Takeover alert! Valerie is feeling lazy tonight, so she has recruited a special celebrity guest to do today’s journal.

Today was a 67 mile day we started in Yakima, one of the largest cities the team has seen in quite some time. Teams took advantage by stopping for a hearty breakfast in the first several miles.

The ride began in our last desert stretch of the trip through central Washington. Although trudging through high winds, morale was also high as we hopped back onto our old frenemie Highway 12.

As the day continued, groups began to attempt to amuse themselves among the rock forms of the Wanatchee National Forest. For one group, this meant a change in fashion.

As we got into the middle stretch of the day, we began climbing out of the desert valley and into the mountain passes. We watched as the scenery changed into beautiful sprawling pine forests and cliffsides. Many groups took the opportunity to stop and enjoy our first taste of Pacific Northwest scenery.

After reaching White Pass and enjoying a brief final rest stop, the team enjoyed a fast downhill as we approached our campground. Rounding one of the final bends, we got our first view of the majestic Mt. Rainier in the distance that made all of the climbing worth it.

Once we reached the La Wis Wis campsite right outside the National park, the team pitched their tents for the second-to-last time and enjoyed brats donated by I4k alumni. After a few hours enjoying the fireside, the team got to bed relatively early for the eve of a rest day to prepare for a day of hiking at Mt. Rainer in the morning. More of that day to be posted next!

This concludes a very special celebrity journal takeover. Now time to get Valerie off her phone and onto this laptop to do her chore duties.

-Cal