Day 54:Waitsburg, WA -> Umatilla, OR~75 milesThe team woke up this morning at Waitsburg High School, with most of us having slept in the gym. After packing the van and eating breakfast, Steve utilized our former sleeping space for the most noble of pursuits: dodgeball!
The ride started with a Surprise Climb through rolling Washington wheat fields. Some of the team made a quick detour to the Walla Walla farmer's market for the best pastries/fruit/smoothies/Bob Dylan Cover Band we'd had in quite a while.
After Walla Walla, we followed US-12 west through moderate headwinds. We then hopped onto US-730, which runs parallel to the Columbia River. Great views all along US-730, with towering rock formations on the left and the watery expanse on the right. After pictures at the Welcome To Oregon sign and hot liquid PBJ for lunch, some of us took a moment to throw rocks or wade or swim in the river. Good to have a large body of water so close at hand on a hot day like today.
We arrived at McNary Heights Elementary School in Umatilla and had great hot-water hose showers and internet access--both of which we're savoring, as tomorrow we'll be camping and likely without either. After our burrito dinner, we're getting in our sleeping bags early--we'll need all the rest we can get for our hundred-miler tomorrow.