staff was on top when I got there. A welcome sight indeed. As difficult as the day was, it will be a good way to get us in great shape. "What doesn't kill me will make me stronger!"
A welcome sight along the way
Snow melt has all the steams rushing down the mountain sides
Even the Washington State DOT recognizes the Sea to Sea tour
Wednesday July 2: 93 km. 101F sunny. Leavenworth Washington to Ellensburg WashingtonAnother 4,000 ft climb over Blewett Pass. It started out at about 70 F at seven AM when we started out and heated up to 103 F by the time we got to Ellensburg. Get into the tough stuff right off the bat! At about 3 AM we got some "rain" at the school where we were camped out. Someone forgot to turn out the sprinklers. What a soggy mess! At least I now know my tent is waterproof.
Sea to Sea support vehicles and cyclists at a pit stop along the way.
A taste of thing to come. By the time we reach Colorado we will be at 12,000 ft.
Thursday July 3: 68 km. 96 F sunny. Ellensburg Washington to Yakima Washington. The geography has changed dramatically from lush green mountain forests to desert like conditions, where the only green is along the rivers. It was a pleasant downhill ride all morning. We stayed at the Riverside Christian School in Yakima, where the local CRC church provided us with rides to the local bike shop, Wal Mart, or where ever else we needed to go. Mountains of baked goods awaited us at camp supplied by these same friendly folks.
Sea to Sea bikers along the Yakima River.
Clare Kooistra in his very unique three wheel recumbent (Clare is Jackie Vandeputte's brother)
Friday July 4: 66 km. 75 F light rain. Yakima Washington to Sunnyside Washington
Another easy day. Our first rainy day of the trip. We started out in the rain at 7;30 AM for about half an hour, then light drizzle the rest of the day. Travelling along the Yakima River among cherry, apple and pear orchards. And for all you beer lovers, field, after field of hops. All this lush farmland is only a few miles wide and then desert beyond, brown and barren hills. Apparently only one third of Washington is lush green rain forests and mountains, the rest part of the Sonoran Desert, which stretches from Mexico to Southern British Columbia. The Faith Community Church supplied us with drinks and goodies along the way in the town of Zillah WA. The CRC church in Sunnyside WA provided us with a plentiful and delicious dinner. Then snacks at the church where we watched the fourth of July fireworks. All the the cyclists flew American flags that day, supplied by a couple of Canadians on the tour none the less! We are just absolutely blown away by the support and encouragement we are receiving along the way.
The Faith Community Church in Zillah WA provided refreshments along the way.
Myself and a few other cyclists climbing a grade along the Yakima River.
Saturday July 5: 79km. 85F sunny. Sunnyside Washington to Kennewick Washington.
An easy day along the Yakima and Columbia Rivers to Kennewick WA, where the local CRC community provided rides to Wal Mart, bike shops, laundamats and wherever else we needed to go.
A new understanding of the term "river of life", where without the rivers, this part of the country would be nothing but desert.
Camping in a beautiful park along the banks of the Columbia River.
Welcome to my humble abode (for the next eight weeks!) 
Sunday July 6:
The CRC church in Kennewick joined us for a celebration service and fed us lunch. Very much appreciated!
A group of recent immigrants from Myanmar and members of the Local CRC, performed a few songs for us.
3 comments:
Dirk,
Love your blog and the pictures; I'm VERY jealous to not be doing the whole thing! (doing East section). Congrats for getting through a couple of rough days this week...keep the great pictures/stories coming for those of us still "grounded." :)
Sandy Westra
Thanks for the updates and the photos with your descriptions, Dirk. What a great way to follow your adventure! It sounds like you are taking the time to relish the experience.... we're enjoying your blog.
You, along with the Sea to Sea organization will remain in our prayers.
Herb and Minnie
This is so awesome! It's great to be able to see what you're up to. We love the pictures and the "stories". We're very proud of you!
the de Jonge's
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