July 10, 2003 We are now in Dayton, WA after a nice ride from Lewiston, ID. We left early to beat the heat and the wind, and seem to have been successful. It was hot out there (96 degrees on the road), but not nearly as hot as it is right now -- over 100 degrees. Our hotel last night is located at the highest point in Lewiston. So, when we left at 6:30 this morning, we had a nice coast down to Highway 12 for the trip out of town. We first crossed the Snake River (the continuation of the Clearwater River from yesterday), passed through Clarkston, WA and soon started climbing. The first climb was very long - 12 miles - and the last five miles gained 1200 feet. The air was very still during the climb, so it got very warm. The second climb was neither as high nor steep, but was still a challenge. The air was moving a bit more, so we didn't get quite as hot. However, the first climb took something out of us, so we were really working at the summit. In total, we climbed about 3850 feet in a bit over 70 miles. Today we were still in an environment of the river canyon, but it was really different. First of all, the Snake River is wider and deeper than the Clearwater, and gives the appearance of being lazy. At the point we were with it, it was apparently building up behind a dam, so that explains some of its behavior. There are fewer rapids, and the excitement of the water schussing down the canyon was missing. However, it is most beautiful. The canyon is much wider than before, and very dry. The hills reminded us of home. They are high, but soft and smooth - also, they are very brown. So, we have gone from the conifer forests and lush greens of the highlands to the almost desert-like conditions surrounding the Snake. After about 20 miles, the Snake River took a right hand turn, and we won't see it again. The next river we see will be the Columbia. We saw a Coyote today crossing the road before we left the Snake. He was slinking across the road, so we, at first, thought he was a fox. We saw a lot of birds, but little other wild life. This is wheat and orchard country, so we didn't see much in the way of cattle either. There were a few horses. Other than the heat, the weather today was wonderful. When we left Lewiston, be really didn't need anything but jerseys and shorts, but we indulged ourselves with arm warmers. The arm warmers came off before we started the first climb. The sky was party cloudy, and as blue as could be. It is just like the skies we have been seeing for days -- except for the day that it poured on us. We continue to be amazed at the weather we are experiencing. It could be far worse. We will have heat for two more days, and then as we approach Portland, we should have a fairly cool ride to the coast. Today was our second day to get stopped by road construction. We were stopped for about 20 minutes yesterday, and about 5 minutes today. The payback (We usually wait for the traffic to get by before we start unless there is a good shoulder.) is having the road to yourself after the stop. Both days we had many miles with no one on our side of the road. That was very nice. The bike had a good day, and the Team stays reasonably strong. Every stop we make gets us more excited about getting to Astoria and achieving our goal. Someone asked yesterday if we would do this ride again, and we said, "In a heartbeat!". Of course, under our breaths we said that we would want to wait a few months! It has been wonderful, but it is also taxing and stressful. However, we are enjoying ourselves, and just can't believe what we are seeing. As another nearly perfect day draws to a close, we look forward to our trip to Umatilla, Or tomorrow. We will get another early start, and hope to be there shortly after noon. Ron Note from LaValle... leaving the rivers after so many days of following them has been a shock to my senses. The water is both soothing and energizing at the same time. I'm looking forward to the Columbia although not all of the roads stay as close to the rivers as we've been since Powell Station several days ago. Right now we have 5 days and less than 400 miles to go. Little things let us know that we're getting closer to home. The hills are brown instead of green. We can ask for sparkling water at restaurants and not have the server look at us like we're from another planet. And more bathrooms than not have paper seat covers.