Day 11

Roosevelt, WA to Umatilla, OR
Distance 52.2 miles -- Cumulative 558.2
Time 4:18:26 -- Cumulative 46:33:38
Elevation Gain 1138 -- Cumulative 18,590

No scenery pictures today because if you saw yesterday's, you saw today's. Only it got flatter. But before we get to today's ride, let's talk about last night.

When I rode (I just realized that I have written "road" instead of "rode" several times and none of you have called me on it) in to Roosevelt Park yesterday I noticed a large RV parked off to the side of the entrance that looked semi-permanent. I thought that was strange, but whatever. About 6:00pm a guy comes out of the RV and starts picking up trash in the park. He walks over to the gazebo/picnic area where I have set up and I notice he is wearing a Corps of Engineers cap. I realize he is an onsite caretaker, hence the semi-permanent RV.

We chat briefly and then he says "You'll want to go over and grab three or so of those white half-pipes laid out on the table. You need to set them to block these sprinkler heads like this one here by your tent."  I look over and see a pile of PVC pipes cut in half with spikes affixed to them (pic below), and I note the sprinkler head. He added that the sprinklers would come on around midnight, but if I use the pipes I wouldn't get wet. I follow his instructions and set up four of the sprinkler head guards.

This seemed unusual, but I figured since it seemed to be a regular thing, it was no big deal. I went to bed early and woke up a couple of times thinking I heard the sprinklers start. Then at 11:35, I heard the sprinkler next to my tent activate. Imagine if you took the sprayer in your kitchen sink, pumped up the pressure to that of a fire hose, and then sprayed it straight down into the sink right next to your bed. I came out of my tent pretty quickly.

What I had imagined as a sprinkler similar to mine at home actually shot a one to two inch stream of water thirty yards or so. The one next to my tent was effectively blocked but was sending a shower spraying all around. My tent was getting wet but no more than a rain storm so I crawled back inside. I wasn't worried about the water but I clearly wasn't going back to sleep with the racket. I figured, how long do you water?  At my house usually 30 minutes. In 30 minutes, that sprinkler went off, and two more nearby started. Finally, at 2:30, all the sprinklers went off. I have had more restful nights

Today's ride was uneventful. Over the last third I noticed that I was moving into agricultural territory as I started seeing onions, then carrots, potatoes, and finally corn on the shoulder of the highway. I thought about making a vegetable soup. I could have cooked it on the road since it topped out over a 100 today. I also saw grape vines which lifted my spirits considerably.

We have all seen roadside memorials, and I suspect we almost always just pass them by. Something about this one made me stop.

It was 15 miles to the nearest town in one direction and 25 in the other. It seemed so lonely.

For the last few days I have been watching the forest fires in Idaho and Montana. I have decided my route is effectively blocked so I am turning southeast. I actually think it will be an easier ride but I am going to miss North Dakota, one of the three states I have never visited. Oh well, that means I have an excuse for a road trip.

Tomorrow I am heading to the Wildhorse Casino and Resort. I am going to take a rest day there and will give you more details on the new route then.