We received some rain during the night camping in Yakima last night, along with thunder and lightning. It was not a storm and not that much rain, but the tents were pretty wet when we had to pack them away in the morning. It was sprinkling during breakfast and during the first hour of riding. It was the first time that the bikers had to put on their rainwear for riding.
We continued along the Yakima River today into the wide Yakima Valley. The area is very dry and only averages about 8 inches per year and we were part of the exception with the rain we experienced. This area is now farmable, thanks to diversion of the Yakima River into various canals for irrigation. The valley now grows grapes, apples, cherries, pears, and lots of hops. The hops grow on long strings from the ground to high rows of support legs and cabling.
Along the route today, the Faith Community Church in Zillah hosted a great break of snacks and wonderful fruit. We had a short ride today and I was at our Sunnyside Chr. High School camp for tonight, by a little after 11:00. There were a few people along the route today that had signs out and cheered us on. Everyone used the day to dry out their gear and clean the road grit off their bikes and themselves. It is amazing how dirty your legs get when riding on wet roads. I’m familiar with tan lines, but these are dirt lines. I cleaned my bike chain today and am ready for tomorrow.
Tonight, our cooks had the night off and the Sunnyside CRC put on a great Mexican feast, along with strawberry shortcake and ice cream for us at the local Christian grade school. Then afterwards, they invited us to their church for root beer floats and the 4th fireworks are right across the road.
Julie was able to phone home today and some of our kids and grandkids were keeping our pool clean! We miss everyone, especially on the holiday. We had a couple of the Canadians in our group go to Walmart and buy a whole bunch of tiny American flags and we all mounted them on our bikes and SAG vehicles today. Good for them, as they are very proud of their country and they just celebrated Canada Day a few days ago.
Today, as the day progressed, it cleared out and is now beautifully clear and the air is now cool and dry. Should be great sleeping in our tent tonight.
Tomorrow is not a huge day as we go to Kennewick which is about 50 miles on down the Yakima Valley….which we learned tonight is really part of the Sonora Dessert that starts in Mexico and stretches all the way up to Canada between various mountain ranges.
Oh, by the way, we had a total of 22 flat tires today, and I had one last night that was discovered just before going to bed. Rick Gritters helped me change it. Apparently, there is a local thorn called a goathead, that likes to flatten tires.
Love, P & J.
Friday, July 4, 2008
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