Day 5: Dayton, Wash. to Lewiston, Idaho

We continued through the hills East of Dayton today, following highway 12 for the whole day. Weather has been especially favorable so far on the trip, with mornings rarely rising into the 80s and some good cloud cover but practically no rain. Winds were strong out of the South this morning and we were being pushed up the hills. On at least one steep descent, a gust of wind came off the side of the hills and tried to blow us over. After that, we both gripped tighter to control our bikes. The bags definitely catch the wind, which can be great with a tail wind, miserable with a head wind, or potentially dangerous with gusts from the side.

Nothing too remarkable about the scenery today, and more scarce services. We stopped for lunch in Pomeroy, Wash. After lunch, we climbed up to a pass and had a steep descent that leveled out and carried us all the way to the state border. Crossed the Snake River again into Lewiston, where we are staying tonight.

Last night’s hotel came at the recommendation of Niamh who stayed there for work. It did not disappoint, and we had an excellent breakfast before we took off this morning. Niamh has been a great source of tips in all the small towns along the way, but alas, as we leave Washington, we may have to start relying on other sources for suggestions. There was a Costco in Clarkston and if we’d stopped there for lunch, it would have been a truly O’Rourke business friendly day.

Tomorrow we’ll continue east to Kamiah before crossing Lolo Pass this weekend into Missoula.

By the numbers:
Miles traveled: 71
Total Climbed today: 2800 ft
Max Speed: 42.4 mph (Ed) / 38.2 mph (Colin)
Lewis and Clark Historical Markers: I stopped counting at 12
States traveled in: 2
Niamh-approved Businesses patronized: 2

 Along the Snake River, just on the Idaho side.

Self-explanatory

The top of our climb today, about 20 miles west of the state border.

Along the Snake River again, just West of Clarkston, Wash.

 In front of the bridge that carried us into Idaho

There were a lot of windmills today. A good day to charge your phone.