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I left my mom's house this morning around 9am (last meal: Mom's apple pie YUM!). Everything was packed onto the bike, strapped down, and sparkled-up! I set out nervous/excited. It's crazy to finally be confronted with something I've been planning for and thinking about for so long!
In true Washington form, it began to rain about 5 miles into the journey and continued for about 200 miles. I drove South on I-5 to Vancouver, WA and followed the Columbia River on Highway 14, which I would recommend to anyone traveling by two wheels! The two-lane road twisted and turned along the river. The rain turned into drizzle and the clouds broke for stunning rays of sunshine.
The change of temperature resulted in high winds for the afternoon. Luckily, the winds move along the Columbia from West to East, so I got great gas mileage (about 50mpg) and I only had a few bad cross winds. I did meet a nice guy and a cute pup named Badger (in photo) somewhere near the Pacific Crest trail.
I got into town around 4 and got a room at a Motel 6 on "Hotel Hill" in Pendleton. Derek didn't get into town until about 8....I'll let him tell you about that! I will tell you that he showed up with a grizzly-man beard!
On to Idaho!